The National Testing Agency released its tentative 2026-27 exam calendar in September 2026. It lists JEE Main 2027 Session 1 on 22 to 24 January and 28 to 30 January 2027, UGC NET December 2026 from 14 to 19 December, and CUET PG 2027 across March 2027. NEET UG 2027 and CUET UG 2027 dates are not part of it.
The NTA calendar covers exams planned up to March 2027. NTA has clearly said every date is tentative and can change for administrative, academic, logistical or statutory reasons. The calendar is also not a notification. Each exam will get its own information bulletin with application dates, eligibility and fees.
NTA exam calendar 2026-27 at a glance
Here is the full list of exams and tentative dates as published by NTA and reported by education news outlets on 16 and 17 September 2026.
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| Exam | Tentative date |
|---|---|
| Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) Exam | 6 December 2026 |
| SWAYAM semester exams | 8 to 12 December 2026 |
| Rashtriya Military Schools (RMS) Exam | 13 December 2026 |
| UGC NET December 2026 | 14 to 19 December 2026 (buffer: 20 and 21 December) |
| Joint CSIR UGC NET December 2026 | 20 and 21 December 2026 |
| NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 | 10 January 2027 |
| SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 | 10 January 2027 |
| JEE Main 2027 Session 1 | 22 to 24 and 28 to 30 January 2027 (buffer: 31 January) |
| AISSEE 2027 (Sainik Schools) | 31 January 2027 |
| CMAT 2027 | 7 February 2027 |
| NITTT Part 1 | 26 and 27 February 2027 |
| CUET PG 2027 | 1 to 5, 8 to 20 and 24 to 25 March 2027 (buffer: 30 and 31 March) |
| NITTT Part 2 | 5 and 7 March 2027 |
JEE Main 2027 Session 1: what we know
The first session of JEE Main 2027 is scheduled over six days in two blocks: 22 to 24 January and 28 to 30 January 2027. NTA has kept 31 January as a buffer day in case any shift has to be rescheduled. As in earlier years, the exam is computer based and held in multiple shifts.
NTA has not yet announced the Session 2 dates, the registration window or the information bulletin for 2027. In past cycles, Session 1 registration opened around late October or early November, so Class 12 students should keep their documents ready. A clear photograph, signature, Class 10 certificate and a working mobile number and Aadhaar details usually help the form go through smoothly.
JEE Main scores are used for admission to NITs, IIITs and other centrally funded technical institutes, and top scorers qualify for JEE Advanced, the gateway to the IITs. Students planning their year can read more exam guides in our Education section.
UGC NET and CSIR NET December 2026
The December 2026 cycle of UGC NET is planned for 14 to 19 December, with 20 and 21 December as buffer days. UGC NET decides eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship, Assistant Professor posts and PhD admissions in Indian universities.
On 8 October 2026, NTA posted a notice inviting online applications for the Joint CSIR UGC NET December 2026, which covers science subjects such as chemical, life, physical, mathematical and earth sciences. The calendar places this exam on 20 and 21 December. As of early October, reports said the separate UGC NET December 2026 bulletin had not yet been released. Candidates should check ugcnet.nta.ac.in and csirnet.nta.ac.in regularly.
CUET PG 2027 and CMAT 2027
CUET PG 2027 is spread over most of March 2027: 1 to 5 March, 8 to 20 March and 24 to 25 March, with 30 and 31 March kept as buffer days. CUET PG is used by central universities and many state and private universities for postgraduate admissions.
CMAT 2027, the Common Management Admission Test used by AICTE-approved management institutes, is listed for 7 February 2027. Students in their final year of graduation who are targeting an MBA or PGDM should plan revision around this date. If you are also weighing the cost of a degree, our Finance section covers education loans and savings.
School-level and other exams in the calendar
The calendar is not only for college aspirants. Several exams for school students and teachers are also listed:
- RIMC Exam (6 December 2026): for admission to the Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun.
- RMS Exam (13 December 2026): for the Rashtriya Military Schools. NTA invited online applications for RMS CET 2026 in late September.
- AISSEE 2027 (31 January 2027): the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Exam for Class 6 and Class 9 admissions.
- SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 (10 January 2027): for the government scheme that places meritorious Scheduled Caste students in reputed residential schools.
- NIFT Entrance Exam 2027 (10 January 2027): for design and fashion technology programmes at NIFT campuses.
- NITTT Part 1 and Part 2: for the technical teacher training programme, in February and March 2027.
- SWAYAM (8 to 12 December 2026): end-term exams for students who took online SWAYAM courses for credit.
What is missing: NEET UG 2027 and CUET UG 2027
The calendar only runs up to March 2027, so it does not include the big summer exams. As of 8 October 2026, NTA has not announced the dates for NEET UG 2027, CUET UG 2027 or JEE Main 2027 Session 2. Any date you see online for these exams is a guess based on earlier years.
For reference only, NEET UG has usually been held in early May in recent years, and CUET UG in May and June. Students should not book travel or coaching schedules on that basis. Wait for the official notice on nta.ac.in or neet.nta.nic.in.
How to use the calendar for planning
A tentative calendar is still useful. It tells you roughly when exams fall, so you can avoid clashes and plan mock tests. A few practical steps help:
- Mark the buffer days too. If NTA moves a shift, it is usually into the buffer window, so keep those days free.
- Watch for clashes. CBSE Class 12 practicals and pre-boards run in January and February. JEE Main 2027 Session 1 falls in the same period, so plan your revision early.
- Bookmark only official sites. Use nta.ac.in and the exam-specific NTA portals. Fake websites often copy NTA branding to collect fees.
- Keep documents ready. Have scanned copies of your photo, signature, category certificate and PwD certificate, if any, in the size NTA usually asks for.
- Read each bulletin fully. Fees, eligibility and syllabus can change from one year to the next, so do not rely on last year’s rules.
Students who want to manage screen time and study apps during preparation can also find useful reads in our Technology section.
Frequently asked questions
When is JEE Main 2027 Session 1?
According to NTA’s tentative calendar, JEE Main 2027 Session 1 will be held on 22 to 24 January and 28 to 30 January 2027, with 31 January as a buffer day.
Has NTA announced the NEET UG 2027 exam date?
No. As of 8 October 2026, the NEET UG 2027 date has not been announced. The current calendar covers exams only up to March 2027.
When is UGC NET December 2026?
The tentative dates are 14 to 19 December 2026, with 20 and 21 December as buffer days. The Joint CSIR UGC NET is planned for 20 and 21 December.
Are the dates in the NTA calendar final?
No. NTA has said all dates are tentative and can change. Final dates will be confirmed in each exam’s information bulletin and admit card notices.
Sources: National Testing Agency, Careers360 on JEE Main 2027 dates, CareerIndia on the NTA calendar 2026-27.
