National exams
JEE Main and JEE Advanced. Results feed JoSAA counselling for the IITs, NITs, IIITs and GFTIs, and many state processes.
Engineering Entrance Exams
Engineering Entrance Exams in India 2026
National, state and university exams all lead to a B.Tech seat. Here is what each one is for, when it's held, who can sit it and which colleges it opens.
- Exam levels: national, state, university
- 3
- JEE Main sessions a year
- 2
- Core Class 12 subjects
- PCM
Choosing the Right Exams
Engineering admission in India runs on entrance exams held at three levels. National exams such as JEE Main and JEE Advanced lead to the IITs, NITs, IIITs and many state colleges. State exams fill government and private seats within a state. Private universities run their own tests for their campuses.
Most students sit two to four exams: JEE Main as a base, their home state's exam, and one or two university exams that match their budget and preferred locations. Picking a sensible mix early gives you a fallback without spreading your preparation too thin.
Major Engineering Entrance Exams and Dates 2026
| Exam | Conducted by | Exam dates (2026) | Leads to | Eligibility highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEE Main | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Session 1: 21–30 Jan; Session 2: 1–10 Apr | NITs, IIITs, GFTIs | No age limit. Class 12 with PCM, passed in 2024 or 2025 or appearing in 2026. |
| JEE Advanced | One of the seven zonal IITs | May (tentative) | IITs | Rank among the top 2.5 lakh in JEE Main. IIT admission also needs 75% in Class 12 or a top-20-percentile board result. |
| BITSAT | BITS Pilani | Session 1: May; Session 2: June | BITS Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad | 75% aggregate in PCM (PCB for pharmacy) with at least 60% in each subject. |
| VITEEE | Vellore Institute of Technology | 28 Apr – 3 May (tentative) | VIT Vellore, Chennai, Bhopal and Amaravati | 60% aggregate in PCM/PCB (50% for reserved categories). |
| SRMJEEE | SRM Institute of Science and Technology | Phase 1: 23–28 Apr; Phase 2: 10–15 Jun; Phase 3: 4–5 Jul | SRM campuses (Chennai, Delhi NCR, AP and others) | 50–60% aggregate in PCM/PCB, depending on campus. |
| MET | Manipal Academy of Higher Education | Phase 1: April; Phase 2: May | Manipal Institute of Technology campuses | Class 12 with Physics, Mathematics and English; 50% aggregate in PCM. |
| COMEDK UGET | COMEDK | May (tentative) | Private engineering colleges in Karnataka | 45% aggregate in PCM (40% for reserved categories). |
| MHT CET | State CET Cell, Maharashtra | May (tentative) | Maharashtra colleges, including COEP and VJTI | Indian national; Class 12 with PCM/PCB, 45% aggregate (40% for reserved categories). |
| WBJEE | West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board | April (tentative) | Jadavpur University and West Bengal engineering colleges | 45% aggregate in PCM (40% for reserved categories), with English. |
Dates are as announced or expected for the 2026 cycle. Conducting bodies can change dates and rules, so always confirm on the official exam website.
National, State and University Exams
State exams
MHT CET, WBJEE, KCET, KEAM, AP and TG EAPCET and others fill state government and private college seats.
University exams
BITSAT, VITEEE, SRMJEEE, MET and similar tests lead to seats at that university's campuses only.
How to Plan Your Exams
Start with JEE Main
It is accepted most widely, so it should anchor your plan whatever else you take.
Add your home state's exam
State quotas often give home-state candidates the best chance at government colleges.
Pick one or two university exams
Choose universities that fit your budget, preferred cities and branch.
Track every deadline
Registration windows open months ahead and rarely reopen.
Prepare for counselling
A good score only becomes a good seat with careful choice filling.
After the Exam
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
JEE Main. It leads to the NITs, IIITs and GFTIs, is used by many state counselling processes, and is the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced and the IITs.