JEE Main, CUET PG, UGC NET: NTA releases revised exam calendar for 2026-27

The National Testing Agency (NTA) released a revised examination calendar on September 16, 2026, outlining proposed dates for several national-level entrance and eligibility examinations scheduled between December 2026 and March 2027. This calendar aims to provide greater transparency and predictability for candidates preparing for these examinations.

The schedule covers 14 competitive examinations, including major tests such as JEE Main, CUET PG, and UGC NET. The NTA stated that this initiative is intended to assist candidates, schools, and universities in planning their academic preparations effectively, acknowledging India’s tightly linked admissions ecosystem where students often prepare for multiple exams simultaneously.

Revised Schedule for Key Entrance Examinations

The NTA’s calendar details the proposed dates for several prominent examinations. JEE Main 2027 Session 1 is tentatively scheduled for January 22-24 and January 28-30, 2027, with January 31, 2027, designated as a buffer day. The registration process for JEE Main 2027 Session 1 has already commenced.

The Common University Entrance Test (Post-Graduate), CUET PG 2027, is scheduled across multiple dates in March 2027, specifically from March 1-5, March 8, March 12-20, and March 24-25, with March 30-31, 2027, reserved as buffer dates. The UGC NET December 2026 cycle is set for December 14-19, 2026, with buffer days on December 20-21, 2026.

Tentative Nature of Dates and Official Advisories

The dates provided in the examination calendar are tentative and may be subject to change. A senior official from the NTA stated, “The proposed schedule for NTA examinations from December 2026 to March 2027 has been released. Dates are tentative and may undergo changes owing to administrative, academic, statutory, logistical or other unforeseen circumstances.” This flexibility is a standard practice to accommodate various factors that may arise.

The NTA has advised candidates to regularly check its official website, nta.ac.in, for further announcements and updates. The calendar does not include specific details regarding registration dates, fees, eligibility rules, syllabus updates, or admit card release schedules. Applicants for JEE Main 2027 Session 1 are specifically instructed to complete their application process through the official JEE Main website and follow all instructions issued by the NTA.

Overview of the NTA Examination Cycle

The released calendar covers examinations spread across four months: December 2026, January 2027, February 2027, and March 2027. This complete scheduling aims to provide a clear roadmap for students and institutions alike.

Besides the major examinations, the calendar also lists dates for other significant tests. The Joint CSIR-UGC NET December 2026 cycle is proposed for December 20-21, 2026. Other examinations include the Rashtriya Indian Military College examination on December 6, 2026, SWAYAM examinations from December 8-12, 2026, and the Rashtriya Military Schools examination on December 13, 2026. The Army Cadets College examination is proposed for January 4, 2027, while SHRESHTA (NETS) and NIFT entrance examinations are scheduled for January 10, 2027. The All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination will take place on January 31, 2027, and the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is scheduled for February 7, 2027. NITTT (Part 1) is scheduled for February 26-27, 2027, and NITTT (Part 2) for March 5 and March 7, 2027.

Further reading

• JEE Main 2027 safe score: NTA outlines past 5-year cutoff trends for NIT, IIIT admissions
• JEE Main 2026 NIT cutoffs released today, category-wise opening and closing ranks available
• JEE Main admit card: release date and how to download Next step
• Apply for Punjab MSc Food Tech/Nutrition & BTech Food Tech by 2026 Applications open
• VITEEE application form: eligibility, dates and how to apply
• JEE Main: complete exam guide

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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