NTA Exam Calendar 2026-27: JEE Main, UGC NET & CUET PG Dates
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released its proposed examination calendar for December 2026 to March 2027, covering 14 exams including JEE Main Session 1, UGC NET, CSIR UGC NET, CMAT, and CUET PG. Use this schedule to plan your study timeline early.
Note: All dates below are tentative and proposed by NTA (notification dated 17-09-2026). Administrative, statutory, or logistical factors may change the final schedule — always cross-check with nta.ac.in before finalizing your plans.
NTA Exam Calendar 2026-27 — Full Schedule
| Exam | Proposed Date(s) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| December 2026 — 5 Exams | ||
| Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) | 06 Dec 2026 | 1 Day |
| SWAYAM | 08–12 Dec 2026 | 5 Days |
| Rashtriya Military Schools (RMS) | 13 Dec 2026 | 1 Day |
| UGC NET (December Cycle) | 14–19 Dec 2026 (Buffer: 20–21 Dec) | 6 Days |
| Joint CSIR UGC NET (December Cycle) | 20–21 Dec 2026 | 2 Days |
| January 2027 — 5 Exams | ||
| Army Cadets College (ACC) | 04 Jan 2027 | 1 Day |
| SHRESHTA (NETS) | 10 Jan 2027 | 1 Day |
| NIFT Entrance Examination | 10 Jan 2027 | 1 Day |
| JEE (Main) — Session 1 | 22–24, 28–30 Jan 2027 (Buffer: 31 Jan) | 6 Days |
| All India Sainik Schools Entrance Exam (AISSEE) | 31 Jan 2027 | 1 Day |
| February 2027 — 2 Exams | ||
| Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) | 07 Feb 2027 | 1 Day |
| NITTT — Part 1 | 26–27 Feb 2027 | 2 Days |
| March 2027 — 2 Exams | ||
| CUET (PG) | 01–05, 08, 12–20, 24–25 Mar 2027 (Buffer: 30–31 Mar) | 17 Days |
| NITTT — Part 2 | 05 & 07 Mar 2027 | 2 Days |
Source: NTA official notification, as on date 17-09-2026. Dates are proposed and subject to change.
JEE Main 2027 Session 1 — Exam Dates
JEE Main is the primary engineering entrance exam in India, used for admission to NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded technical institutes, and it also serves as the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced.
- Session 1 dates: 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, and 30 January 2027
- Buffer date: 31 January 2027
- Total exam window: 6 days across two blocks in January
Structuring your prep around these dates? Practice with a full-length JEE Main Online Test Series or step up to JEE Advanced Online Test Series once your Session 1 attempt is done.
Month-Wise Exam Details
December 2026
- RIMC (06 Dec): Entry to Class 8 at Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun; tests Maths, General Knowledge, and English for a future in defence services.
- SWAYAM (08–12 Dec): Certification exam for learners enrolled in SWAYAM online courses, letting university students and professionals earn academic credit.
- RMS (13 Dec): Entrance to Classes 6 and 9 in Rashtriya Military Schools, testing English, Maths, and Intelligence.
- UGC NET (14–19 Dec, buffer 20–21 Dec): Determines eligibility for Assistant Professor roles and JRF in Indian universities.
- Joint CSIR UGC NET (20–21 Dec): Covers Life, Physical, and Chemical Sciences for JRF or lectureship eligibility in science research.
January 2027
- ACC (04 Jan): Allows serving Army, Navy, and Air Force soldiers to become commissioned officers via the Indian Military Academy.
- SHRESHTA / NETS (10 Jan): Residential education entrance for meritorious Scheduled Caste students into Class 9 or 11 at affiliated private schools.
- NIFT Entrance Exam (10 Jan): Admission to design, management, and technology programs at the National Institute of Fashion Technology.
- JEE Main Session 1 (22–24, 28–30 Jan, buffer 31 Jan): See dedicated section above.
- AISSEE (31 Jan): Entrance to Classes 6 and 9 in Sainik Schools, building a foundation toward the National Defence Academy.
February 2027
- CMAT (07 Feb): Aptitude test for AICTE-approved management programs, evaluating quantitative technique, logical reasoning, and language comprehension.
- NITTT Part 1 (26–27 Feb): First phase of the National Initiative for Technical Teachers Training certification.
March 2027
- CUET PG (01–05, 08, 12–20, 24–25 Mar, buffer 30–31 Mar): Single-window entrance for postgraduate programs at central and state universities.
- NITTT Part 2 (05 & 07 Mar): Second phase of technical teacher certification.
Are NTA Exam Dates Tentative?
Yes. NTA explicitly marks every date in this calendar as proposed, not final. Administrative, statutory, logistical, or other unforeseen circumstances can shift a date, so treat this calendar as a planning guide and always verify final dates through the official NTA notification for each exam before booking travel, leave, or coaching schedules around them.
How to Use This Calendar to Plan Your Preparation
For JEE Main aspirants
With Session 1 starting 22 Jan 2027, aim to finish your full syllabus by mid-December 2026, leaving January for revision and full-length mocks via the JEE Main Test Series.
For UGC NET / CSIR NET candidates
The December cycle falls in the first three weeks of the month — block out November for focused revision rather than fresh study.
For CUET PG candidates
The exam spans nearly the whole of March across multiple slots — check your specific university/course window as soon as NTA confirms slot allotment.
For CMAT candidates
A single-day exam on 07 Feb 2027 means your last month of prep (January) should be almost entirely mocks and sectional tests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official date for JEE Main 2027 Session 1?
NTA has scheduled JEE Main 2027 Session 1 for 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, and 30 January 2027, with 31 January 2027 kept as a buffer date.
Are the dates in the NTA Exam Calendar 2026-27 final?
No, NTA marks all dates as tentative. The final schedule may change due to administrative or logistical reasons, so candidates should keep checking official NTA notifications.
When does the UGC NET December 2026 cycle take place?
The UGC NET December 2026 cycle is scheduled from 14 to 19 December 2026, with 20–21 December kept as buffer days.
Which exam should I take for fashion design courses?
The NIFT Entrance Examination, scheduled for 10 January 2027, is the exam for admission into fashion design and management programs.
Where can I check the latest updates on NTA exam dates?
Always verify the latest confirmed schedules on the official NTA website at nta.ac.in, since dates in this calendar are proposed and can change.
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JEE Main Test Series JEE Advanced Test SeriesReference: NTA official notification, as on date 17-09-2026. All dates are proposed and may be revised by NTA.