Complete Guide to Upcoming Entrance Exams 2026: Engineering, Management, Medical, AYUSH, Paramedical & Defense

Introduction

The year 2026 brings a wide array of entrance exams across various professional streams in India. These exams are gateways for students and aspirants to pursue higher education, professional courses, and government recruitment programs.

This section covers Engineering, Management, Nursing, Pharmacy, Ayurveda, Physiotherapy, Paramedical, Homeopathy, NDA, CDS, and other major entrance exams for 2026 in a structured table format with exam dates, eligibility, and application windows.

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Engineering Entrance Exams 2026

Exam NamePurpose / CourseRegistration StartLast Date to ApplyExam DateEligibility
JEE Main 2026B.Tech / B.E admission to NITs, IIITs, CFTIsDec 2025Jan 2026Apr & May 202612th pass/appearing, PCM subjects
JEE Advanced 2026B.Tech admission to IITsMay 2026May 2026Jun 2026Qualified JEE Main, age 17–25 years
GUJCET 2026Engineering & Pharmacy admission (Gujarat)Feb 2026Mar 202629 Mar 202612th Science (PCM/PCB)
KCET 2026Engineering admission (Karnataka)Jan 2026Feb 2026Mar 202612th Science (PCM)
TS EAMCET 2026Engineering admission (Telangana)Feb 2026Mar 2026Apr 202612th Science (PCM)
AP EAMCET 2026Engineering admission (Andhra Pradesh)Feb 2026Mar 2026Apr 202612th Science (PCM)

Management Entrance Exams 2026

Exam NamePurpose / CourseRegistration StartLast Date to ApplyExam DateEligibility
CAT 2026MBA admission to IIMsAug 2026Sep 2026Nov 2026Graduate in any discipline
XAT 2026MBA admission to XLRI & other B-schoolsNov 2025Dec 2025Jan 2026Graduate in any discipline
CMAT 2026MBA admission to AICTE-approved institutesDec 2025Jan 2026Feb 2026Graduate in any discipline
MAT 2026MBA admission to multiple institutesJan / Apr / Sep / Dec 2026Feb / May / Oct / Dec 2026Feb / May / Sep / Dec 2026Graduate in any discipline
SNAP 2026MBA admission to Symbiosis InstitutesAug 2026Nov 2026Dec 2026Graduate in any discipline
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Nursing Entrance Exams 2026

Exam NameCourse / PurposeRegistration StartLast Date to ApplyExam DateEligibility
AIIMS B.Sc. Nursing 2026Undergraduate NursingMar 2026Apr 202628 Jun 202612th PCB
AIIMS Post-Basic Nursing 2026Post-Basic NursingMar 2026Apr 202614 Jun 2026Diploma in Nursing
NORCET 2026Nursing Officer RecruitmentFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr 2026B.Sc / Diploma Nursing
PGIMER Nursing Entrance 2026M.Sc NursingJan 2026Feb 2026Mar 2026B.Sc Nursing

Pharmacy Entrance Exams 2026

Exam NamePurpose / CourseRegistration StartLast Date to ApplyExam DateEligibility
GPAT 2026M.Pharm admissionNov 2025Dec 2025Jan 2026B.Pharm graduates
GUJCET Pharmacy 2026B.Pharm / D.Pharm admissionFeb 2026Mar 202629 Mar 202612th Science (PCB)
TS EAMCET Pharmacy 2026B.Pharm / D.Pharm admissionFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr 202612th Science (PCB)
AP EAMCET Pharmacy 2026B.Pharm / D.Pharm admissionFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr 202612th Science (PCB)
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Ayurveda Entrance Exams 2026

Exam NameCourse / PurposeRegistration StartLast Date to ApplyExam DateEligibility
NEET UG / AYUSH 2026BAMS / BHMS admissionJan 2026Feb 2026May 202612th PCB
State AYUSH CET 2026BAMS / BHMS admission (State-level)Feb 2026Mar 2026Mar–Jun 202612th PCB
AIAPGET 2026PG Ayurveda / HomeopathyMar 2026Apr 2026May 2026BAMS / BHMS graduates

Physiotherapy Entrance Exams 2026

Exam NameCourse / PurposeRegistration StartLast Date to ApplyExam DateEligibility
BPT / MPT CET (State)Physiotherapy UG & PGFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr–Jun 202612th PCB / BPT
All India PG Physiotherapy EntranceMPT / DoctorateMar 2026Apr 2026May 2026BPT degree
University-level Physiotherapy EntranceBPT / MPTJan 2026Feb 2026Mar–Apr 202612th PCB / BPT
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Paramedical Entrance Exams 2026

Exam NameCourse / PurposeRegistration StartLast Date to ApplyExam DateEligibility
State Paramedical CETs 2026Lab Technician / Radiology / OT AssistantFeb 2026Mar 2026Mar–Jun 202612th PCB
All India Paramedical EntranceVarious UG / PG coursesJan 2026Feb 2026Mar–May 202612th PCB / Diploma
AIIMS Paramedical UG / PG 2026Radiology, Lab, OT coursesMar 2026Apr 2026May–Jun 202612th PCB / Graduation in relevant field

Homeopathy Entrance Exams 2026

Exam NameCourse / PurposeRegistration StartLast Date to ApplyExam DateEligibility
NEET UG / AYUSH 2026BHMS admissionJan 2026Feb 2026May 202612th PCB
State Homeopathy CETs 2026BHMS admission (State-level)Feb 2026Mar 2026Mar–Jun 202612th PCB
AIAPGET Homeopathy 2026PG BHMSMar 2026Apr 2026May 2026BHMS graduates

Defense & NDA / Other Entrance Exams 2026

Exam NamePurpose / CourseNotification DateLast Date to ApplyExam DateEligibility
NDA & NA I 2026Army, Navy, Air Force10 Dec 202530 Dec 202512 Apr 202612th pass, age 16.5–19.5 yrs
NDA & NA II 2026Army, Navy, Air Force20 May 202609 Jun 202613 Sep 202612th pass, age 16.5–19.5 yrs
CDS I 2026Officers in Army, Navy, Air Force10 Dec 202530 Dec 202512 Apr 2026Graduate, age 19–25 yrs
CDS II 2026Officers in Army, Navy, Air Force10 May 202601 Jun 202621 Sep 2026Graduate, age 19–25 yrs
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State-Level Engineering & Technical Entrance Exams 2026

Exam NamePurpose / CourseRegistration StartLast DateExam DateEligibility
WBJEE 2026Engineering & Pharmacy admission (West Bengal)Jan 2026Feb 2026Apr 202612th PCM / PCB
MHT CET 2026Engineering & Pharmacy (Maharashtra)Feb 2026Mar 2026Apr 202612th PCM / PCB
UPSEE / AKTU 2026Engineering, Pharmacy & Management (UP)Jan 2026Feb 2026Apr 202612th PCM / PCB / Graduate
OJEE 2026Engineering, Pharmacy, MBA (Odisha)Feb 2026Mar 2026May 202612th PCM / Graduate
HPU MAT 2026Engineering & Management admission (Himachal Pradesh)Jan 2026Feb 2026Mar 202612th / Graduate

State-Level Management Entrance Exams 2026

Exam NamePurpose / CourseRegistration StartLast DateExam DateEligibility
TANCET 2026MBA admission (Tamil Nadu)Jan 2026Feb 2026Mar 2026Graduate in any discipline
MAH MBA CET 2026MBA admission (Maharashtra)Jan 2026Feb 2026Mar 2026Graduate in any discipline
KMAT 2026MBA / PGDM admission (Karnataka)Feb 2026Mar 2026Apr 2026Graduate in any discipline
PGET / State PG Management ExamsState-level MBA/PGDMJan 2026Feb 2026Mar–Apr 2026Graduate in any discipline

Nursing – State & University Level Exams 2026

Exam NameCourse / PurposeRegistration StartLast DateExam DateEligibility
TNAU B.Sc Nursing 2026UG NursingJan 2026Feb 2026Mar 202612th PCB
MP Nursing CET 2026B.Sc / M.Sc NursingFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr 202612th PCB / B.Sc Nursing
UP B.Sc Nursing 2026UG NursingFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr 202612th PCB
Karnataka PG Nursing Entrance 2026M.Sc NursingJan 2026Feb 2026Mar 2026B.Sc Nursing
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State & University Pharmacy Exams 2026

Exam NamePurpose / CourseRegistration StartLast DateExam DateEligibility
HPU Pharmacy Entrance 2026B.Pharm / M.PharmJan 2026Feb 2026Mar 202612th PCB / B.Pharm
Punjab CET Pharmacy 2026B.Pharm / D.PharmFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr 202612th PCB
Delhi University B.Pharm Entrance 2026B.Pharm admissionFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr 202612th PCB

Ayurveda & Homeopathy – State-Level Exams 2026

Exam NameCourse / PurposeRegistration StartLast DateExam DateEligibility
Rajasthan AYUSH CET 2026BAMS / BHMSFeb 2026Mar 2026May 202612th PCB
Maharashtra AYUSH CET 2026BAMS / BHMSFeb 2026Mar 2026May 202612th PCB
UP AYUSH CET 2026BAMS / BHMSJan 2026Feb 2026Mar 202612th PCB
State Homeopathy CET 2026BHMSFeb 2026Mar 2026Mar–Apr 202612th PCB
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Physiotherapy – State & University Exams 2026

Exam NameCourse / PurposeRegistration StartLast DateExam DateEligibility
Delhi University BPT 2026UG PhysiotherapyJan 2026Feb 2026Mar 202612th PCB
Karnataka BPT Entrance 2026UG PhysiotherapyFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr 202612th PCB
MPT Entrance (State PG) 2026PG PhysiotherapyMar 2026Apr 2026May 2026BPT degree

Paramedical Entrance Exams 2026

Exam NameCourse / PurposeRegistration StartLast DateExam DateEligibility
Rajasthan Paramedical CET 2026Lab Tech / Radiology / OTAJan 2026Feb 2026Mar 202612th PCB
Maharashtra Paramedical CET 2026Lab / Radiology / OTFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr 202612th PCB
UP Paramedical CET 2026UG / DiplomaFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr 202612th PCB
Karnataka Paramedical Entrance 2026Lab / Radiology / OTFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr 202612th PCB

⚕ Homeopathy – State-Level Entrance Exams 2026

Exam NameCourse / PurposeRegistration StartLast DateExam DateEligibility
Rajasthan Homeopathy CET 2026BHMS UGJan 2026Feb 2026Mar 202612th PCB
Maharashtra Homeopathy CET 2026BHMSFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr 202612th PCB
UP Homeopathy CET 2026BHMSJan 2026Feb 2026Mar 202612th PCB
Delhi Homeopathy UG Entrance 2026BHMSFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr 202612th PCB
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Diploma & Short-Term Professional Entrance Exams 2026

Exam NameCourse / PurposeRegistration StartLast DateExam DateEligibility
ITI Admission 2026Technical & Non-Technical DiplomaJan 2026Feb 2026Mar 202610th / 12th pass
Polytechnic Diploma CET 2026Engineering DiplomaJan 2026Feb 2026Mar–Apr 202610th pass / 12th PCM
Pharmacy Diploma Entrance 2026D.PharmFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr 202612th PCB
Paramedical Diploma Entrance 2026OT / Lab / RadiologyFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr 202612th PCB

Defense & NDA/CDS Entrance Exams 2026

Exam NamePurpose / CourseNotification DateLast Date to ApplyExam DateEligibility
NDA & NA I 2026Army, Navy, Air Force10 Dec 202530 Dec 202512 Apr 202612th pass, age 16.5–19.5 yrs
NDA & NA II 2026Army, Navy, Air Force20 May 202609 Jun 202613 Sep 202612th pass, age 16.5–19.5 yrs
CDS I 2026Officers in Army, Navy, Air Force10 Dec 202530 Dec 202512 Apr 2026Graduate, age 19–25 yrs
CDS II 2026Officers in Army, Navy, Air Force10 May 202601 Jun 202621 Sep 2026Graduate, age 19–25 yrs
AFCAT 1 2026Air Force OfficerJan 2026Feb 2026Mar 2026Graduate, age 20–24 yrs
AFCAT 2 2026Air Force OfficerJul 2026Aug 2026Sep 2026Graduate, age 20–24 yrs
Indian Coast Guard Navik & Yantrik 2026Navik/Technical PostsFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr 202610th / 12th pass
TES / TGC / SSC Technical 2026Technical Officer EntryFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr–May 2026Engineering graduates

Postgraduate Professional Entrance Exams 2026

Exam NameCourse / PurposeRegistration StartLast DateExam DateEligibility
NEET PG 2026MD / MS / PG DiplomaOct 2025Nov 2025Jan 2026MBBS graduates
AIIMS PG 2026MD / MS / MDSOct 2025Nov 2025Jan–Feb 2026MBBS / BDS graduates
JIPMER PG 2026MD / MS / MDSNov 2025Dec 2025Feb 2026MBBS / BDS graduates
GPAT 2026M.PharmNov 2025Dec 2025Jan 2026B.Pharm graduates
AIAPGET 2026PG Ayurveda / HomeopathyMar 2026Apr 2026May 2026BAMS / BHMS graduates
State PG Nursing Entrance 2026M.Sc NursingJan 2026Feb 2026Mar 2026B.Sc Nursing
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Specialized National-Level Professional Entrance Exams 2026

Exam NameCourse / PurposeRegistration StartLast DateExam DateEligibility
AIIMS Paramedical PG 2026M.Sc / MPT / OTAJan 2026Feb 2026Mar–Apr 2026UG degree in relevant field
Indian Army Nursing (Agniveer & Officers) 2026Nursing / StaffJan 2026Feb 2026Mar 2026B.Sc / Diploma Nursing
PG Physiotherapy Entrance (AIIMS & State)MPT / DoctorateFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr–May 2026BPT degree
UG / PG Diploma in Pharmacy / ParamedicalNational EntranceFeb 2026Mar 2026Apr–May 202612th / UG degree

Niche & Other Competitive Entrance Exams 2026

Exam NamePurpose / CourseExam MonthEligibility
ICAR AIEEA 2026B.Sc / M.Sc AgricultureJun 202612th / Graduate
NIFT / NID Entrance 2026Fashion & DesignFeb 202612th / UG degree
CLAT 2026UG & PG LawApr 202612th / Graduate
AIIMS B.Sc / PG Allied Health 2026B.Sc / M.Sc Nursing, Paramedical, RadiologyMar–Jun 202612th / UG degree
State AYUSH PG CET 2026M.D Ayurveda / M.D HomeopathyMar 2026BAMS / BHMS graduates
SBI Clerk / PO / IBPS Specialist 2026Banking / SpecialistFeb–Apr 2026Graduate in relevant stream
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Conclusion

The year 2026 presents aspirants with a vast array of entrance exams across multiple streams, offering opportunities for higher education, professional courses, and government recruitment. From engineering, management, and medical sciences to pharmacy, physiotherapy, paramedical, Ayurveda, homeopathy, and defense, every stream has well-defined national and state-level entrance pathways.

Key takeaways:

  1. Early Planning is Essential – Most national and state-level exams open registrations months in advance. Keeping track of deadlines ensures no opportunity is missed.
  2. Eligibility Awareness – Each entrance exam has specific eligibility criteria, from 10+2 qualifications for UG courses to professional degrees for PG courses. Understanding these early helps in focused preparation.
  3. Diverse Opportunities – Aspirants can choose from UG, PG, diploma, and professional courses, as well as defense and specialized competitive exams, catering to multiple career paths.
  4. Preparation Strategy – Competitive exams like NDA, JEE, NEET, CAT, AIIMS, GPAT, and AIAPGET require structured preparation, with study plans and mock tests enhancing success chances.
  5. State & University-Level Exams – These provide regional opportunities and often serve as stepping stones for careers in professional streams such as nursing, paramedical, and physiotherapy.

Overall, 2026 is a promising year for aspirants aiming to secure seats in prestigious institutions, professional programs, and government positions. Proper planning, awareness of exam schedules, and dedicated preparation can help candidates maximize their chances of success across streams.

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