The Hotel Management Entrance Exam 2026 is the gateway for admission to BHM, BHMCT, MHM, MHMCT and integrated hospitality programmes at Indian colleges and universities. Generally, the most prominent national-level test is NCHMCT JEE, conducted by the National Testing Agency on behalf of NCHMCT for admission to IHMs across India. Moreover, several state CET cells and private hospitality institutes run their own admission tests. Furthermore, hotel management aspirants can also use general aptitude tests such as AIMA UGAT and IPU CET for hospitality programmes at participating universities. This page lists every major hotel management admission test in India along with eligibility, exam pattern, important details and preparation tips — see the full list of entrance exams in other streams too.
- Conducted by NTA (for NCHMCT JEE), state CET cells, and several leading hospitality institutes.
- Cover admission to BHM, BHMCT, BSc Hospitality, MHM, MHMCT and diploma programmes.
- Generally test English, General Knowledge, Numerical Ability, Reasoning and Aptitude for the Service Sector.
- Most exams are conducted in online Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode with multiple-choice questions.
- Importantly, IHMs (Institutes of Hotel Management) under NCHMCT enjoy industry recognition across the global hospitality sector.
Quick Highlights – Hotel Management Admission
| Exams Listed | 10+ | Levels | National • State • Institute |
| Course Levels | UG / PG / Diploma | Apex Body | NCHMCT, Ministry of Tourism |
| BHM Duration | 3 to 4 Years | Exam Mode | Online CBT (mostly) |
What is Hotel Management Entrance Exam 2026?
A hotel management admission test is a competitive examination conducted at national, state or institute level to shortlist candidates for BHM, BHMCT, MHM and integrated hospitality programmes. Generally, the most respected national-level test is NCHMCT JEE, conducted by NTA on behalf of NCHMCT for admission to IHMs and partnering institutes across India. Furthermore, IIHM e-CHAT is the entry test for IIHM campuses, while AIMA UGAT is accepted for BHM and BBA in Hospitality at many participating universities. Additionally, state CETs such as MAH BHMCT CET, AIHMCT (Karnataka), PUTHAT (Punjab) and GNIHM JET (West Bengal) admit candidates to state-level hospitality programmes.
Hotel Management Entrance Exam 2026 – Complete List
The complete list of hotel management admission exams in India, grouped by level, is given below. In particular, click any exam name to see its full details — dates, application form, syllabus, admit card, answer key, result and counselling.
National Level Hotel Management Entrance Exam 2026
| Name of Exam | Full Form | Conducting Body |
|---|---|---|
| NCHMCT JEE | National Council for Hotel Management Joint Entrance Examination | NTA on behalf of NCHMCT |
| IIHM e-CHAT | International Institute of Hotel Management Common Hospitality Admission Test | IIHM |
| AIMA UGAT | All India Management Association Under Graduate Aptitude Test | AIMA |
State Level Hotel Management Entrance Exams
| State | Entrance Exam |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | – |
| Arunachal Pradesh | – |
| Assam | – |
| Bihar | – |
| Chhattisgarh | – |
| Delhi | IPU CET |
| Goa | – |
| Gujarat | – |
| Haryana | – |
| Himachal Pradesh | – |
| Jharkhand | – |
| Karnataka | AIHMCT |
| Kerala | – |
| Madhya Pradesh | – |
| Maharashtra | MAH BHMCT CET |
| MAH MHMCT CET | |
| BVP CET | |
| Manipur | – |
| Meghalaya | – |
| Mizoram | – |
| Nagaland | – |
| Odisha | SAAT |
| Punjab | PUTHAT |
| Rajasthan | – |
| Sikkim | – |
| Tamil Nadu | – |
| Telangana | – |
| Tripura | – |
| Uttar Pradesh | – |
| Uttarakhand | UKSEE |
| West Bengal | GNIHM JET |
Top Exams for Hotel Management Admission in 2026
Of the exams listed above, the following are typically the most widely accepted and competitive options for hotel management aspirants in 2026.
| Exam | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| NCHMCT JEE | NTA-conducted national test for admission to 21 Central IHMs, 25 State IHMs, 1 PSU IHM and 13 Private IHMs across India — the most recognised hospitality entrance. |
| IIHM e-CHAT | Entry test for IIHM campuses at Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and other centres. |
| MAH BHMCT CET | Maharashtra state-level CET for BHMCT admission at COEP, IHM Mumbai (state quota) and other Maharashtra hospitality institutes. |
| IPU CET | Gateway to BHM, BHMCT and BBA-T&TM at IP University-affiliated Delhi institutes including USHM. |
| AIMA UGAT | National-level UG aptitude test accepted for BHM and hospitality programmes at AIMA-affiliated institutes. |
| GNIHM JET | Guru Nanak Institute of Hotel Management’s joint entrance test for BHM admission in West Bengal. |
Courses Offered Through These Exams
Hotel management entrance exams open doors to a wide spectrum of diploma, UG and PG programmes across hospitality, catering, tourism and event management.
Diploma & Certificate Courses
- Diploma in Food & Beverage Service
- Diploma in Food Production / Culinary Arts
- Diploma in Front Office Operations
- Diploma in Housekeeping & Accommodation Operations
- Craftsmanship Course in Bakery & Confectionery
Undergraduate (UG) Courses
- B.Sc. (Hospitality & Hotel Administration) — the NCHMCT IHM degree, awarded by IGNOU
- Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM)
- Bachelor of Hotel Management & Catering Technology (BHMCT)
- BBA in Tourism & Travel Management (BBA-TTM)
- B.A. in Culinary Arts / Hospitality Management
Postgraduate (PG) Courses
- M.Sc. in Hospitality Administration
- Master of Hotel Management (MHM)
- Master of Hotel Management & Catering Technology (MHMCT)
- MBA in Hospitality / Tourism Management
Doctoral (PhD) Programmes
- Ph.D. in Hospitality Management / Tourism Studies
- Ph.D. in Hotel & Catering Technology
Eligibility Criteria for Hotel Management Entrance Exam 2026
Eligibility varies by exam and course level. However, the general framework prescribed by NCHMCT and most state authorities is summarised below.
| Level | Academic Qualification | Minimum Marks | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma / Certificate | Class 10 / 10+2 (depending on course) | Pass criteria | No subject restrictions |
| Undergraduate (BHM / BHMCT / B.Sc.) | 10+2 in any stream with English | 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwD) | Age limit: typically 25 years (general); 28 (reserved) |
| Postgraduate (MHM / MHMCT) | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline (BHM preferred) | 50% aggregate | Industry experience preferred at top institutes |
| Doctoral (PhD) | Master’s degree in Hospitality / Tourism / related field | 55% (relaxation for reserved) | Research proposal + interview |
Always confirm exam-specific eligibility on the official notification, since many universities additionally specify age and subject-combination rules.
Common Exam Pattern
Although the exact pattern varies, most hotel management entrance exams share a common structure. Generally, candidates can expect the following.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Online Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 hours (typical) |
| Type of Questions | Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Sections (NCHMCT JEE) | English Language, Numerical Ability, Reasoning & Logical Deduction, General Knowledge & Current Affairs, Aptitude for the Service Sector |
| Approximate Marks | 200 (NCHMCT JEE) |
| Negative Marking | Yes — typically –1 per wrong MCQ in NCHMCT JEE |
| Medium | English & Hindi (NCHMCT JEE); English-only at most other exams |
How to Prepare — Step-by-Step Plan
A structured 4 to 6 month plan is usually enough to crack most hotel management admission tests, provided the basics of English, reasoning and general awareness are strong. Follow these steps:
- First, read the latest official syllabus for your target exam (NCHMCT JEE / IIHM e-CHAT / state CET, etc.) and map every topic systematically.
- Next, build strong English fundamentals — grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension and synonyms / antonyms.
- For Numerical Ability, additionally revise Class 10 Mathematics — arithmetic, percentages, ratio, profit-loss and basic algebra are commonly tested.
- Practise Reasoning daily through topic-wise drills — series, syllogism, analogy, coding-decoding and Venn diagrams are key.
- Stay updated on current affairs, particularly tourism, hospitality, business and Indian polity — read a national daily and follow PIB updates.
- For Aptitude for the Service Sector, additionally rehearse interpersonal-skill and situational-judgement questions through standard guides.
- Furthermore, take weekly full-length mock tests on AglaSem Mock Test in CBT mode to build speed and accuracy.
- Finally, prepare for the Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GDPI) round — IHMs assess communication, grooming and service attitude at this stage.
Top Hotel Management Colleges in India
India has more than 60 NCHMCT-affiliated IHMs and several premier hospitality institutes. Notably, the following are among the most prestigious destinations admitting candidates through hotel management entrance test scores.
| Institute | Location | Admission Route |
|---|---|---|
| IHM Pusa | New Delhi | NCHMCT JEE |
| IHM Mumbai | Mumbai | NCHMCT JEE |
| IHM Bengaluru | Bengaluru | NCHMCT JEE |
| IHM Chennai | Chennai | NCHMCT JEE |
| IHM Kolkata | Kolkata | NCHMCT JEE |
| IHM Hyderabad / Goa / Lucknow / Bhopal / Bhubaneswar / Guwahati | Various | NCHMCT JEE |
| Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration (WGSHA) | Manipal | Manipal MET |
| Christ University — Department of Hotel Management | Bengaluru | Christ University entrance |
| Oberoi Centre of Learning & Development | Delhi NCR | OCLD aptitude + interview |
| IIHM (Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Jaipur) | Various | IIHM e-CHAT |
Career Scope After Hotel Management Course
A BHM, BHMCT or MHM degree obtained through any hotel management admission test typically opens up roles across hotels, restaurants, cruise lines, airlines, event management and corporate hospitality. Notably, the hospitality industry today offers global mobility and diverse career paths.
- Hotel operations — Hotel Manager, Front Office Manager, Executive Housekeeper, F&B Manager at Taj, Oberoi, ITC, Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton.
- Culinary & F&B — Chef de Partie, Sous Chef, Executive Chef, Restaurant Manager, Sommelier.
- Travel & tourism — Travel Consultant, Tour Operator, Cruise-Line Hospitality Officer, Airline Cabin Crew Trainer.
- Events & MICE — Event Manager, Banquet Manager, Wedding Planner, MICE Consultant.
- Corporate hospitality — Corporate Hospitality Manager at MNCs, Facility Manager, Customer Experience Manager.
- Higher studies & abroad — Master’s in Hospitality Management at Cornell, Lausanne, Les Roches, Glion, ETH Zurich.
- NCHMCT ↗ — National Council for Hotel Management & Catering Technology.
- National Testing Agency (NTA) ↗ — conducting body for NCHMCT JEE.
- Respective state CET cell / DTE websites for state-level hotel management admission.
- Official website of the individual institute (IIHM, OCLD, IHM, Christ University, etc.) for institute-level tests.
Hotel Management Entrance Exam 2026 – FAQs
It refers to the set of national, state and institute-level tests conducted in India for admission to BHM, BHMCT, B.Sc. Hospitality, MHM and MHMCT programmes. The most prominent national-level exam is NCHMCT JEE, conducted by NTA on behalf of NCHMCT. Additionally, IIHM e-CHAT, AIMA UGAT and several state CETs serve as alternative routes.
NCHMCT JEE is generally considered the best hotel management entrance exam in India because it is the gateway to 21 Central IHMs (Pusa Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and others), 25 State IHMs, 1 PSU IHM and 13 Private IHMs. The IHM Pusa B.Sc. (HHA) degree is among the most respected hospitality qualifications globally.
Yes. Hotel management entrance exams are stream-agnostic and accept candidates from Science, Commerce or Arts streams in Class 12. The only mandatory requirement is English as a subject in Class 10 or 12, since hospitality is a language-intensive industry. Mathematics is helpful but not generally compulsory.
B.Sc. (Hospitality & Hotel Administration) is the 3-year degree awarded jointly by NCHMCT and IGNOU to candidates of NCHMCT JEE — it is the IHM degree. BHM (Bachelor of Hotel Management) is a 3- or 4-year university degree offered by state and private universities. Both qualify candidates for hospitality careers, but the IHM B.Sc. (HHA) enjoys stronger industry recognition.
The age limit for NCHMCT JEE is typically 25 years for general / OBC-NCL / EWS candidates and 28 years for SC / ST / PwD candidates, calculated as of 1 July of the admission year. The age limit may, however, vary year-on-year — always check the official information bulletin before applying.
NCHMCT JEE is considered moderately difficult. The English and Reasoning sections require strong fundamentals, while the Aptitude for the Service Sector section often determines final ranks. Although the syllabus is not exceptionally heavy, the competition is high because of the limited number of seats at premier IHMs like Pusa, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Yes. India’s hospitality, travel and tourism sector is one of the fastest-growing service industries, with strong demand for trained professionals at hotels, cruise lines, airlines, MICE companies and corporate hospitality wings. Furthermore, an IHM or BHM degree offers global mobility — graduates frequently work in the Middle East, Europe, Singapore and the US.
The official website for NCHMCT JEE is nchmjee.nta.nic.in, maintained by the National Testing Agency, in coordination with NCHMCT (nchm.gov.in). All notifications, application links, admit cards, answer keys and results are released on these official portals.
This page is a comprehensive reference for the hotel management entrance exam 2026 ecosystem in India — covering national, state and institute-level admission tests, course options, eligibility, exam pattern, preparation strategy and career outcomes. For real-time notifications, always cross-check with the official NCHMCT, NTA or respective state CET websites linked above.
Sir i have forgotten to apply for NCHMCT JEE exam.now how can it go for this exam ?
Hi,
You have to fill the form next time.
I also forget to apply for NCHMCT JEE exam. Now, is there any way to apply for this exam ?
Hi,
There are many exams:-
Army Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology (AIHMCT)
Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (BVP CET HM) 2019
Common Hotel Admission Test by IIHM (e-CHAT)
Guru Nanak Institute of Hotel Management Joint Entrance Test (GNIHM JET) 2019
Maharashtra Hotel Management Common Entrance Test (MAH HM CET)
National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology Joint Entrance Exam (NCHMCT JEE)
Panjab University Tourism and Hospitality Aptitude Test (PUTHAT)
WBJEE Joint Entrance Examination For Admission to Bachelor Courses of Hotel Management & Research (JEHOM)
Sir actually I forgotten to apply for nchmct jee exam now there is any chance to get admission in IHM institute Mumbai?
Hi,
No, but there is other entrance exams as well.
Are there is any classes for preparation of hotel management entrance exams?
Hi,
You can join according to yourself.
In which college I will get admission through JEHOM ?
Sir, I want to know the dates when this exams are helding
NCHMCT exams next year 2020 dates
Sir i want to do hotel management fron ihm bhopal can u plz tell me which entrance exam I should clear for admission…
Sir right know I m in class 12 from commerce so I want to clear NCHMCT JEE exmas .so what is the processor for me??? Plz help me.
I also want to give this exam but i don’t know anything about it . Plz help me in this
Sir I am in 10th standard so can I take admission in hotel management entrance exam
Sir is there any coaching classes to clear these exams.
Hi sir my friend has a passion to do hotel management and his age is 23now is there any chance to write entrance exam
Yes, there are chances to hotel management program. Please select the course and college and check the admission details. You can also let us know your choice and we can also help you out!