The National Testing Agency has released its examination calendar covering examinations proposed from December 2026 through March 2027. The schedule includes major examinations such as JEE Main Session 1, UGC NET December Cycle, Joint CSIR UGC NET, CMAT, CUET PG, and the NIFT Entrance Examination, as well as several other national-level tests.
The public notice, dated 16 September 2026, states that the calendar has been published to provide candidates, educational institutions, and other stakeholders with greater predictability when planning academic and examination-related activities. However, all dates in the calendar are tentative and can be revised due to administrative, academic, statutory, logistical, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Table of Contents
NTA Exam Calendar 2026-27 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Agency | National Testing Agency |
| Update | Examination Calendar Released |
| Public Notice Date | 16 September 2026 |
| Schedule Covered | December 2026 to March 2027 |
| Number of Examinations Listed | 14 |
| JEE Main Session 1 | 22-24 and 28-30 January 2027 |
| UGC NET December Cycle | 14-19 December 2026 |
| Joint CSIR UGC NET | 20-21 December 2026 |
| CMAT | 7 February 2027 |
| CUET PG | Multiple dates from 1-25 March 2027 |
| Status of Dates | Tentative |
The calendar provides candidates with an early view of the proposed examination window for 14 examinations over four months. December 2026 includes five examinations, followed by five in January 2027, two in February, and two in March.
Candidates should note that this calendar is intended for planning only. It does not replace the individual notification or Information Bulletin for any examination. Registration dates, eligibility criteria, examination centers, admit card schedules, and detailed examination instructions will be issued separately for each test.
NTA Examination Schedule for December 2026
The December calendar begins with the Rashtriya Indian Military College examination on 6 December 2026. SWAYAM examinations are scheduled over five days from 8 to 12 December, followed by the Rashtriya Military Schools examination on 13 December.
| Examination | Proposed Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Rashtriya Indian Military College | 6 December 2026 | 1 Day |
| SWAYAM | 8-12 December 2026 | 5 Days |
| Rashtriya Military Schools | 13 December 2026 | 1 Day |
| UGC NET December Cycle | 14-19 December 2026 | 6 Days |
| Joint CSIR UGC NET December Cycle | 20-21 December 2026 | 2 Days |
For the UGC NET December Cycle, NTA has proposed examinations from 14 to 19 December, with 20 and 21 December kept as buffer dates. The Joint CSIR UGC NET December Cycle is proposed for 20 and 21 December.
JEE Main and Other NTA Exams Scheduled for January 2027
January will be a busy month under the newly published calendar. Five examinations have been scheduled, including JEE Main Session 1, the NIFT Entrance Examination, and the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination.
| Examination | Proposed Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Army Cadets College | 4 January 2027 | 1 Day |
| SHRESHTA (NETS) | 10 January 2027 | 1 Day |
| NIFT Entrance Examination | 10 January 2027 | 1 Day |
| JEE Main Session 1 | 22-24 and 28-30 January 2027 | 6 Days |
| All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination | 31 January 2027 | 1 Day |
The JEE Main Session 1 examination window is proposed for 22 to 24 January and 28 to 30 January 2027, covering six examination days. NTA has additionally earmarked 31 January as a buffer date.
This advance schedule is particularly useful for JEE Main candidates, although examination shifts, city information, admit cards, and other test-specific details will be provided in the separate JEE Main notification and Information Bulletin.
CMAT 2027 is scheduled for 7 February
Two examination schedules appear under February 2027.
| Examination | Proposed Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) | 7 February 2027 | 1 Day |
| NITTT Part 1 | 26-27 February 2027 | 2 Days |
According to the calendar, CMAT is scheduled for 7 February 2027. The National Initiative for Technical Teachers Training, or NITTT, Part 1 examination is scheduled for 26 and 27 February.
CUET PG 2027 Proposed Across 17 Examination Days
The Common University Entrance Test for Post-Graduate admissions has been assigned the longest examination window in the calendar.
CUET PG is proposed for 1-5 March, 8 March, 12-20 March, and 24-25 March 2027. The calendar identifies a total examination duration of 17 days. NTA has also kept 30 and 31 March as buffer dates.
NITTT Part 2 is proposed for 5 and 7 March 2027.
| Examination | Proposed Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CUET PG | 1-5, 8, 12-20 and 24-25 March 2027 | 17 Days |
| NITTT Part 2 | 5 and 7 March 2027 | 2 Days |
What the NTA Public Notice Says
NTA has clarified that the purpose of releasing the advance calendar is to improve transparency, predictability, and convenience for candidates appearing in its examinations.
The agency has also made an important distinction between an examination calendar and an examination notification. Publication of the calendar does not constitute the formal notification for any individual examination.
Detailed Information Bulletins and examination-specific notices will be issued separately at the appropriate time. These are expected to contain the actual application schedule, eligibility rules, examination scheme, and other examination-specific instructions.
NTA Exam Dates Are Tentative
Candidates should treat all dates in the newly released calendar as proposed rather than final.
NTA has specifically stated that dates may change because of administrative, academic, statutory, logistical, or other unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, candidates planning travel, preparing schedules, or making other commitments around these dates should continue to check the respective examination notices before making final arrangements.
The separate examination portals will also provide subsequent updates related to application forms, examination city intimation, admit cards, answer keys, and results.
