An Entrance Exams 2026 is a competitive test that decides admission to UG, PG, diploma and doctoral programmes at the lakhs of colleges, universities and institutes across India. Generally, the most prestigious exams are conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, NBEMS, NLUs, AICTE, IGNOU and several state CET cells. Furthermore, entrance exams are held at the national, state and university / institute levels, with modes ranging from offline pen-and-paper to online Computer-Based Test (CBT). Moreover, the very first entrance examination in India was conducted by the University of Calcutta in 1857. This page is the master index to every major entrance exams in India in 2026 — grouped by stream and level, with the eligibility, exam pattern, preparation strategy, top colleges and FAQs that aspirants need to plan their admission journey.
- Conducted by the NTA, IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, NBEMS, NLUs, AICTE, AIMA, CDAC, IGNOU and several state CET cells.
- Cover admission to UG, PG, integrated, diploma, professional and doctoral programmes across every discipline.
- Class 10, Class 12, Bachelor’s and Master’s degree are the standard feeder qualifications depending on the course level.
- Most major exams are now conducted in online Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode; a few legacy exams (NEET UG, certain state CETs) remain offline pen-and-paper.
- Importantly, an entrance exam score is the single most decisive factor for admission to AIIMS, IITs, IIMs, NLUs, NIPER, NIT, AIIMS PG, IIIT and most top institutes in India.
Quick Highlights – Entrance Exams in India
| Categories Listed | 20 | Levels | National • State • Institute |
| Course Levels | UG / PG / Integrated / Diploma / PhD | Major Bodies | NTA, NBEMS, IITs, IIMs, NLUs |
| First Held | 1857, University of Calcutta | Exam Mode | CBT / Pen-and-Paper |
What is Entrance Exams 2026?
An entrance admission test is a standardised competitive examination conducted at the national, state or institute level to shortlist candidates for college admission. Generally, every major stream has its own apex entrance — JEE Main and JEE Advanced for engineering, NEET for medicine, CAT for MBA, CLAT for law, GATE for M.Tech and PSU recruitment, CUET for central university UG admissions, and CUET PG for central university PG admissions. Furthermore, state CET cells conduct dedicated tests — WBJEE, MHT CET, KCET, AP EAMCET, TS EAMCET and similar tests in every state. Additionally, deemed and private universities run their own institute-level tests like BITSAT, VITEEE, SRMJEEE, CUSAT CAT and XAT.
Entrance Exam 2026 – Complete Category List
Browse every major entrance exam category in India through the dedicated hub pages below. In particular, each hub lists the full set of national, state and institute-level exams, eligibility, exam pattern, preparation strategy and top colleges in that stream.
Engineering, Tech & Architecture Streams
- Engineering Entrance Exams — JEE Main, JEE Advanced, GATE, BITSAT, VITEEE, state CETs and more
- Architecture Entrance Exams — NATA, JEE Main Paper 2, CEED and architecture / planning entrances
- Computer Application Entrance Exams — NIMCET, IPU CET, TANCET MCA, state-level MCA CETs
- Science Entrance Exams — JAM, NEST, CMI Entrance, TIFR GS, JEST, ICMR JRF, RIE CEE
Medical & Allied Health Streams
- Medical Entrance Exams — NEET UG, NEET PG, INI CET, NEET MDS, NEET SS, INI SS, FMGE, AIAPGET
- Nursing Entrance Exams — AIIMS B.Sc / M.Sc Nursing, PGIMER, IGNOU OPENNET, state nursing CETs
- Paramedical Entrance Exams — AIIPMR, PGIMER Paramedical, UP CPET, RUHS MPH, SMFWBEE
- Pharmacy Entrance Exams — GPAT, NIPER JEE, BITSAT, MHT CET, state EAMCETs
Management, Law, Commerce & Hospitality
- MBA Entrance Exams — CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, SNAP, NMAT, IIFT, IBSAT, ATMA
- Law Entrance Exams — CLAT, AILET, LSAT India, MH CET Law, state LAWCETs
- Commerce Entrance Exams — IPMAT, JIPMAT, IPU CET BBA, DUET, NPAT, CUET (Commerce track)
- Hotel Management Entrance Exams — NCHMCT JEE, IIHM e-CHAT, AIMA UGAT, IPU CET, state CETs
Arts, Humanities, Media & Common
- Common Entrance Exams — CUET (UG), CUET PG, IPU CET, TISS NET, and pan-discipline university CETs
- Education Entrance Exams — B.Ed CETs (IGNOU, BHU, IPU CET, state B.Ed entrances) and CTET / TET
- Media & Journalism Entrance Exams — IIMC, Symbiosis SIMC, Xavier Institute of Communications, IPU CET BJMC
- Design Entrance Exams — NID DAT, NIFT, UCEED, CEED, Pearl Academy and other design entrances
- Agricultural Entrance Exams — ICAR AIEEA UG / PG / AICE-JRF, state agriculture CETs
Diploma, Polytechnic, ITI & Lateral Entry
- Diploma & Polytechnic Entrance Exams — JEECUP, POLYCET, DCECE, Karnataka Polytechnic, MP PPT, MH Diploma, CDAC C-CAT
- ITI Admission — State-wise Industrial Training Institute admissions (UP, Bihar, MP, Maharashtra, Karnataka, etc.)
- Lateral Entry Entrance Exams — AP / TS ECET, BCECE LE, JELET, DCET, OJEE, CUSAT CAT, UKSEE, LEET
Top National Level Entrance Exam 2026
Of the dozens of national-level exams, the following are typically the most widely written and most prestigious admission tests in India in 2026.
| Exam | Stream | Conducting Body |
|---|---|---|
| JEE Main | B.E. / B.Tech (NITs, IIITs, GFTIs) | NTA |
| JEE Advanced | B.Tech at the 23 IITs | IITs (in rotation) |
| NEET (UG) | MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BVSc | NTA |
| NEET PG | MD, MS, PG Diploma | NBEMS |
| CAT | MBA / PGP at IIMs and top B-Schools | IIMs (in rotation) |
| CLAT | BA LLB and LLM at NLUs | NLUs Consortium |
| GATE | M.Tech and PSU recruitment | IITs / IISc (in rotation) |
| CUET (UG) | UG admission at central universities | NTA |
| CUET PG | PG admission at central universities | NTA |
| XAT | MBA at XLRI Jamshedpur, XIMB, GIM | XLRI Jamshedpur |
| GPAT | M.Pharm at AICTE-approved institutes | NTA |
| JAM | M.Sc at IITs and IISc | IITs (in rotation) |
Types of Admission Tests in India
Chiefly, entrance exams in India can be divided into three broad categories based on the level of conduct and the geographical scope of acceptance.
National Level Entrance Exam 2026
These exams are conducted across the country and accepted by colleges / universities / institutes pan-India. Candidates from any state can apply. Notably, the National Testing Agency (NTA), set up by the Government of India in 2017, now conducts a growing share of these tests including NEET, JEE Main, CUET, CUET PG, CMAT, GPAT and IIFT MBA IB.
| Exam Name | Conducting Body |
|---|---|
| NEET | NTA |
| JEE Main | NTA |
| CAT | IIMs (in rotation) |
| CLAT | NLUs Consortium |
| GATE | IITs / IISc (in rotation) |
| CUET | NTA |
| NEET PG | NBEMS |
State Level Admission Tests
These exams are held across one state, with qualifying candidates admitted to colleges / universities / institutes within that state. Usually, only domiciles of that state can apply, though eligibility criteria vary by exam.
| Exam Name | State |
|---|---|
| WBJEE | West Bengal |
| UPSEE / UPCET | Uttar Pradesh |
| MHT CET | Maharashtra |
| Rajasthan JET | Rajasthan |
| KCET | Karnataka |
| AP EAMCET / TS EAMCET | Andhra Pradesh / Telangana |
| OJEE | Odisha |
University / Institute Level Admission Tests
These exams are typically held at all-India level, but the score is accepted by only one university or a small group of affiliated institutes. Hence, they offer a route to specific institutions rather than broad national admission.
| Exam Name | College / University / Institute |
|---|---|
| VITEEE | Vellore Institute of Technology |
| BITSAT | BITS Pilani / Hyderabad / Goa |
| CUSAT CAT | Cochin University of Science & Technology |
| XAT | XLRI Jamshedpur |
| SRMJEEE | SRM Institute of Science & Technology |
| LPU NEST | Lovely Professional University |
| NMIMS NPAT | NMIMS Mumbai & affiliated campuses |
Courses Covered by Indian Admission Tests
Indian entrance exams cover practically every formal academic discipline, from Class-10-based ITI trades to doctoral PhD programmes. The dominant course families are summarised below.
UG & Integrated Programmes
- B.E. / B.Tech, B.Arch, MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BVSc, BPT, BMLT, B.Pharm, Pharm.D
- BA / B.Sc / B.Com (Hons.), BBA, BBM, BMS, BHM, BJMC, B.Des, B.FTech
- 5-year integrated programmes — IPM (IIMs), BA LLB (NLUs), BBA LLB, B.Tech-M.Tech dual, Integrated M.Sc (IISER, NISER, IIT)
PG & Doctoral Programmes
- MBA, PGDM, PGP, Executive MBA, Fellow Programme in Management (FPM)
- M.Tech, M.E., M.Sc, M.Com, MA, M.Phil, Ph.D.
- MD / MS / MDS / PG Diploma; DM / MCh / DrNB (Super-Specialty)
- LL.M (Master of Laws), M.Pharm, MPT, M.Sc Nursing, MJMC
Diploma & Vocational Programmes
- 3-year Diploma in Engineering (Polytechnic)
- ITI Trades — Electrician, Fitter, Welder, Mechanic, COPA (NCVT-certified)
- D.Pharm, GNM, ANM and similar 1–2 year health-sector diplomas
Eligibility Criteria for Entrance Exam 2026
Eligibility varies by stream and course level. However, the general framework prescribed by UGC, AICTE, NMC, NCVT and Indian Nursing Council is summarised below.
| Level | Academic Qualification | Minimum Marks | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ITI / 10th-based | Class 8 / Class 10 | Pass criteria | Age limit: 14 to 40 years (typical) |
| Diploma / Polytechnic | Class 10 with Mathematics, Science and English | 35–50% (state-dependent) | No upper age limit in most states |
| UG (B.Tech, MBBS, BBA, BA, B.Sc, etc.) | 10+2 in relevant stream | 45–60% aggregate | Stream-specific subject combinations apply |
| PG (MBA, M.Tech, MD, LL.M, etc.) | Bachelor’s degree in relevant stream | 50–55% aggregate | Some PG programmes require entrance plus interview |
| Doctoral (Ph.D.) | Master’s degree in relevant stream | 55–60% aggregate | Research proposal + interview |
Always confirm exam-specific eligibility on the official notification, since many exams additionally specify age, domicile and subject-combination rules.
Mode of Admission Tests in India
Entrance exams in India are conducted in three primary modes. Generally, large national exams have shifted to CBT, but a few legacy paper-based exams still survive.
| Mode | How It Works | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Offline (Pen-and-Paper) | Traditional OMR-based; candidates mark answers on a physical answer sheet | NEET UG, a few state CETs |
| CBT (Computer-Based Test) | Candidates take the exam on a computer at an authorised test centre | JEE Main, CAT, GATE, CUET, NEET PG, INI CET, CLAT |
| Online (Remote Proctored) | Candidates take the exam from home / office with a webcam under remote proctoring | NMAT (some attempts), select institute tests, online MBA assessments |
How to Prepare for an Entrance Exam — Step-by-Step
A structured 6 to 18 month plan — depending on the exam — is ideal for cracking the leading admission tests. Follow these universal steps that apply across streams.
- First, read the latest official notification and syllabus for your target exam and map every topic systematically.
- Next, build strong fundamentals from NCERT and state-board textbooks — most UG entrance exams rely heavily on Class 11 and 12 syllabi.
- For PG entrances, additionally use standard university reference texts and previous year question papers for your specific subject.
- Furthermore, follow a structured study plan covering all units, with weekly micro-tests and monthly assessments to track progress.
- Solve at least the last 10 years of previous question papers — concept patterns and frequently tested topics often repeat.
- Take weekly full-length mock tests on AglaSem Mock Test in the actual exam mode (CBT or OMR) to build stamina and accuracy.
- Stay updated on current affairs (for CLAT, CAT, IIMC, GK-heavy exams) through daily newspaper reading (The Hindu, Indian Express) and a monthly current-affairs digest.
- Finally, in the last month, focus on revision, formula consolidation and mock-test analysis rather than starting new topics; ensure you have admit card, ID proof and a clear plan for the exam day.
Advantages of Admission Tests
India has a population of over 1.4 billion and lakhs of students apply for every popular course. Notably, entrance exams have standardised the candidate-selection process, which earlier varied widely from institution to institution.
- Single platform for selection — One exam evaluates lakhs of applicants on the same metric, replacing inconsistent admission processes.
- Equal opportunity — Every candidate, regardless of school board or institution, is judged on the same paper.
- Aptitude-based selection — Beyond rote knowledge, entrance exams test reasoning, problem-solving, English language and quantitative skills.
- Skill validation — Cracking a tough entrance exam demonstrates the right combination of hard work, time management, stress handling and emotional intelligence.
- Transparency — Result, cutoff and counselling processes are now largely online, reducing scope for bias or favouritism.
- Boost in morale — Shortlisted candidates start their academic journey with the confidence of having earned their seat on merit.
What After Entrance Exams?
The journey does not end with the result. Generally, qualifying candidates go through one or more of the following stages before final admission.
- Counselling — Most centralised admissions are completed through online counselling (JoSAA, CSAB, MCC, NEET PG MCC, NLU CLAT counselling, state CET counselling).
- Group Discussion (GD) — Common at top B-Schools (IIMs, XLRI, SPJIMR) and PG mass communication programmes (IIMC, SIMC) — usually 15 to 30 minutes on a current topic.
- Personal Interview (PI) — Standard final stage at IIMs, XLRI, IIMC, AIIMS PG and most PhD admissions.
- Written Ability Test (WAT) — Conducted by top B-Schools to test writing skills, often replacing or complementing the GD round.
- Document verification & reporting — Final stage where original certificates are checked at the allotted institute.
- Direct admission — A few exams (state CETs, private universities) directly admit qualifying candidates without further screening.
- National Testing Agency (NTA) ↗ — conducts JEE Main, NEET, CUET, CUET PG, CMAT, GPAT, IIFT, JIPMAT, NCHMCT JEE.
- NBEMS ↗ — conducts NEET PG, NEET MDS, NEET SS, FMGE, DNB PDCET.
- AICTE ↗ — apex regulator for engineering, management and pharmacy education.
- UGC ↗ — University Grants Commission, apex body for higher education.
- NMC ↗ — National Medical Commission for medical admission policy.
- DGT ↗ — Directorate General of Training for ITI / NCVT certification.
Entrance Exam 2026 – FAQs
It refers to the entire set of national, state and institute-level admission tests conducted in India in the 2026 admission cycle, across every academic stream — engineering, medical, management, law, design, commerce, arts, science, pharmacy, nursing, paramedical, education, journalism, hotel management, agriculture, diploma / polytechnic, ITI and lateral entry. The most prominent exams include JEE Main, JEE Advanced, NEET, CAT, CLAT, GATE, CUET, NEET PG, GPAT, JAM, XAT and dozens of state CETs.
NEET UG, JEE Advanced, CAT, UPSC CSE and CLAT are widely regarded as the toughest entrance exams in India because of their extreme competition ratios and demanding syllabi. JEE Advanced selects fewer than 18,000 candidates from over 1.5 lakh JEE Main qualifiers for IIT seats; NEET UG sees over 24 lakh aspirants compete for around 1.08 lakh MBBS seats; and CAT sees over 2.3 lakh aspirants compete for under 5000 IIM PGP seats.
Entrance exams are classified into three broad categories — National Level (conducted across the country and accepted pan-India; examples include NEET, JEE Main, CAT, CLAT, GATE, CUET), State Level (conducted within one state and typically restricted to state domiciles; examples include WBJEE, MHT CET, KCET, AP / TS EAMCET, OJEE) and University / Institute Level (conducted at all-India level but accepted by one specific institution or a small group of affiliated institutes; examples include BITSAT, VITEEE, XAT, CUSAT CAT).
The right entrance exam depends on your target career. Engineering aspirants should target JEE Main, JEE Advanced, BITSAT and state engineering CETs. Medical aspirants must qualify NEET UG. Law aspirants take CLAT, AILET or LSAT India. Commerce / management aspirants target IPMAT (5-year IPM), CUET, IPU CET BBA and DUET. Design aspirants take NID DAT, NIFT and UCEED. Science aspirants take CUET, NEST, CMI Entrance or IISER Aptitude Test. Always shortlist based on the actual courses on offer at your target colleges.
Most leading colleges and universities in India require an entrance exam score for admission. Centrally-funded institutions (IITs, NITs, IIITs, IIMs, AIIMS, NLUs, central universities) admit exclusively through entrance exams. State universities use state CETs for technical and professional programmes. However, a few private universities, deemed-to-be universities and Class 12-board-based UG programmes (especially in arts / commerce / general B.Sc / BCA) still admit on the basis of board marks. Always check the institutional admission notification.
The trend of entrance examinations in India began with the University of Calcutta in 1857 — the same year the first three modern Indian universities (Calcutta, Bombay and Madras) were established. The University of Calcutta conducted an examination to determine the eligibility of candidates for admission, and only about 1 in 4 students passed. Today, the system has expanded enormously, with the National Testing Agency (NTA), established in 2017, now conducting the largest national-level entrance exams.
In a Computer-Based Test (CBT), candidates take the exam on a computer at an authorised test centre — answers are marked with a mouse, and most exams provide a virtual calculator. JEE Main, CAT, GATE, CUET, NEET PG and CLAT are CBT-based. In a pen-and-paper exam, candidates write answers on a physical OMR sheet. NEET UG and a handful of state CETs are still pen-and-paper. CBT enables faster result declaration, multiple test windows and reduced logistical overhead, which is why most major exams have transitioned to it.
The official website for JEE Main, NEET, CUET, CMAT, GPAT, IIFT MBA IB and CUET PG is nta.ac.in (National Testing Agency). NEET PG, NEET MDS, NEET SS, FMGE and DNB PDCET are conducted by NBEMS at natboard.edu.in. JEE Advanced is hosted by the conducting IIT (e.g., jeeadv.ac.in). CAT is at iimcat.ac.in (host IIM in rotation). CLAT is at consortiumofnlus.ac.in. GATE is at the host IIT / IISc website. All notifications, application links, admit cards, answer keys and results are released on these official portals.
This page is the master index for the entrance exam 2026 ecosystem in India — covering every major stream, national / state / institute-level test, course families, eligibility framework, exam modes, preparation strategy and counselling pathways. For real-time notifications, always cross-check with the official NTA, NBEMS, AICTE, UGC, NMC or respective state CET / DGT websites linked above. Use the category links above to dive into the dedicated hub page for your stream of interest.
why didnt you added a course for ca and entrance exams
Hello, I want to take admission for Ph.D (law) 2020. Kindly guide me for the same .
Hi, please select the college of your choice to pursue Ph.D (law) and follow the admission process. Each college has their own individual process for admission.
Hi,
I would like to know w,hat is the eligibility criteria for B.pharm. Please guide.
Generally to pursue B.Pharm course, you need to qualify 10+2. However, different universities / colleges have different minimum eligibility requirements. Could you be please a little more specific about your query?
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