The National Testing Agency has released its tentative examination calendar for December 2026 to March 2027, giving candidates advance dates for several major national-level examinations.

The calendar includes 14 examinations, including JEE Main 2027 Session 1, UGC NET, Joint CSIR UGC NET, CMAT, CUET PG, NIFT and AISSEE.

NTA issued the calendar through a public notice dated September 16, 2026 and has cautioned that all dates remain tentative.

For a detailed exam-by-exam planning guide, read our NTA Exam Calendar 2026–27: JEE Main, UGC NET, CMAT & CUET PG Dates Blog once published.

Major NTA Exam Dates at a Glance

JEE Main has January 31 as a buffer date, while CUET PG has March 30 and 31 as buffer dates.

JEE Main 2027 Session 1 Starts January 22

Engineering aspirants now have an early timeline for JEE Main.

NTA has scheduled Session 1 across six proposed examination days:

• January 22
• January 23
• January 24
• January 28
• January 29
• January 30

January 31 has been reserved as a buffer date.

Students should note that JEE Main Session 2 is not included in this calendar.

Registration and application dates will be announced separately.

Engineering aspirants can explore iYou Global's Engineering Courses & Programmes, while students looking ahead to the counselling stage can also read our JoSAA Counselling Guide.

UGC NET Begins December 14

The UGC NET December 2026 examination is proposed from:

December 14–19, 2026

NTA has kept December 20–21 as buffer dates.

The Joint CSIR UGC NET December cycle is scheduled separately for December 20–21.

Candidates should wait for the detailed subject-wise schedule before assuming their examination will fall on a particular day.

CMAT 2027 Scheduled for February 7

Management aspirants can mark February 7, 2027 as the proposed CMAT examination date.

Application dates and other examination details have not yet been announced through this calendar.

Students considering multiple MBA entrance tests can also read our CAT vs XAT vs NMAT vs SNAP 2026–27 Guide and explore Management Admission Guidance.

CUET PG 2027 to Run Across 17 Exam Days

CUET PG has been allotted a long March examination window.

The proposed dates are:

• March 1–5
• March 8
• March 12–20
• March 24–25

March 30 and March 31 are listed as buffer dates.

The detailed subject-wise CUET PG schedule will be issued separately.

Students can also use the iYou Global College Search & Comparison tool when researching universities and postgraduate options.

Other Exams Included in the Calendar

The calendar also includes:

• Rashtriya Indian Military College — December 6
• SWAYAM — December 8–12
• Rashtriya Military Schools — December 13
• Army Cadets College — January 4
• SHRESHTA — January 10
• NIFT Entrance Examination — January 10
• AISSEE — January 31
• NITTT Part 1 — February 26–27
• NITTT Part 2 — March 5 and 7

All dates are currently tentative.

NEET UG, CUET UG and JEE Main Session 2 Dates Not Included

Candidates should pay particular attention to what the calendar does not announce.

The current document does not provide dates for:

• NEET UG 2027
• CUET UG 2027
• JEE Main 2027 Session 2

Students should wait for separate official announcements rather than relying on unofficial dates circulating online.

NTA Says Dates Can Still Change

The calendar is intended to give students and institutions greater predictability, but NTA has made it clear that the proposed dates may be revised because of administrative, academic, statutory, logistical or unforeseen circumstances.

Individual information bulletins will later announce registration dates, eligibility, application fees and detailed examination instructions.

iYou Global recently also reported on NTA's work to strengthen its examination-centre network. Read the related update: NTA to Strengthen Exam Centre Network.

Need Help Planning Your Entrance Exams and Admissions?

If you are preparing for JEE Main, CMAT, CUET or another entrance examination but are unsure which colleges or courses should be on your shortlist, iYou Global Education can help you build a practical admission plan.

We can assist with:

• Course selection
• Entrance-exam planning
• College shortlisting
• Engineering admissions
• Management admissions
• UG and PG applications
• Career assessment
• Counselling and documentation
• Backup admission planning

Call / WhatsApp: +91-7620223379

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Email: info@iyouglobal.com

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Students who are still unsure which academic path fits their interests and strengths can also explore our Career Assessment & Counselling.

Mr. Anindya Bhanja
Founder & Career Guidance Mentor