Students preparing for competitive exams and board exams in 2026 can now start planning early. This is an important step for their success. From JEE and NEET to CBSE, ICSE, and ISC board exams, the exam calendar for 2026 is taking shape. Consequently, this provides students with a clearer understanding of what lies ahead.
The schedule covers national-level entrance tests as well as Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations. As a result, both students and parents have a clear academic roadmap for the year ahead. Below is a simple, stream-wise and exam-wise break-up of the major exam dates that have been announced or tentatively indicated for 2026.
In this article, we will look into the exam calendar 2026. Students are advised to regularly visit our website for official updates and announcements.
National-level Entrance Exams: Exam Dates 2026
The year will begin with engineering and medical aspirants stepping into exam mode early, and starting structured JEE Main preparation can help students stay ahead. Consequently, these students will need to intensify their preparation. As the exams approach, they will focus more on their studies. Therefore, it’s important for them to manage their time effectively. Additionally, they may seek support from peers and mentors to enhance their understanding.
Below are the exam calendar dates 2026:
1. JEE Main 2026: Session 1 is scheduled from January 21 to January 30, while Session 2 will run from April 2 to April 9.
2. JEE Advanced 2026: The gateway to IITs is tentatively scheduled for May 17, 2026.
3. CUET 2026: The Common University Entrance Test is expected to take place in May 2026, though exact dates are awaited.
4. NBEMS: The NBEMS medical exams will be conducted on different dates, including FMGE on January 17 and GPAT on March 7.
NEET UG 2026 Exam Schedule
Medical aspirants should mark their exam calendars early. This is important because NEET remains one of the most competitive exams in the country. Therefore, being prepared in advance can make a significant difference in their success.
Below is the NEET UG 2026 exam schedule:
1. Exam date: May 3, 2026 (Sunday)
2. Admit card release: April 2026
3. Provisional answer key: Fourth week of May 2026
4. Final answer key and results: Second week of June 2026
5. Counselling begins: July 2026
UPSC Exam Calendar 2026
Civil services aspirants will step into a long testing cycle in 2026. Moreover, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is expected to stick to its traditional exam window. This means that from the preliminary test to the personality interview, the process will stretch across the entire year. Consequently, candidates will need to maintain sustained preparation and exercise patience throughout this demanding period.
1. UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 is expected to be held in late May or early June 2026.
2. UPSC Civil Services Main Examination 2026 is likely to begin in September 2026 and continue for five days.
3. UPSC Civil Services Personality Test (Interview) rounds are expected to take place in early 2027, following the declaration of the mains results.
Apart from the Civil Services Examination, the UPSC will also conduct several other national-level recruitment tests throughout the year. These tests include exams for Engineering Services, CDS, NDA, CAPF, and the Indian Forest Service. Furthermore, each of these exams has its own unique notification. Moreover, the exam schedule for each will be released separately.
CDS 2026 Exam Calendar
UPSC conducts the CDS examination twice every year. This examination offers entry into the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy.
| Exam Name | Expected Scheduled Date |
| CD (I) 2026 | February 2026 |
| CDS (II) 2026 | September 2026 |
The written exam is followed by the SSB interview process. Moreover, this process continues for several months after the results.
NDA 2026 Exam Calendar
The NDA exam serves as the main entry point for candidates. Specifically, those aspiring to join the Army, Navy, and Air Force right after school take this exam. The selection process consists of a written examination. Following this, candidates must undergo an SSB interview. Lastly, medical tests are conducted to ensure fitness for service.
1. NDA (I) 2026: Expected in April 2026
2. NDA (II) 2026: Expected in September 2026
CAPF 2026 Exam date
The CAPF (AC) exam is held once a year for recruitment to forces such as BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB.
1. CAPF (AC) 2026 written exam: Expected in August 2026 Candidates who clear the written test move on to physical standards tests, physical efficiency tests and interviews.
CBSE Board Exams 2026 Date Sheet
The CBSE board exams 2026 for Class 10 and Class 12 board exams are set to begin on February 17, 2026. Furthermore, they will continue until April 9, 2026. Specifically, the Class 10 exams will be conducted in two phases. On the other hand, the Class 12 exams will follow a stream-wise schedule.
1. CBSE Class 10 Board Exam Date Sheet 2026 (Major Subjects)
All exams will be held from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
| Subject | Exam Date |
| Mathematics | Tuesday, February 17, 2026 |
| English | Tuesday, February 21, 2026 |
| Science | Wednesday, February 25, 2026 |
| Sanskrit | Saturday, February 28, 2026 |
| Hindi | Monday, March 2, 2026 |
| Social Science | Saturday, March 7, 2026 |
2. CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026: Stream-wise Overview
| Stream | Exam Dates |
| Science | February 17 to March 27, 2026 |
| Commerce | February 22 to March 28, 2026 |
| Humanities (Arts) | February 24 to April 4, 2026 |
3. CBSE Class 12 Science Stream Date Sheet 2026
(All exams from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM)
| Science Subjects | Exam Date |
| Physical Education | February 18 |
| Physics | February 20 |
| Chemistry | February 28 |
| Mathematics / Applied Mathematics | March 9 |
| English Core / Elective | March 12 |
| Computer Science / Informatics Practices | March 25 |
| Biology | March 27 |
4. CBSE Class 12 Commerce Stream Date Sheet 2026
| Commerce Subjects | Exam Date |
| Business Studies | February 22 |
| Mathematics / Applied Mathematics | March 9 |
| English Core / Elective | March 12 |
| Accountancy | March 24 |
| Economics | March 28 |
5. CBSE Class 12 Arts (Humanities) Date Sheet 2026
| Humanities (Arts) Subjects | Exam Date |
| Geography | February 24 |
| English Core / Elective | March 12 |
| Hindi Elective / Core | March 16 |
| Economics | March 18 |
| Political Science | March 23 |
| History | March 30 |
| Regional Languages | April 6 |
| Regional Languages | April 8 |
ICSE Class 10 Board 2026 Exam Dates
The ICSE Class 10 exams will start on February 17, 2026. The first subject will be English Language. The exams will conclude on March 30, 2026.
Key subject dates include:
- Mathematics: March 2
- Physics: March 9
- Chemistry: March 11
- Biology: March 13
- History & Civics: March 16
- Geography: March 18
Practical exams will be conducted earlier, in January 2026.
1. ISC Class 12 Board Exams Dates 2026
The ISC Class 12 exams will run from February 12 to April 6, 2026. They will start earlier than in previous years. This change is intended to give students more preparation time.
- Start date: February 12, 2026 (Psychology)
- End date: April 6, 2026 (Geography)
- Key subjects include: Chemistry (February 23), History (February 25) and Commerce (February 27)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the exam calendar 2026 is important for students. It allows them to plan and prepare effectively for key tests such as JEE, NEET, and CBSE. Furthermore, staying informed is crucial. Additionally, being organized will help students succeed in their academic goals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
When will the JEE Main exams be conducted in 2026?
The JEE Main 2026 will have two sessions. Session 1 is scheduled from January 21 to January 30, while Session 2 will take place from April 2 to April 9, 2026.
What is the exam date for NEET UG 2026?
The NEET UG 2026 exam is set to take place on May 3, 2026 (Sunday). Students should stay tuned for the release of the admit card in April 2026.
When do the CBSE board exams start in 2026?
The CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 board exams will commence on February 17, 2026, and will continue until April 9, 2026. The exams for Class 10 will be conducted in two phases, while Class 12 will follow a stream-wise schedule.
