Explore the complete list of entrance exams in India 2026, including JEE, NEET, CUET, CAT, CLAT, GATE, NDA, NIFT, and more. Check eligibility, exam types, and admission details.
Entrance exams in India are the gateway to admission into top colleges and universities for undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), diploma, and professional courses. Every year, lakhs of students appear for engineering, medical, law, management, agriculture, defence, design, and other entrance exams to secure admission to prestigious institutions like IITs, NITs, AIIMS, NLUs, IIMs, and Central Universities.
In this guide, you’ll find the complete list of entrance exams in India, categorized by stream, eligibility, exam level, and the courses they offer.
Current Active Entrance Exam
CLAT Exam 2026 – Apply Online for UG & PG Law Admission, Eligibility, Exam Date, Fees – Last Date: 31 October 2026
GATE Exam 2027 – Eligibility, Salary, Job Profile & Career Growth – Last Date: 21 September 2026
All India Bar Examination 2026 – Complete Guide, Exam Date, Admit Card, Syllabus
Indian Army TGC 2026 (B.E / B.Tech Technical Entry)
KVS Class 1 Admission 2026-27 Full Information
Indian Navy SSR Medical Branch Recruitment
What Are Entrance Exams?
Entrance exams are competitive examinations conducted by the Central Government, State Governments, universities, or private institutions to select candidates for admission into various academic programs.
Depending on the course, entrance exams may test subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English, Logical Reasoning, General Knowledge, and Aptitude.
Types of Entrance Exams in India
There are four major categories of entrance exams in India:
- National-Level Entrance Exams
- State-Level Entrance Exams
- University-Level Entrance Exams
- Institute-Specific Entrance Exams
Engineering Entrance Exams
National Level
- JEE Main
- JEE Advanced
State Level
- MHT CET
- WBJEE
- KCET
- KEAM
- AP EAPCET
- TG EAPCET
- GUJCET
- BCECE
- CG PET
- JKCET
- OJEE
Private University Level
- BITSAT
- VITEEE
- SRMJEEE
- MET
- KIITEE
- LPU NEST
- SAAT
- COMEDK UGET
Medical Entrance Exams
Undergraduate
- NEET UG
- AIIMS B.Sc Nursing
- JIPMER Nursing
Postgraduate
- NEET PG
- INI CET
Law Entrance Exams
- CLAT
- AILET
- SLAT
- MHCET Law
MBA Entrance Exams
- CAT
- XAT
- CMAT
- MAT
- NMAT
- SNAP
- ATMA
University Admission Entrance Exams
- CUET UG
- CUET PG
Design Entrance Exams
- NID DAT
- UCEED
- CEED
- NIFT Entrance Exam
Architecture Entrance Exams
- NATA
- JEE Main Paper 2
Agriculture Entrance Exams
- ICAR AIEEA
- UPCATET
- KEAM Agriculture
Pharmacy Entrance Exams
- GPAT
- MHT CET (Pharmacy)
- AP EAPCET Pharmacy
- TG EAPCET Pharmacy
Hotel Management Entrance Exams
- NCHM JEE
Science Entrance Exams
- IISER Aptitude Test (IAT)
- NEST
- IIT JAM
Defence Entrance Exams
- NDA
- CDS
- AFCAT
- Indian Navy 10+2 B.Tech Entry
- Army Technical Entry Scheme (TES)
Teacher Education Entrance Exams
- B.Ed Entrance Exam
- ITEP Entrance Exam
- State B.Ed CET
Computer Application Entrance Exams
- NIMCET
- TANCET MCA
Commerce Entrance Exams
- CA Foundation
- CSEET
- CMA Foundation
Entrance Exams After 12th
Students who have passed Class 12 can apply for various entrance exams depending on their stream.
PCM Students
- JEE Main
- JEE Advanced
- BITSAT
- VITEEE
- MHT CET
- WBJEE
- KCET
PCB Students
- NEET UG
- AIIMS Nursing
- JIPMER Nursing
Commerce Students
- CUET
- CA Foundation
- CSEET
Arts Students
- CLAT
- CUET
- NIFT
- NID
Entrance Exams After Graduation
- CAT
- GATE
- XAT
- CMAT
- NEET PG
- INI CET
- IIT JAM
- CUET PG
- NIMCET
National vs State vs University-Level Entrance Exams
| Type | Conducted By | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| National Level | Central Government / National Agencies | JEE Main, NEET UG, CAT, CUET |
| State Level | State Governments | MHT CET, WBJEE, KCET, KEAM |
| University Level | Universities | BITSAT, VITEEE, SRMJEEE |
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility varies by exam. However, the common requirements include:
- Passing Class 12 for UG entrance exams.
- Bachelor’s degree for PG entrance exams.
- Required subjects (PCM, PCB, Commerce, etc.) as specified.
- Minimum qualifying marks according to the examination authority.
Benefits of Entrance Exams
- Admission to top government and private colleges.
- Merit-based and transparent selection process.
- Access to scholarships in many institutions.
- Better career opportunities.
- Eligibility for counselling and seat allocation across India.
Preparation Tips
- Understand the latest exam syllabus.
- Create a daily study timetable.
- Practice previous years’ question papers.
- Take regular mock tests.
- Improve speed and accuracy.
- Revise important concepts frequently.
- Stay updated with official notifications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which is the toughest entrance exam in India?
JEE Advanced, NEET UG, CAT, and CLAT are among the most competitive entrance exams in India.
Which entrance exam is best after Class 12?
It depends on your career goal:
- Engineering: JEE Main
- Medical: NEET UG
- Law: CLAT
- Design: NIFT or NID
- Central Universities: CUET UG
What is the difference between national and state-level entrance exams?
National-level exams provide admission across India, while state-level exams are mainly used for admission to colleges within a particular state.
Can I appear for multiple entrance exams?
Yes. Students commonly appear for multiple exams to increase their admission opportunities.
