Hey, future star! Scrambling to beat the clock for those big entrance tests? Whether you're a school student wrapping up boards or a college student eyeing advanced programs, knowing upcoming national entrance tests registration openings keeps you ahead in India's competitive education race. From CUET UG to JEE Main, these gateways unlock top universities and learning opportunities. No panic—here's your friendly calendar, tips, and paths to academic success with real timelines as of January 2026.
Key National Entrance Tests Opening Soon
India's NTA runs the show for most. Registrations kick off early year for May-July exams. Mark calendars—deadlines sneak fast, but corrections save slips.
- CUET UG 2026: Open now! Started January 3, closes January 30 (11:50 PM). Correction window Feb 2-4. Exam May 11-31. For 250+ unis; pick subjects smart.
- NCET 2026: Registration January 2026 (likely mid-month), ends March. Admit April. Targets NCT courses—education streams.
- JEE Main 2026 Session 1: Closed Nov 27, but Session 2 expected Feb 2026 open. Exam Jan 21-30 (Ses1 done), Apr 1-10 (Ses2).
- NIFT Entrance 2026: Ongoing/Dec start for UG/PG fashion design. Closes soon—check nta.ac.in.
- NEST 2026: Opens Jan 5 (today!), closes Apr 6. Correction Apr 13. For NISER/CEBS integrated MSc.
- NEET UG 2026: Feb-Mar expected; exam May. Watch nta.ac.in post-CUET.
School students, CUET first—aligns with boards. College students, NCET/JRF for PG leaps.
2026 Registration Calendar Snapshot
| Exam | Registration Open | Last Date | Exam Window | Portal |
| CUET UG | Jan 3 (ongoing) | Jan 30 | May 11-31 | cuet.nta.nic.in |
| NCET | Jan 2026 | Mar 2026 | Apr-May | nta.ac.in |
| JEE Main Ses2 | Feb 2026 (exp) | Mar 2026 | Apr 1-10 | jeemain.nta.ac.in |
| NIFT UG/PG | Dec-Jan (ongoing) | Jan-Feb | Feb-Mar | nta.ac.in/NIFT |
| NEST | Jan 5 | Apr 6 | Jun (tent) | nestexam.in |
| NEET UG | Feb-Mar | Mar-Apr | May | neet.nta.ac.in |
Why These Tests Matter for Your Future
CUET democratizes uni access—no more individual entrances. JEE/NEET gate IITs/AIIMS. NIFT crafts fashion leaders; NEST sparks research. Trends: Hybrid modes, more slots ease rush.
Scholarships tie-in—top scorers snag merit aid via NSP. Delays possible (CUET history), so buffer prep.
Pro Tips to Nail Registration
- Gear Up Now: Aadhaar ready, Class 10/12 marks scanned, photo specs perfect.
- Fee Hack: EWS/OBC discounts; pay early avoids hikes.
- Subject Picks: CUET—max 5 tests; match future major.
- City Choices: Opt flexible—NTA assigns.
- Track Alerts: NTA app, SMS packs.
Common slip: Wrong email—use Gmail. Parents: One tab per kid.
Prep While You Register: Beat the Rush
Open windows = prep gold. Daily mocks for CUET; NCERT for JEE/NEET. Apps like Unacademy bridge gaps.
School students, balance boards (CBSE tweaks ongoing). College students, leverage for lateral jumps.
Balancing Act Table
| Test | Prep Focus | Time Left |
| CUET UG | Domain + GK | 4 months |
| JEE Ses2 | Physics/Math | 2-3 months |
| NEET | Bio heavy | 3 months |
| NEST | Pure sciences | 4 months |
Wellness: 6 hrs sleep, walks—stress kills scores.
Challenges and Fixes
Glitches? Helpline 011-40759000. Corrections limited—double-check. Rural net woes? Cyber cafes.
Trends: Rising apps (CUET 25L+ last year)—score 90+ percentile for edges.
Opportunities Waiting Post-Test
Crack these? DU/IITs open, plus scholarships for college students. CUET scorers grab SWAYAM credits early.
Gear Up: Your Spot Awaits
Upcoming national entrance tests registration openings like CUET (now!) signal go-time for 2026 dreams. From Jan rushes to Apr deadlines, you've got the map.
Act fast: Hit cuet.nta.nic.in today, bookmark NTA, plan mocks. School students, register post-boards. College students, pivot strong. Tests are steps, not walls—charge ahead to your wins!







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