Entrance Exams
24 exams · dates, eligibility & results
NationalICAR AIEEA (All India Entrance Examination for Admission)
ICAR AIEEA 2026 is the national entrance exam for BSc Agriculture, BSc Horticulture, BSc Forestry, BSc Fisheries, BTech Food Technology, and PG programmes (MSc/PhD) at ICAR-deemed universities — IARI New Delhi, NDRI Karnal, IVRI Bareilly, CIFE Mumbai, and IIFPT Thanjavur — plus agricultural colleges under state agricultural universities with ICAR funding. Northeast India has strong agricultural education infrastructure directly relevant to ICAR AIEEA: Assam Agricultural University (AAU) Jorhat — one of India's largest agricultural universities with multiple colleges; College of Agriculture Lembucherra (Tripura); Central Agricultural University (CAU) Imphal — a central government institution with constituent colleges in Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim. For rural NE students, ICAR AIEEA-qualified institutions lead to careers in NABARD, state agriculture departments, IARI, food processing, and agricultural research — meaningful and locally relevant paths.
NationalCAT
CAT 2026 (Common Admission Test) is the primary MBA entrance examination in India, conducted by the IIMs in rotation and accepted by all 20 IIMs and over 1,200 B-schools. CAT 2026 is expected in late November 2026; registration typically opens July–August and closes September. IIMs use CAT score plus WAT-PI (Written Ability Test + Personal Interview) to select candidates for the flagship PGP (2-year MBA equivalent) programme. CAT is not just for IIMs — MDI Gurgaon, IMT Ghaziabad, NITIE, TAPMI, Great Lakes, and hundreds of other B-schools also accept it. For NE India students, IIM Shillong (Meghalaya) is a fully accredited IIM with 240 seats, a residential campus, and an NE regional perspective built into its curriculum. CAT 2025 (just concluded) results are available now; CAT 2026 preparation should begin June–July 2026.
NationalSNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test)
SNAP 2026 is the MBA entrance test exclusively for all Symbiosis International University affiliated business schools — the SIU group is among the most well-regarded private university networks in India with campuses in Pune, Noida, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Nashik. Key SIU MBA institutes include SIBM Pune (flagship, top-20 MBA), SCMHRD Pune, SIIB Pune, SITM Pune, and SIMS Pune. SNAP is conducted in December across multiple slots. SNAP is the only path into SIBM Pune and SCMHRD — if these institutes are your target, SNAP preparation is mandatory alongside CAT. The exam is shorter and less complex than CAT but sectional percentile cutoffs at SIBM are competitive (95+ percentile for top programmes). Symbiosis offers a quality MBA with strong Pune industry connections.
NationalCLAT
CLAT 2027 (Common Law Admission Test) will be conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities in January 2027 for admission to 5-year integrated BA LLB and 1-year LLM programmes at 25 National Law Universities including NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, NLU Delhi, WBNUJS Kolkata, NLU Jodhpur, and RGNUL Patiala. Registration for CLAT 2027 typically opens July 2026. CLAT is the only path to the NLUs — India's most prestigious law schools. NLU graduates at top NLUs command starting salaries of ₹12–30 LPA at corporate law firms in Mumbai and Delhi. For NE India students, NLU Assam (Guwahati) — National Law University and Judicial Academy Assam — accepts CLAT scores. NLU Delhi has NE regional category seats. Law as a career option in NE India is growing significantly given expanding regulatory, civil, and commercial legal needs.
NationalNEET UG
NEET UG 2026 was conducted on May 4, 2026 as a single-day, pen-and-paper (offline) exam held simultaneously across India and at overseas centres. It is the only national entrance examination for MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS, and BSc Nursing at government and private medical colleges in India. Results are expected in June 2026, followed by All India Quota counselling through the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and state counselling. For students from Northeast India, NEET UG is the pathway to Gauhati Medical College (Guwahati), Jorhat Medical College, Silchar Medical College, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College in Assam; RIMS Imphal (Manipur); NEIGRIHMS Shillong (Meghalaya) — a prestigious central government institute; and AIIMS Guwahati. State quota seats are available at lower cutoffs for domicile holders at these institutions.
UGC NET (National Eligibility Test)
UGC NET 2026 is conducted twice a year — June and December cycles — by NTA on behalf of the University Grants Commission. Qualifying UGC NET is the mandatory gateway to Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) positions in Indian universities and colleges. JRF award provides ₹31,000/month fellowship for the first 2 years (extendable to ₹35,000) for PhD research at UGC-recognised institutions. For NE India, UGC NET is the primary qualification for faculty positions at Gauhati University, Dibrugarh University, Assam University Silchar, Cotton University Guwahati, Tezpur University, North-Eastern Hill University Shillong, and state government degree colleges across Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram. State government college recruitment in NE states universally requires UGC NET. The June 2026 exam is upcoming.
Assam CEE (Common Entrance Examination)
Assam CEE 2026 is conducted by Assam Science and Technology University (ASTU) for admission to engineering, architecture, and pharmacy programmes at ASTU-affiliated government engineering colleges: Assam Engineering College (AEC) Guwahati, Jorhat Engineering College, Bineswar Brahma Engineering College (Kokrajhar), Lakhimpur Engineering College, and other government colleges in Assam. Assam CEE is the primary route to government-subsidised engineering education within Assam. Assam Engineering College (AEC) Guwahati — established 1955 — is the oldest and most prestigious engineering college accessible via Assam CEE, with strong campus recruitment from IT, oil sector (OIL India, ONGC Assam), and civil infrastructure companies. For students from Assam and NE states, Assam CEE offers access to affordable, government-funded engineering education at home, avoiding the significant migration cost of studying in Bengaluru, Pune, or other cities. JEE Main scores are used separately for NIT Silchar and the seven NE NITs.
AP EAPCET (Andhra Pradesh Engineering Agriculture and Pharmacy Common Entrance Test)
AP EAPCET 2026 was conducted in May 2026 for admission to engineering, agriculture, and pharmacy programmes at government and private colleges in Andhra Pradesh. AP has a large number of engineering colleges across Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, and Guntur with strong IT sector connections. Top AP engineering colleges accessible via AP EAPCET include GITAM University Visakhapatnam, Andhra University College of Engineering, JNTU Anantapur, and VIT-AP. The Andhra Pradesh government offers fee reimbursement for SC/ST/BC students — significantly reducing education costs at government colleges.
JEE Advanced
JEE Advanced 2026 was conducted on May 18, 2026 by IIT Guwahati — the rotating organising IIT for this cycle. Results are expected on June 9, 2026. JEE Advanced is the sole admission gateway to all 23 IITs across India for BTech, BE, BS, BArch, and integrated MSc programmes. Only the top 2.5 lakh candidates from JEE Main Paper 1 are eligible to appear in JEE Advanced. IIT Guwahati being the 2026 organising IIT is significant for Northeast India — it is the IIT serving the NE region and has grown substantially in faculty depth, research output, and placement quality. Students from NE states who qualify JEE Advanced have regional relevance at IIT Guwahati and can access other IITs across India. The next JEE Advanced cycle (2027) will typically be held in May 2027.
NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture)
NATA 2026 is conducted by the Council of Architecture (COA) for admission to 5-year B.Arch programmes at architecture schools across India. Two NATA tests are offered in 2026 — First Test (May/June) and Second Test (July/August). The best score across both tests is used for admission. NATA is the primary admission test for non-NIT architecture colleges; JEE Main Paper 2A is used separately for NIT architecture seats. Architecture as a career in Northeast India has genuine scope: Guwahati's rapid urbanisation and smart city projects, Meghalaya and Sikkim's growing tourism infrastructure, Tripura and Assam's government-funded urban development, and the restoration of heritage structures across the region all create demand for trained architects. Top architecture colleges accepting NATA include SPA Delhi, CEPT Ahmedabad, JJ School of Architecture Mumbai, and state government architecture colleges in Assam, Manipur, and Meghalaya.
CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)
CMAT 2026 is conducted by NTA for admission to MBA and PGDM programmes at AICTE-approved management institutions. Accepted by over 1,000 B-schools, CMAT is particularly important for JBIMS Mumbai, SIMSREE Mumbai, KJ Somaiya, and state government MBA colleges across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and other states. CMAT is significantly less competitive than CAT or XAT in terms of test difficulty, making it accessible to a broader range of candidates. For NE India students, CMAT opens access to MBA programmes at institutions including those in Assam and NE states that accept NTA scores. Registration typically happens January–February with the exam in March–May. CMAT scores are accepted by several newer private universities and B-schools that prefer NTA-validated scores.
TS EAPCET (Telangana State Engineering Agriculture and Pharmacy Common Entrance Test)
TS EAPCET 2026 was conducted in May 2026 for admission to engineering, agriculture, and pharmacy programmes at colleges in Telangana. Hyderabad — India's fourth-largest city and a major IT/pharma hub hosting Microsoft India HQ, Google India, Amazon, ICICI, Deloitte, and hundreds of MNCs — creates strong campus placement opportunities even for mid-tier engineering colleges accessible via TS EAPCET. Key institutions include CBIT Hyderabad, Vasavi College, MVSR Engineering College, MGIT, Chaitanya Bharathi Institute, and JNTUH-affiliated colleges.
CUET UG
CUET UG 2026 is the centralised undergraduate entrance examination conducted by NTA for admission to 261 participating universities — central universities including Delhi University, JNU, BHU, AMU, Hyderabad Central University; state universities; deemed universities; and private universities. The exam runs in sessions from May 13 to June 3, 2026 across India and overseas. CUET has replaced university-specific tests, meaning a single CUET score now determines your access to DU, BHU, NEHU, and hundreds of other institutions. CUET UG is especially valuable for students from Northeast India — Central University of Assam, Tezpur University, Assam University (Silchar), North-Eastern Hill University (Shillong), Manipur University, and Rajiv Gandhi University (Arunachal) all accept CUET scores. Students can now apply to top national universities without multiple entrance tests or travel.
COMEDK UGET (Undergraduate Entrance Test)
COMEDK UGET 2026 was conducted on May 11, 2026 for admission to engineering programmes at 190+ private engineering colleges in Karnataka under the COMEDK consortium. Unlike KCET (which requires Karnataka domicile for government seats), COMEDK is open to students from all states and countries — it is effectively a national-level test for Karnataka's private engineering ecosystem. Key COMEDK-participating colleges include PES University, BMS College of Engineering, Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, RNSIT, Don Bosco Institute of Technology, Jyothy Institute, and Cambridge Institute of Technology. For students from Northeast India seeking to study engineering in Bengaluru — India's technology capital — COMEDK is the primary route to reputed private colleges without requiring state domicile.
WBJEE (West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations)
WBJEE 2026 was conducted on April 27, 2026 by the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board for admission to engineering, technology, pharmacy, and architecture programmes at government and private colleges in West Bengal. The standout institution accessible via WBJEE is Jadavpur University Kolkata — consistently ranked among India's top 10 engineering colleges by NIRF and QS rankings, with placement outcomes comparable to mid-tier NITs. IIEST Shibpur (formerly BE College) is another strong option. For students from Northeast India — particularly Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya — Kolkata is geographically accessible and culturally familiar. West Bengal domicile is required for state quota seats, but students from NE states who have studied in West Bengal or hold WB domicile are eligible. Jadavpur University via WBJEE remains one of the best-value engineering college admissions in India.
KEAM (Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical Entrance)
KEAM 2026 is conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala for admission to engineering and pharmacy programmes at government and self-financing private colleges in Kerala. Architecture admissions in Kerala now use NATA scores separately. Kerala's public engineering education system is among India's strongest — government engineering colleges like College of Engineering Thiruvananthapuram (CET), GEC Thrissur, Model Engineering College Kochi, and GEC Wayanad offer quality education at low government fees. KEAM Engineering score combined with JEE Main normalised score is used for government college admissions (60% KEAM + 40% JEE Main weightage). For students without a Kerala domicile, KEAM is not useful — it is restricted to Kerala residents. However, for Kerala domicile holders across India, registering for KEAM is recommended alongside JEE Main.
KCET (Karnataka Common Entrance Test)
KCET 2026 was conducted on April 16–17, 2026 by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) for admission to engineering, pharmacy, B.Sc Nursing, and agriculture programmes at government and private colleges in Karnataka. Karnataka's engineering education cluster in Bengaluru is unique in India — even tier-2 Bengaluru engineering colleges have strong placement outcomes due to the city's IT ecosystem. RV College of Engineering, BMS College of Engineering, MSRIT Bengaluru, and Dayananda Sagar are accessible via KCET. KCET is state-domicile restricted for government college seats. Private college seats have separate all-India quota, but KCET score is still used for private colleges participating in KEA counselling. COMEDK (separate exam) is the alternative for private Karnataka engineering colleges without domicile restriction.
JEE Main
JEE Main 2026 was conducted by NTA in two sessions — Session 1 (January 22–February 2) and Session 2 (April 1–8). Results for both sessions determine the composite NTA Score used for JoSAA counselling for admission to NITs, IIITs and GFTIs across India. JEE Main is also the qualifying examination for JEE Advanced; the top 2.5 lakh unique candidates from JEE Main 2026 became eligible for JEE Advanced (May 18, 2026). The next JEE Main cycle (2027) registration typically opens October–November 2026. For students from Northeast India — Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim — JEE Main opens access to dedicated NITs in the region: NIT Silchar (Assam), NIT Meghalaya, NIT Nagaland, NIT Manipur, NIT Arunachal Pradesh, NIT Mizoram, and NIT Sikkim, all with home-state quota seats accessible at moderate scores.
MH CET — Engineering (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test)
MH CET 2026 for Engineering (PCM-based) was conducted in March–April 2026 for admission to BTech/BE programmes at all government, aided, and private engineering colleges in Maharashtra. Maharashtra hosts one of India's largest clusters of engineering institutions — Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad — with flagship colleges like COEP Pune (autonomous university), VJTI Mumbai, ICT Mumbai (chemical/pharma engineering), and hundreds of private colleges affiliated to Mumbai University, Pune University, SPPU, and RTM Nagpur. MH CET scores are used for Maharashtra's Centralised Admission Process (CAP). For government college seats, both MH CET score and JEE Main score are considered. JEE Main All India Quota fills 15% of government college seats; the remaining 85% (state quota) uses MH CET for Maharashtra domicile holders. A strong MH CET score with Maharashtra domicile is often more effective for COEP and VJTI admission than a moderate JEE Main score.
CUET PG
CUET PG 2026 is conducted by NTA for postgraduate admissions at central universities, state universities, and participating institutions. The exam covers 72+ programmes and was conducted in March 2026. Accepting universities include Delhi University MA/MSc/MCom, JNU MA/MSc, BHU PG programmes, Hyderabad Central University, Pondicherry University, and in Northeast India — Assam University (Silchar), Manipur University (Imphal), Tezpur University (Napaam), Rajiv Gandhi University (Arunachal Pradesh), and Cotton University (Guwahati). CUET PG streamlines PG admissions the same way CUET UG does for undergraduate — a single exam score for multiple university applications. For NE students, CUET PG enables access to both regional universities for proximity and major central universities for academic prestige, without separate entrance tests for each.