List of Popular Entrance Exams in India - Eligibility Criteria, Examination Dates, and Available Courses

  •  Content Creator : Gurleen
  • 21-03-2023

In the bustling landscape of the education system, navigating the path to higher education often begins with conquering the hurdles of cracking the popular entrance exams in India are categorised into national and state levels, and serve as gateways to prestigious institutes and a myriad of courses across various domains. From engineering and medical sciences to management and law, these entrance exams play a pivotal role in shaping the academic journeys of countless aspirants each year. Understanding their assessment levels, eligibility criteria, examination dates, and available courses is key to charting a successful course towards one’s educational aspirations.

Here is a categorised list of popular entrance exams in India that students often prepare for to secure admission to prestigious institutes and courses:

  1. Engineering Entrance Exams:

Entrance Exam Name 

Dates 

Eligibility 

Courses 




 

JEE Main 1 

January Session 

 

Exam Date: 

24 January, 2024 - 

1 February, 2024  

 

Result Date: 

12 February, 2024 

 

April Session 

 

Exam Date: 

1-15 April, 2024   

 

Result Date: 

25 April, 2024 

  • Candidates must have passed their 10+2 examination or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
  • There is no age limit to appear for JEE Main 1.
  • Candidates can attempt JEE Main 1 a maximum of three times consecutively.



 
  • B.E. / B.Tech. 
  • Integrated B.Tech and M.Tech 



 

JEE Advanced 

 

Exam Date: 

26 May, 2024 

 

Result Date: 

9 June, 2024 

  • Candidates must qualify in JEE Main and meet the specified cut-off marks.
  • Candidates can attempt JEE Advanced a maximum of two times consecutively.
  • B.Tech, BS
  • B.Arch.
  • Dual Degree - B.Tech, M.Tech, BS, M.S
  • Integrated Masters - M.Tech, M.Sc, Dual Degree

BITSAT

Exam Date: 

19 May - 26 June, 2024(tentatively schedules)

  • The BITSAT eligibility criteria require candidates to pass their 10+2 exams with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) for engineering or Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) or PCM for B.Pharm, scoring a minimum of 75% marks in these subjects. 
  • English proficiency is necessary, and there is no age limit for BITSAT.
  • B.E: Chemical, Civil, Computer Science, Electrical and Electronics, Electronics & Instrumentation, Electronics & Communication, Mechanical, Manufacturing
 
  • B. Pharm
 
  • M.Sc in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Economics, Mathematics, Physics and General Studies

GATE 

Exam Date: 

 

February 3,4,10 & 11, 2024

 

Result Date: 

 

March 23, 2024

  • The GATE eligibility criteria require candidates to hold a Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Technology/Architecture or Master's degree in Science/Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Applications or equivalent. 
  • No age limit for GATE exam.
  • M.E
  • M.Tech
  • PhD
  1. Medical Entrance Exams: 

Entrance Exam Name 

Dates 

Eligibility 

Courses

AIIMS 

Exam Date: 

8 June, 2024 

 

Result Date: 

18 June, 2024

 

Note: 

You can check the specific dates from the official link 

https://www.aiimsexams.ac.in/info/keydates_2024.html  


 
  • 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English.
 
  • Around 60% for General category, lower for reserved categories.
 
  • General category - minimum 17 years old as of December 31; relaxation for reserved categories.
 
  • Indian nationals or OCI.
  • MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery)
 
  • BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
 
  • B.Sc (Hons) Nursing
 
  • B.Sc (Hons) Paramedical courses such as Medical Technology, Radiography, etc.
 
  • Postgraduate courses (MD/MS/MDS/M.Ch/DM) in various specialisations for medical and dental graduates.

NEET(UG)

Exam Date: 5 May, 2024

Result Date: 14 June, 2024 

  • Minimum 17 years with no upper age limit.
  • Passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English; minimum aggregate marks required vary by category.




 
  • MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)
 
  • BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
 
  • BHMS (Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery)
 
  • BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery)
 
  • BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery)
 
  • BSMS (Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery)
 
  • BSc Nursing (Honours)

NEET(PG)

Exam Date: 

7 July, 2024

 

Result Date: 

To be announced 

  • Recognised MBBS degree or provisional pass certificate.
  • Completed one-year rotatory internship.
  • Valid MCI or SMC registration.
  • Indian nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals.
  • No specific minimum marks required.
  • No limit on attempts.
  • MD
  • MS
  • PG Diploma
  • DNB post-MBBS

INI-CET PG

Exam Date: 

May 2024(tentative)

 

Result Date: 

May 2024(tentative)

 

The eligibility criteria for this entrance exam is similar to NEET(PG). 



 
  • MS
  • MD
  • DM
  • MDS
  • MCh
  1. Architecture Entrance Exam 

Entrance Exam Name 

Dates 

Eligibility 

Courses 

JEE Main 2

January session:  

 

Exam Date: 

24 January-1 February, 2024

 

Result Date: 12 February, 2024 

 

April Session: 

 

Exam Date: 1-15 April, 2024

 

Result Date: 25 April, 2024 

  • No age limit.
  • Passed or appeared in 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
  • Passed in 2023 or 2024; three consecutive attempts allowed.
  • Indian nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals.
  • Criteria vary for reserved categories.
  • B.Arch

NATA

Exam Date: 

 

6 April, 2024(tentatively scheduled)

 

Result Date: 

to be announced

  • Passed 10+2 with Mathematics (50% minimum marks).
  • Recognised board or university.
  • No age limit.
  • Up to five times in two years.
  • Indian nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals.
  • Criteria vary for reserved categories.
  • B.Arch
  1. Law Entrance Exam

Entrance Exam Name 

Dates 

Eligibility 

Courses

CLAT 

Exam Date: 

3 December, 2023 

 

Result Date: 

10 December, 2023 

  • Passed 10+2 (45% for general, 40% for SC/ST).
  • No upper age limit.
  • Unlimited Attempts 
  • Indian nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals.
  • Criteria vary for reserved categories.
  • BA LLB
  • B.Com LLB
  • B.Sc LLB
  • BBA LLB
  • BSW LLB
  • LLM 

CLAT(PG)

Exam Date: 

3 December, 2023 

 

Result Date: 

10 December, 2023 

  • Completed LL.B. (55% for general, 50% for SC/ST).
  • No upper age limit.
  • Unlimited attempts.
  • LLM

AILET

Exam Date: 

3 December, 2023 

 

Result Date: 

13 December, 2023

  • Completed 10+2 (45% for general, 40% for SC/ST).
  • No upper age limit.
  • Indian nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals.
  • BA LLB
  • LLM PhD

LSAT India 

Exam Date:  

 

20 January - 19 May, 2024 

 

Result Date: 

 

To be announced 

  • Candidates must have completed or should be in the final year of their 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognized board or university.
  • No specific age limit for LSAT India.
  • Indian nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals are eligible to apply for LSAT India.
  • There is no restriction on the number of attempts for LSAT India.
  • BA LLB
  • BA LLB
  • BSc LLB
  • LLM
  1. Fashion Design Entrance Exams 

Entrance Exam Name 

Dates 

Eligibility 

Courses

NIFT 

Exam Date: 

 

5 February, 2024 

 

Result Date: 

 

March 2024(to be announced)

  • Completed or appearing in 10+2 from a recognized board.
  • Maximum 23 years for undergraduates (5-year relaxation for SC/ST/PwD).
  • Bachelor's degree for Master's programs.
  • Indian nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals.
  • Multiple attempts allowed for entrance exams but only one application per course per year.
  • Criteria vary for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD).
  • BDes
  • BFTech
  • MDes
  • MFTech
  • MFM
     
  1. Hotel Management Entrance Exams                                    

Entrance Exam Name 

Dates 

Eligibility 

Courses 

NCHMCT JEE

Exam Date: 

 

11 May, 2024 

 

Result Date: 

 

July, 2024 

  • Pass 10+2 with English.
  • Up to 25 years for General/EWS, 28 for SC/ST.
  • Submit a fitness certificate.
  • Reservation Criteria is Applicable as per government rules.
  • Pass all subjects in 10+2.

 
  • B.Sc. in Hospitality and Hotel Administration
  • Diploma in Food Production
  • Diploma in Front Office Operations
  • Diploma in Housekeeping
  • Diploma in Food and Beverage Service

IIHM eCHAT

Exam Date:  

 

30 March, 2024 

 

Result Date: 

 

To be announced

  • 10+2 or equivalent from a recognised board.
  • Typically 50% aggregate in 10+2.
  • No specific age limit.
  • Proficiency in English required.
  • B.Sc. in Hospitality and Hotel Administration
  • B.A. in International Culinary Arts
  • BBA in Hospitality Management
  • BHM
  • Diploma in Hotel Management
  • Certificate programs in specific areas such as food production, front office operations, and housekeeping management.

IPU CET BHMCT 

Exam Date: 

 

April 27, 2024 to May 12, 2024

 

Result Date: 

  • 10+2 or equivalent with at least 50% marks.
  • English Proficiency required.
  • No specific age limit.
  • BHMCT
  • BBA in Hospitality and Tourism Management
  • B.A. in Culinary Arts
  • Diploma in Hotel Management
  1. Management Entrance Exams 

Entrance Exam Name 

Dates 

Eligibility 

Courses 

UGAT 

Exam Date:

 

4 May, 2024 

 

Result Date: 

 

June,2024 (tentatively scheduled)

  • 10+2 or equivalent with at least 50% marks.
  • No specific age limit.
  • Some courses may have specific subject requirements.
  • Check the official UGAT website for precise details.
  • MBA (IMBA), BBA, BCA, BHM, B.ComIntegrated, MBA (IMBA)
  • BBA
  • BCA
  • BBM
  • BHM
  • B.COM (E-Com) B.Sc. (IT)
  • BFT
  • Bachelor of Information Technology and Management

CMAT

Exam Date:

 

May, 2024(tentatively scheduled)

 

Result Date:

 

May, 2024(tentatively scheduled) 

  • Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least 50% marks.
  • Final year students can also apply.
  • No specific age limit.
  • Check the official CMAT website for precise details.
  • MBA
  • PGDM
  • MMS
  • Executive MBA programs
  • MBA in specific specialisations like Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, Operations, etc.
  • PhD programs in Management or related fields.

SNAP

Exam Date: 

 

Test 1: 8 December 2024

 

Test 2: 15 December 2024

 

Test 3: 22 December 2024

 

Result Date:

 

10 January 2025

  • Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least 50% marks.
  • Final year students can also apply.
  • Indian and foreign nationals eligible.
  • No specific age limit.
  • Check the official SNAP website for precise details.
  • MBA
  • PGDM
  • Executive MBA programs
  • MBA in specific specialisations like Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, Operations, etc.
  • MBA-IB
  • MBA-ITBM
  • MBA-IE
  • PhD programs in Management or related fields.

CAT 

Exam Date:

 

24 November, 2024

 

Result Date: 

 

December, 2024(tentatively scheduled)

  • Bachelor's degree from a recognised university.
  • Minimum 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST/PWD).
  • Final-year students can apply.
  • No age limit.
  • Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM/PGBM)
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  • Executive MBA (EMBA)
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)
  • Fellow Program in Management (FPM/Fellowship)
  • Executive Development Programs (EDPs)
  1. Film and Television Institute Entrance Exams 

Entrance Exam Name 

Dates 

Eligibility 

Courses 

FTII

Exam Date:

 

March, 2024(tentative)

 

Result Date: 

 

To be announced

  • Hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university.
  • Some courses may require 3 years of relevant work experience.
  • Check the official FTII website for specific eligibility details based on the course you're interested in.

Group A

  • Producing for Film & Television
  • Animation Cinema
  • Art Direction & Production Design
  • Screen Acting
  • Screenwriting
 

Group B

 
  • Direction and Screenplay writing
  • Cinematography
  • Editing
  • Sound Recording & Sound Design
 

Group C

 
  • Direction & Producing
  • Direction
  • Cinematography
  • Electronic Cinematography
  • Editing
  • Video Editing
  • Sound for Electronic and Digital Media
  • Sound Recording and Television Engineering
  • Electronic and Digital Media Management

Writing for Electronic and Digital Media

  1. Mass Communication Entrance Exams 

Entrance Exam Name 

Dates 

Eligibility 

Courses

JMI

Exam Date:

 

June, 2024(tentative)

 

Result Date: 

 

To be announced yet

  • Completion of required educational qualifications (10+2, Bachelor's degree, or equivalent).
  • Some courses may require a minimum percentage in the qualifying exam.
  • No specific age limit, but certain courses may have age restrictions.
  • Reservation policies apply as per government regulations.
  • Additional criteria like specific subjects, work experience (for PG courses), or language proficiency may apply.
  • Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM)
  • Master of Mass Communication (MMC)
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication (PGDMC)
  • Diploma in Still Photography and Visual Communication
  • Certificate Courses in Media and Communication
     

Furthermore, several popular entrance exams in India cater to a diverse range of academic and professional fields, offering opportunities for students to pursue their desired courses. These exams include JEE Main and JEE Advanced for engineering aspirants, NEET for medical and dental courses, BITSAT for admissions to BITS Pilani and other campuses, NATA for architecture programs, and CLAT for law studies. Additionally, exams like NIFT Entrance cater to the fashion industry, NCHMCT JEE for hotel management and GATE for postgraduate engineering studies. 

These entrance exams play a crucial role in determining admission to prestigious institutions and programs across the country, guiding students towards their chosen career paths based on their academic strengths and interests. Candidates preparing for these exams should familiarise themselves with the specific eligibility criteria, examination patterns and important dates to enhance their chances of success in securing admission to their preferred courses and institutions.