NTA exam calendar 2026-27: Check tentative dates for major entrance and eligibility tests

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released its tentative examination calendar for major entrance and eligibility examinations scheduled from December 2026 to March 2027, covering UGC NET, JEE Main, CUET PG, CMAT and other national-level tests.

The calendar, available on the official NTA website at nta.ac.in, includes the proposed schedule for the UGC NET December cycle, Joint CSIR-UGC NET December cycle, JEE Main 2027 Session 1, NIFT Entrance Examination, All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination, Common Management Admission Test (CMAT), NITTT examinations and CUET PG 2027.

NTA has clarified that the dates mentioned in the calendar are tentative and may be revised because of administrative, academic, statutory, logistical or other unforeseen circumstances.

The examination calendar is intended to give prospective candidates, educational institutions and other stakeholders an advance indication of the examination schedule. This will allow them to plan academic activities, preparation and other examination-related arrangements accordingly.

The agency said it is committed to maintaining transparency, predictability and convenience for candidates appearing for its examinations.

NTA Exam Calendar 2026-2027: Check complete schedule (Tentative)

NTA examination calendar 2026-27

The December 2026 schedule begins with the UGC NET December cycle, which is tentatively scheduled from Dec 14 to 19. Dec 20 and 21 have been kept as additional buffer days for the examination.

The Joint CSIR-UGC NET December cycle is scheduled for Dec 20 and 21.

JEE Main 2027 Session 1 is proposed to be conducted on Jan 22 to 24 and Jan 28 to 30. Jan 31 has been kept as a buffer date for the examination.

The NIFT Entrance Examination is scheduled for Jan 10, while the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination is scheduled for Jan 31.

NTA will conduct the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) on Feb 7. The NITTT Part 1 examination is scheduled to follow on Feb 26 and 27.

CUET PG 2027 schedule

The March 2027 examination calendar includes the Common University Entrance Test Postgraduate (CUET PG), which is proposed to be held across multiple dates.

CUET PG is scheduled for March 1 to 5, March 8, March 12 to 20 and March 24 to 25. March 30 and 31 have been kept as buffer dates. NITTT Part 2 is scheduled for March 5 and 7.

NTA to issue detailed exam notifications separately

The agency will separately issue detailed Information Bulletins, notifications and application schedules for the examinations listed in the calendar. Examination-specific notices will be released at the appropriate time.

NTA has specifically stated that the examination calendar does not constitute a notification for any particular examination.

Candidates will therefore need to refer to the detailed notification and Information Bulletin issued for their respective examinations for the applicable rules and schedules.

Candidates are advised to regularly check the official NTA website, nta.ac.in, as well as the respective examination portals for the latest information.

Updates will include application schedules, examination city intimation slips, admit cards, answer keys, results and other examination-related details.

NTA has also advised candidates and other stakeholders to rely only on information published through its official website and the respective examination portals.