Sunita Somvanshi
The National Testing Agency has released its examination calendar for 2026–27, covering 14 exams from December 2026 through March 2027. Here are the key dates — and the most important qualification about using them.
All dates in the NTA 2026–27 calendar are tentative. The agency has released the calendar as a planning reference for students. Dates are subject to change and students should track the official NTA website and examination-specific notifications before finalising preparation schedules or travel bookings.
With that caveat stated clearly, here is what the released schedule shows. UGC NET is scheduled for December 14–19, 2026, with December 20–21 listed as buffer dates. JEE Main Session 1 Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) is scheduled for January 22–24 and January 28–30, 2027, with January 31 listed as a buffer date. CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) is listed for February 7, 2027. CUET PG (Common University Entrance Test — Postgraduate) runs across March 1–5, 8, 12–20 and 24–25, 2027.
If you’re sitting JEE Main 2027 Session 1, your exam period starts January 22. The schedule runs January 22–24, then resumes January 28–30 — note the gap from January 24 to January 28. Candidates assigned to January 28 have a later proposed exam date than those assigned to the January 22–24 window. If your centre slip places you on January 28, you have additional preparation time relative to candidates sitting earlier. Check your city intimation slip as soon as it becomes available; it confirms your city allocation, which determines travel planning.
For UGC NET candidates, December 14–19 is the main exam window, with December 20–21 as buffer dates. Subject-specific dates within that window are assigned by NTA and communicated through admit cards. Begin preparation against the December window as the outer boundary while monitoring for the official admit card release date.
For CUET PG, the March window is the widest on the calendar — running over four separate date clusters. Subject combinations determine which specific dates apply to individual candidates. Cross-reference your subject combination against the date blocks when detailed scheduling is released.
See also: CTET September 2026 postponement — what changed for teaching exam applicants.
What to check before the exam period
The NTA 2026–27 calendar establishes the outer windows. Three actions matter for each examination: First, confirm the city intimation slip once released for your exam. This is distinct from the admit card and typically releases earlier. It confirms your exam city so you can finalise accommodation and travel if you’re coming from outside your allocated city. Second, download the admit card as soon as it becomes available. The admit card carries your hall ticket number, exam centre address, shift timing and photograph, and is required for entry at each examination centre. Third, check for schedule changes — the NTA calendar notes dates as tentative. Any revision will be communicated through official NTA channels and the examination-specific portal (nta.ac.in).
When is JEE Main 2027?
NTA has scheduled JEE Main 2027 Session 1 Paper 1 for January 22–24 and January 28–30, with January 31 as a buffer date. These dates are tentative. Session 2 dates have not been announced. Check nta.ac.in for updates.
When is UGC NET December 2026?
UGC NET is tentatively scheduled for December 14–19, 2026, with December 20–21 as buffer dates. Subject-specific dates within that window will be confirmed by NTA through the admit card. Dates are subject to change.
Is the NTA exam calendar final?
No. The NTA has described the 2026–27 calendar as tentative. Dates can change based on operational requirements. All students should follow official NTA communications and examination-specific portals rather than relying solely on the announced calendar.
What exams are included in the NTA 2026–27 calendar?
The calendar covers 14 examinations including JEE Main, UGC NET, CUET PG, CMAT, SWAYAM, and NIFT Entrance Examination, among others, from December 2026 through March 2027.
Check the official NTA website for city intimation slip and admit card release dates as each examination approaches. An update will be published here when the NTA confirms final dates or issues any schedule revision.
