NTA Exam Calendar 2026-27 Released: JEE Main, UGC NET, CSIR NET, NIFT, CMAT, CUET PG and Other Exam Dates Through March 2027
NTA Exam Calendar 2026-27: The National Testing Agency has released its examination calendar covering major tests scheduled from December 2026 through March 2027, giving candidates an advance timeline for several of India's biggest entrance and eligibility examinations.
The calendar includes proposed dates for UGC NET December 2026, Joint CSIR UGC NET, NIFT Entrance Examination 2027, JEE Main 2027 Session 1, AISSEE 2027, CMAT 2027, NITTT and CUET PG 2027, along with other examinations administered during the period.
Importantly, NTA has described the dates as tentative. They can be changed because of administrative, academic, statutory, logistical or other unforeseen circumstances. Candidates should therefore use the calendar for preparation planning while continuing to check the individual examination notification.
This complete guide covers the NTA exam calendar, JEE Main 2027 dates, UGC NET December 2026, CSIR NET, NIFT 2027, CMAT 2027, CUET PG 2027, AISSEE, SWAYAM, NITTT, application forms, admit cards, results and preparation timelines.
NTA Exam Calendar 2026-27: Major Dates
| Examination | Proposed Date |
|---|---|
| Rashtriya Indian Military College Examination | December 6, 2026 |
| SWAYAM | December 8–12, 2026 |
| Rashtriya Military Schools Examination | December 13, 2026 |
| UGC NET December 2026 | December 14–19, 2026 |
| UGC NET buffer dates | December 20–21, 2026 |
| Joint CSIR UGC NET December 2026 | December 20–21, 2026 |
| NIFT Entrance Examination 2027 | January 10, 2027 |
| JEE Main 2027 Session 1 | January 22–24 and January 28–30, 2027 |
| JEE Main buffer date | January 31, 2027 |
| AISSEE 2027 | January 31, 2027 |
| CMAT 2027 | February 7, 2027 |
| NITTT Part 1 | February 26–27, 2027 |
| CUET PG 2027 | March 1–5, March 8–20 and March 24–25, 2027 |
| NITTT Part 2 | March 5 and 7, 2027 |
Are the NTA Exam Dates Final?
No. Candidates should pay close attention to this point.
The examination calendar provides proposed/tentative dates. NTA has stated that dates may change because of administrative, academic, statutory, logistical or other unforeseen circumstances.
The final exam-specific notification remains important for:
- Application dates.
- Eligibility.
- Exam shifts.
- City information.
- Admit cards.
- Detailed exam pattern.
- Subject schedule.
UGC NET December 2026 Exam Date
The UGC NET December 2026 cycle is proposed to be conducted from December 14 to December 19, 2026.
December 20 and 21 have been identified as buffer dates.
What Is UGC NET?
UGC NET is a national eligibility examination associated with pathways including Assistant Professor eligibility, Junior Research Fellowship and PhD-related admission/eligibility categories under the applicable rules.
UGC NET Important Dates
| Event | Calendar Information |
|---|---|
| Exam cycle | December 2026 |
| Main examination window | December 14–19, 2026 |
| Buffer dates | December 20–21, 2026 |
CSIR UGC NET December 2026
The Joint CSIR UGC NET December 2026 examination is proposed for December 20 and 21, 2026.
UGC NET vs CSIR NET
| UGC NET | Joint CSIR UGC NET |
|---|---|
| Covers notified UGC NET subjects | Primarily science-related subject areas |
| Separate examination process | Separate CSIR-NET process |
| December exam window begins Dec 14 | Proposed for Dec 20–21 |
NIFT 2027 Exam Date
The NIFT Entrance Examination 2027 is proposed for January 10, 2027.
NIFT aspirants should now prepare around the January timeline rather than relying on older tentative February estimates.
JEE Main 2027 Session 1 Exam Dates
JEE Main 2027 Session 1 is proposed across two examination blocks:
- January 22–24, 2027
- January 28–30, 2027
January 31 has been kept as a buffer date.
JEE Main 2027 Schedule
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Session 1 Block 1 | January 22–24, 2027 |
| Session 1 Block 2 | January 28–30, 2027 |
| Buffer date | January 31, 2027 |
Does January 22 Mean Every Student Has an Exam That Day?
No. JEE Main is conducted over multiple dates and shifts. Individual candidates receive their actual examination date, shift and center through the examination process.
JEE Main Application Form 2027
The exam calendar should not be confused with the JEE Main application notification.
The detailed examination bulletin will separately specify:
- Registration date.
- Application deadline.
- Application fee.
- Eligibility.
- Correction window.
- Exam-city information.
- Admit card.
- Paper-specific schedule.
AISSEE 2027 Exam Date
The All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination 2027 is proposed for January 31, 2027.
CMAT 2027 Exam Date
The Common Management Admission Test 2027 is proposed for February 7, 2027.
What Is CMAT?
CMAT is a national-level management entrance examination used by participating institutions for admission to applicable management programs.
CMAT 2027 Registration
The examination calendar establishes the proposed test date but does not replace the detailed CMAT notification.
Candidates should wait for the exam-specific information bulletin for:
- Registration opening date.
- Application deadline.
- Eligibility.
- Fee.
- Correction facility.
- Exam pattern.
- Admit card.
CUET PG 2027 Exam Dates
CUET PG 2027 has one of the longest examination windows in the calendar.
| CUET PG Block | Proposed Dates |
|---|---|
| Block 1 | March 1–5, 2027 |
| Block 2 | March 8–20, 2027 |
| Block 3 | March 24–25, 2027 |
Why Does CUET PG Have Multiple Dates?
CUET PG covers numerous postgraduate subject papers and participating universities. The examination therefore requires a multi-day schedule.
A candidate's exact exam date will depend on the paper/subject schedule subsequently issued for the examination.
CUET PG 2027 Registration
The March examination window does not mean registration has already started.
The separate application notification will establish:
- Application opening date.
- Deadline.
- Subjects/test-paper codes.
- Participating universities.
- Fee.
- Correction window.
- Exam pattern.
NITTT 2027 Dates
The calendar includes National Initiative for Technical Teachers Training examinations in two parts.
| Part | Date |
|---|---|
| NITTT Part 1 | February 26–27, 2027 |
| NITTT Part 2 | March 5 and 7, 2027 |
SWAYAM December 2026
The SWAYAM examination window is proposed from December 8 to December 12, 2026.
Rashtriya Indian Military College Exam
The calendar places the relevant Rashtriya Indian Military College examination on December 6, 2026.
Rashtriya Military Schools Examination
The relevant examination is proposed for December 13, 2026.
Why NTA Released an Advance Calendar
An advance examination calendar can help candidates and educational institutions plan around major national examinations.
For students, it allows better coordination of:
- Board examinations.
- Entrance-test preparation.
- Mock tests.
- Revision.
- Travel.
- University applications.
- Multiple entrance examinations.
JEE Main and Board Exam Preparation
Class 12 students preparing for JEE Main should use the January exam window to build a combined board-plus-JEE revision strategy.
A practical preparation sequence can include:
- Complete the main syllabus.
- Begin chapter-wise revision.
- Increase JEE-level problem practice.
- Solve previous papers.
- Take full mock tests.
- Analyze mistakes.
- Continue NCERT-focused board revision.
- Reserve the final weeks for mixed revision.
UGC NET Preparation Timeline
With the December examination window announced, UGC NET candidates can divide preparation into:
- Paper 1 revision.
- Subject-specific Paper 2 preparation.
- Previous-year questions.
- Mock tests.
- Current/relevant updates where applicable.
CMAT Preparation Timeline
CMAT candidates can use the February 7 target date to plan quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, language comprehension, general awareness and other applicable sections according to the final 2027 pattern.
CUET PG Preparation Timeline
CUET PG candidates should first identify their exact test-paper code and syllabus when the detailed bulletin is released.
The March window gives students additional preparation time after the January and February examination cycle.
Exam Calendar vs Information Bulletin
| Exam Calendar | Information Bulletin |
|---|---|
| Provides advance exam dates | Provides detailed exam rules |
| Covers multiple examinations | Specific to one examination |
| Dates may be tentative | Contains detailed current schedule |
| Does not contain every eligibility rule | Contains eligibility and application instructions |
Exam Date vs City Intimation vs Admit Card
These are three different updates.
| Update | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Exam Calendar | Advance examination window |
| City Intimation | Informs candidate of allotted exam city |
| Admit Card | Provides candidate-specific examination and center details |
Can NTA Change These Dates?
Yes. The agency has specifically stated that the proposed dates may be changed because of administrative, academic, statutory, logistical or unforeseen circumstances.
Candidates should therefore avoid booking inflexible travel solely on the basis of the advance calendar.
What Candidates Should Do Now
- Identify all examinations you plan to take.
- Add the proposed dates to your preparation calendar.
- Check whether any examination windows overlap.
- Track the individual application notification.
- Complete applications early.
- Download confirmation pages.
- Monitor correction windows.
- Check city-intimation notices.
- Download admit cards when released.
- Recheck dates shortly before travel.
NTA Exam Calendar FAQs
Has NTA released the 2026-27 exam calendar?
Yes. NTA has published an advance examination calendar covering major exams through March 2027.
When is UGC NET December 2026?
The proposed examination window is December 14–19, with December 20–21 identified as buffer dates.
When is CSIR NET December 2026?
The proposed dates are December 20 and 21, 2026.
When is NIFT 2027?
The NIFT Entrance Examination is proposed for January 10, 2027.
When will JEE Main 2027 Session 1 start?
The proposed Session 1 window begins January 22, 2027.
What are the JEE Main Session 1 dates?
The proposed dates are January 22–24 and January 28–30, with January 31 kept as a buffer date.
When is CMAT 2027?
CMAT 2027 is proposed for February 7.
When is CUET PG 2027?
The examination is proposed across March 1–5, March 8–20 and March 24–25.
When is AISSEE 2027?
AISSEE is proposed for January 31, 2027.
Are these dates final?
No. NTA has identified the calendar dates as tentative/proposed and subject to change.
Does the calendar include application dates?
The calendar primarily provides exam scheduling. Candidates must check each examination's separate notification for registration dates and detailed rules.
Does an exam date mean the admit card is available?
No. Admit cards are released separately according to each examination's schedule.
NTA Exam Calendar 2026-27: Final Update
The advance NTA calendar gives candidates a much clearer preparation roadmap from December 2026 through March 2027. The key dates include UGC NET from December 14, NIFT on January 10, JEE Main Session 1 beginning January 22, CMAT on February 7 and CUET PG beginning March 1.
However, students should treat these as proposed dates rather than immutable final schedules. The safest approach is to use the calendar for long-term preparation and rely on each examination's subsequent information bulletin, city-intimation notice and admit card for final candidate-specific details.
