The exam calendar for 2026 is now taking shape, giving students a clear view of what lies ahead. With national entrance tests starting early in the year and board exams stretching into April, the academic schedule looks packed.

Schools, coaching centres and families often wait for these signals to fix study plans, revision cycles, mock tests and travel.If you are preparing for competitive or board exams, this early outline helps you plan better. You can now see how the year may unfold, month by month, across major exams. It also helps you avoid clashes between entrance tests and boards, manage stress, and pace preparation across months without last minute confusion for students and parents nationwide this year together.National-level entrance exams set the paceEngineering and medical entrance tests will lead the exam season in 2026. These exams begin early and continue into mid-year.

**Exam
**

Schedule

JEE Main 2026 Session 1

January 21 to January 30, 2026

JEE Main 2026 Session 2

April 2 to April 9, 2026

JEE Advanced 2026

May 17, 2026 (tentative)

CUET 2026

May 2026 (expected)

FMGE

January 17, 2026

GPAT

March 7, 2026

NEET UG 2026 timelineNEET remains one of the most competitive exams in the country. The full cycle runs from the exam to counselling over several months.

**Event
**

Date

Exam date

May 3, 2026

Admit card release

April 2026

Provisional answer key

Fourth week of May 2026

Final answer key and result

Second week of June 2026

Counselling begins

July 1, 2026

UPSC exams stretch across the yearThe UPSC examination cycle is long and demanding, covering multiple stages.

**Stage
**

Expected timeline

Civil Services Preliminary exam

Late May or early June 2026

Civil Services Main exam

September 2026

Personality test

Early 2027

Other UPSC exams will also be held during the year.

**Exam
**

Expected schedule

CDS (I)