If you’ve just finished Class 12, this is the next big question—which entrance exam should I take in 2026?
This article walks you through every major Entrance Exam After 12th in India: national, state, government, and defence. You’ll find exam dates, eligibility, application links, and fees in one place. It’s written for both students and parents who want clarity, not confusion.
Disclaimer: All information below is based on official notifications from NTA, UPSC, CLAT Consortium, and respective state or institutional bodies as of November 2024. Dates and fees may change; always verify on the official website before applying.
What Are Entrance Exams After 12th?
Entrance exams after 12th are gateway tests for admission into UG courses, government jobs, or defence academies in India.
These exams decide where you study next—or in some cases, where you start working.
They aren’t limited to engineering or medicine; there are entrances for commerce, design, law, management, hospitality, defence, and government sectors too.
Why Entrance Exams Matter
- Merit-based entry into top universities and institutes
- Eligibility for government-funded seats (with lower fees)
- Early career clarity—professional course or government path
- Competitive prep builds discipline and focus early
If you’re still deciding, check Best Career Options After 12th for clarity on where each stream can lead.
National-Level Entrance Exams After 12th (2025)
Below are the top national-level exams sorted stream-wise. Each table lists the conducting body, eligibility, 2025 dates, official link, and exam fee.
Science (PCM / PCB)
| Exam | Conducting Body | Eligibility | 2025 Dates | Official Link | Exam Fee (UR) |
| NEET UG (MBBS/BDS/AYUSH/Nursing) | NTA | 10+2 with PCB & English; 17 yrs min age | 4 May 2025 | neet.nta.nic.in | ₹ 1,700 |
| JEE Main (BE/BTech/BArch/BPlan) | NTA | 10+2 with PCM; 75% criteria for IIT/NIT | Session 1: 22–31 Jan Session 2: 1–8 Apr 2025 | jeemain.nta.nic.in | ₹ 1,000 (one paper) |
| CUET-UG (Science/All streams) | NTA | Class 12 with relevant subjects | May–Jun 2025 slots | cuet.nta.nic.in | As per Info Bulletin |
| BITSAT | BITS Pilani | 10+2 with PCM / PCB (for Pharm) | May–Jun 2025 | bitsadmission.com | As per session cycle |
| VITEEE | VIT University | 10+2 with PCM / PCB | 20–27 Apr 2025 | viteee.vit.ac.in | As per notice |
| SRMJEEE | SRM Institute | 10+2 with PCM / PCB | Phase 1: 22–27 Apr Phase 2: 12–17 Jun 2025 | srmist.edu.in | As per notice |
| NATA (Architecture) | Council of Architecture | 10+2 with PCM or 10+3 Diploma with Maths | Apr–Aug 2025 sessions | nata.in | As per brochure |
| NCHM-JEE (Hotel Management) | NTA for NCHMCT | Any stream with English | 27 Apr 2025 | exams.nta.ac.in/NCHM | As per Info Bulletin |
Commerce / Management
Commerce students can pursue management, finance, or economics through these national-level exams.
| Exam | Conducting Body | Eligibility | 2025 Dates | Official Link | Exam Fee (UR) |
| CUET-UG (BBA/BCom/BSc Econ) | NTA | Class 12 in relevant subjects | May–Jun 2025 | cuet.nta.nic.in | As per Info Bulletin |
| IPMAT (IIM Rohtak) | IIM Rohtak | 10+2 with minimum % set by IIM | 5 May 2025 | iimrohtak.ac.in | As per notice |
| NPAT (NMIMS University) | NMIMS | 10+2 from any stream | Apr–May 2025 window | npat.nmims.edu | Dynamic (fee per retake) |
| SET (Symbiosis Entrance Test) | Symbiosis Int. University | 10+2 in any stream | 5 & 11 May 2025 | set-test.org | As per brochure |
Most of these lead to business, finance, or management degrees with strong campus placements.
Explore Career Favor guide on Best Career Options After 12th Commerce to compare pay scales and future growth.
Arts / Humanities / Law / Design
Arts-stream students can access law, design, and media careers through these creative and analytical entrance tests.
| Exam | Conducting Body | Eligibility | 2025 Dates | Official Link | Exam Fee (UR) |
| CUET-UG (Arts/Humanities courses) | NTA | Class 12 | May–Jun 2025 | cuet.nta.nic.in | As per Info Bulletin |
| CLAT UG (Law – 5 yr BA LLB) | Consortium of NLUs | 10+2 with 45% (40% SC/ST) | 1 Dec 2024 (for 2025 session) | consortiumofnlus.ac.in | ₹ 4,000 (Gen) |
| AILET (Law – NLU Delhi) | NLU Delhi | 10+2 with 45% min | Dec 2024 | nationallawuniversitydelhi.in | As per notice |
| NIFT Entrance (Fashion/Design) | NTA for NIFT | 10+2 any stream | Jan 2025 tentative | nift.ac.in/admission | As per brochure |
| NID DAT (Design) | NID Ahmedabad Group | 10+2 | Dec 2024 prelims | admissions.nid.edu | As per brochure |
| UCEED (Design at IITs) | IIT Bombay | 10+2 | Jan 2026 for next cycle | uceed.iitb.ac.in | As per year brochure |
| NCHM-JEE (Hotel Mgmt.) | NTA for NCHMCT | Any stream with English | 27 Apr 2025 | exams.nta.ac.in/NCHM | As per brochure |
Interested in creative fields? Check Career Options After 12th Arts) for design, law, and media careers explained with salaries and job roles.
State-Level Entrance Exams (2025)
| Exam | Conducting Body | Eligibility | 2025 Dates | Official Link | Exam Fee (UR) |
| MHT-CET (PCM/PCB) | Maharashtra CET Cell | 10+2 with PCM/PCB | Apr–May 2025 window Results 16 Jun 2025 | cetcell.mahacet.org | As per brochure |
| KCET | Karnataka Exams Authority | 10+2 (PCM/PCB) | 15–17 Apr 2025 | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea | As per notice |
| WBJEE | WBJEE Board | 10+2 with PCM | Apr 2025 held | wbjeeb.nic.in | As per notice |
| KEAM | CEE Kerala | 10+2 with PCM/PCB | 23–29 Apr 2025 | cee.kerala.gov.in | As per notice |
| TS EAPCET (EAMCET) | TSCHE Telangana | 10+2 MPC/BiPC | 5–7 May 2025 | eapcet.tsche.ac.in | As per notice |
| AP EAPCET (EAMCET) | APSCHE Andhra Pradesh | 10+2 MPC/BiPC | Apr 2025 | cets.apsche.ap.gov.in/EAPCET | As per brochure |
State CETs are ideal for students preferring in-state colleges or lower tuition fees.
To see which CET aligns with your marks and stream, refer to (Internal link: CareerFavor guide on State Entrance Exams After 12th).
Government & Defence Entrance Exams After 12th (2025-26)
These national-level exams allow 12th-pass candidates to join the Indian Armed Forces or central government services.
| Exam / Entry | Conducting Body | Eligibility | 2025 Dates | Official Link | Exam Fee |
| NDA & NA (I/II) | UPSC | 10+2; Physics + Maths for Air Force/Navy | NDA II – 14 Sep 2025 | upsc.gov.in | ₹ 100 (UR) Female/SC/ST exempt |
| Indian Air Force – Agniveer Vayu | CASB (IAF) | 10+2 with PCM for Science entry | As per 2025 intake window | agnipathvayu.cdac.in | Nominal (~₹ 250) |
| Indian Navy – Agniveer (SSR/MR) | Indian Navy | SSR: 10+2 with PCM; MR: 10th pass | 02/2025 & 01/2026 cycles | joinindiannavy.gov.in | As per notification |
| Indian Coast Guard – Navik (GD/DB) | ICG (C-DAC) | GD – 10+2; DB – 10th | Stage 1: Apr 2025 Next phases Jun/Sep | joinindiancoastguard.cdac.in | As per notification |
| SSC CHSL (12th Level Govt Jobs) | Staff Selection Commission | 10+2; Age 18–27 | Tier 1: Sep–Nov 2025 | ssc.gov.in | ₹ 100 (UR) Female/SC/ST exempt |
These paths lead directly to uniformed service or central government posts. For more details on job profiles, visit Government Jobs After 12th.
How to Choose the Right Exam
Snippet summary: Match your stream, interest, and timeline before registering.
- Start from your stream: Science → Engineering/Medical; Commerce → Business/Law; Arts → Design/Media/Law.
- Check eligibility early. Many exams reject late form corrections.
- Map exam dates to your board schedule. Avoid overlap.
- Compare difficulty and application fees.
- Keep 1-2 backup options. A parallel exam can save you a year.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Waiting for board results before registering
- Ignoring official mock tests (especially NTA exams)
- Over-applying to 6–8 exams without focus
- Missing admit-card download deadlines
- Not checking “English compulsory” clauses in hospitality and design exams
Closing Thoughts
Choosing the right Entrance Exam After 12th isn’t about chasing the toughest paper—it’s about aligning your interest, stream, and long-term plan. The earlier you decide, the smoother your next year goes. Bookmark this list and revisit once new notifications drop.
Keep exploring related articles on Career Favor:
- Lists of Government Exams After 12th
- Best Professional Courses After 12th
- Lists of Fast-Growing Careers
- Best High Salary Career Options
- Upcoming Government Jobs After 12th
FAQs
Relatively easier ones include state CETs, design aptitude tests, and hotel management exams that don’t rely heavily on Physics/Maths.
Yes. NEET, law (CLAT/AILET), design (NIFT/NID), and hotel management (NCHM-JEE) don’t require maths.
NDA, SSC CHSL, and Agniveer Vayu/Navy are major central-level options.
Yes. JEE Main, CUET, NPAT, SET, and many private-university exams are fully online (computer-based).
Engineering (JEE), Medical (NEET), and Law (CLAT) consistently lead to high-salary career tracks.
Himanshu is a seasoned digital marketing professional with expertise in SEO and social media marketing. With his insightful blogs and articles, Himanshu has been guiding students and professionals in choosing the right career. He shares useful insights and current trends on career choices that help readers choose the right profession.
