SWAYAM exam 2026 dates announced: July semester registration tentatively in October

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the schedule for the SWAYAM Exam 2026, covering both the January and July semesters. The January semester exams were conducted from June 17 to 21, 2026, while registration for the upcoming July semester is tentatively set for October 2026, with exams scheduled from December 8 to 12, 2026. These examinations are held across various cities in India, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, New Delhi, and Rajasthan.

The SWAYAM program, an initiative by the Government of India, aims to bridge the digital divide and provide online e-learning resources to all students, including those in disadvantaged areas. The NTA, established by the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India, conducts these exams to assess candidate competency for admissions to premier higher education institutions and to uphold the Education Policy’s three cardinal principles: access, equity, and quality.

SWAYAM January 2026 Semester Overview

The registration window for the SWAYAM January 2026 semester was open from April 15, 2026, to May 11, 2026. The deadline for fee transactions was May 12, 2026, followed by a correction window for application particulars from May 13 to May 15, 2026. The exams for this semester were tentatively held for 900 courses, with June 21 and 22, 2026, designated as buffer dates.

The examination duration for each paper was 180 minutes (3 hours), conducted in two shifts: Shift-I from 09:30 AM to 12:30 PM and Shift-II from 03:00 PM to 06:00 PM. Some papers were administered in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, while others used a hybrid format, combining CBT and paper-pen components. The final score and certificate are issued by the respective National Coordinator after the proctored exams.

Upcoming July 2026 Semester Schedule

For the July 2026 semester, registration is tentatively scheduled to commence in October 2026, with the last date for registration expected in November 2026. The application correction window is also tentatively set for November 2026. Admit cards for the July semester exams are anticipated to be released in December 2026, leading up to the examination dates from December 8 to 12, 2026. The results for the July 2026 semester are expected in January 2027.

Candidates are permitted to apply for a maximum of 10 courses. It is mandatory for candidates to use the same email ID throughout the course duration for both enrolling in courses and registering for exams. Four choices for exam centers are required during the application process. The NTA does not scrutinize eligibility criteria during the application form filling process, and submission of multiple application forms by a single candidate will result in rejection.

Application Fee and Document Requirements

The application fees for the SWAYAM January 2026 semester varied based on category and the number of courses. General (UR) candidates paid ₹750 per course for one course and ₹600 per course for additional courses. For Gen-EWS, OBC-(NCL), SC, ST, PwD, and PwBD categories, the fee was ₹500 per course for one course and ₹400 per course for additional courses. These fees were payable through Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.

Candidates are required to upload specific documents in prescribed formats. A recent passport-size photograph, with 80% face visible against a white background, must be in JPG/JPEG format (10 kb to 200 kb). The signature file should also be in JPG/JPEG format (10 kb to 50 kb). A scanned copy of the PwD/PwBD/UDID certificate, if applicable, is required in PDF format (50 kb to 300 kb). The name on the photo identification must match the name on the Admit Card, with relevant documents needed for any name changes.

SWAYAM Program and Credit Framework

SWAYAM is a program initiated by the Government of India, offering over 2,000 Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) that are interactive and available free of cost. These courses span from Class 9 to 12, undergraduate, postgraduate, and various skill-based/professional development programs. The Ministry of HRD (now Ministry of Education) launched SWAYAM to ensure online e-learning resources are accessible to all, particularly those untouched by the digital revolution.

In a move to integrate online learning into formal education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) issued the ‘Credit Framework for online learning courses through SWAYAM, Regulation 2016’. This regulation permits up to 20% of online courses taken through SWAYAM to be counted for academic credit, thereby promoting the adoption of digital learning within higher education institutions.

Further reading

• NTA SWAYAM July 2026 registration open, apply by October 31
• IIT Roorkee PhD admission 2026-27 spring semester registration open: apply by October 20
• AP PGCET 2026 counselling registration ends today, October 11
• NMAT 2026 registration extended: apply and book slots by October 25
• MGSU PG admission 2026-27 registration extended: apply by 21 October

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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