Engineering entrance exams in India after 12th for students

Engineering is one of the most popular undergraduate programmes in India. Over 15 lakh candidates appear in engineering entrance exams after class 12th in India to gain admission to their preferred engineering courses in top colleges in the country. National and state-level engineering entrance exams are conducted every year.

Candidates may appear for more than one exam in an academic session to improve their chances of getting admission to different engineering colleges. Here is everything you need to know about the list of engineering entrance exams, important dates, eligibility criteria and more.

Key highlights:

  • Introduction to Engineering Entrance Exams in India After 12th (2026)
  • Top Engineering Entrance Exams in India 2026
  • Preparation Tips for Engineering Entrance Exams
  • Financing Your Engineering Course with Avanse
  • FAQs on Engineering Entrance Exams 2026
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Top Engineering Entrance Exam in India 2026

If you want to pursue engineering, you must appear in a recognised engineering entrance exam and succeed in building a fruitful academic future. Here is the list of popular engineering entrance exams in India:

Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main

JEE Main is one of the most popular engineering entrance exams in India. The entrance exam is held by the National Test Agency (NTA). It was conducted in two sessions in January and April in 2026 and is expected to have similar schedule for 2027.

Candidates who had already applied for JEE Main Session 1 and wanted to appear for the April session were not required to register again. They could log in using their January session application number and password to verify their details, select the papers, and pay the application fee.

Exam Name JEE Main
Conducting Body National Test Agency
Exam Level National Level Entrance Exam
Eligibility Criteria
  • Candidates who have passed or appearing in class 12.
  • Physics and Mathematics are compulsory for BE/BTech
Exam Date
  • January 21 to 30 (Session 1) and April 2 to 9 (Session 2) for 2026
  • January 2027 (Session 1) and April 2027 (Session 2) (Tentative months)
Mode of Exam Computer-Based Test
Courses Offered BE/BTech, BArch, BPlanning

JEE Advanced

JEE Advanced is one of the top engineering entrance exams conducted by one of the zonal coordinating Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT). The candidate's exam score is used for admission to engineering programmes offered by different IITs.

Exam Name JEE Advanced
Conducting Body Zonal Coordinating IITs
Exam Level National Level Entrance Exam
Eligibility Criteria
  • Qualify among the top 2.5 lakh candidates in JEE Main BE/BTech paper.
  • Be born on or after 1 October 2001 (5-year relaxation for SC/ST/PwD candidates).
  • Attempt JEE Advanced a maximum of two times in two consecutive years.
  • Have appeared for Class 12 (or equivalent) for the first time in 2025 or 2026 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
Exam Date
  • May 17, 2026
  • May 2027 (Tentative)
Mode of Exam Computer-Based Test
Courses Offered Bachelor of Technology, Biochemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and more

Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test (BITSAT)

BITSAT is conducted by Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani. This is one of the top engineering entrance exams, conducted once a year, in which candidates appear to get admission in integrated first-degree programmes, such as Bachelor of Engineering (BE), Pharma, and Master of Science (MSc).

Exam Name BITSAT
Conducting Body Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani
Exam Level National Level Entrance Exam
Eligibility Criteria Candidates who have passed or appearing in class 12 with minimum 75% in Physics, Chemistry, Maths (PCM)or Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB).
Exam Date
  • April 15 to April 16, 2026 (Session 1) and May 24 to May 26, 2026 (Session 2) for 2026
  • May 20 to June 5, 2027 (Tentative exam window) for 2027
Mode of Exam Computer-Based Test
Courses Offered BE Computer Science, BE Electronics and Communication, BE Mechanical Engineering, and more.

SRM Joint Engineering Entrance Examination (SRMJEEE)

SRM Institute of Science and Technology conducts SRMJEEE. Candidates appear in this exam to get admission to engineering programmes offered in Kattankulathur, Ramapuram, Vadapalani, and Delhi NCR.

Exam Name SRMJEEE
Conducting Body SRM Institute of Science and Technology
Exam Level National Level Entrance Exam
Eligibility Criteria
  • Passed or appearing in Class 12 in the current academic year.
  • Minimum 60% aggregate in 3 subjects. Physics and Mathematics are compulsory subjects.
  • One additional subject required from: Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, Computer Science, Information Technology, Informatics Practices, Engineering Graphics, Botany, or Zoology.
Exam Date
  • April 23 to April 28, 2026 (Session 1)
  • June 10 to June 15, 2026 (Session 2)
  • July 4 to July 5, 2026 (Session 3)
Mode of Exam Remote Proctored Online Mode
Courses Offered BTech in Computer Science Engineering, BTech in Information Technology, BTech in Electronics and Communication Engineering, and more.

Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Entrance Examination (KIITEE)

KIITEE is conducted by Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology. Upon qualifying for this engineering entrance exam, candidates can get admission in undergraduate as well as postgraduate programmes. There are more than 60 test centres for this exam across the country.

Exam Name KIITEE
Conducting Body Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology
Exam Level National Level Entrance Exam
Eligibility Criteria
  • Passed or appearing in Class 12 in the current academic year.
  • Minimum 60% aggregate in 3 subjects. Physics and Mathematics are compulsory subjects.
Exam Date
  • April 16 to April 20, 2026 (Session 1)
  • June 10 to June 15, 2026 (Session 2)
  • July 4 to July 5, 2026
Mode of Exam Computer Based Test
Courses Offered BTech (Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, and more).

Preparation Tips for Engineering Entrance Exams

  • Include active learning techniques, such as summarisation, self-testing, and peer teaching, to develop a better grasp of subjects.
  • Follow the syllabus and exam pattern for engineering entrance examination preparation.
  • Create a smart timetable to dedicate ample time to each subject.
  • Use content mapping and mind maps to break complex topics into simple forms, and carry out quick revision after each topic.

Pursuing engineering by qualifying for the entrance exam is a big step towards building a fruitful career. Before enrolling in an engineering programme, you should do financial planning for stress-free education.

At Avanse Financial Services, we offer education loans to study abroad as well as in India. Our educational loans are customised to cater to your study needs. With 100% financing options, quick loan sanctions, flexible repayment options, we ensure a hassle-free education loan journey. You can also use our online education loan EMI calculator to estimate your monthly repayments for your education loan. Get in touch with us to learn more about our loan schemes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which engineering entrance exam should I take after Class 12th?

JEE Main, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, SRMJEEE, and state CET exams are popular engineering entrance examinations after class 12th in India.

2. What are the top 5 engineering exams other than JEE?

BITSAT, SRMJEEE, Vellore Institute of Technology Engineering Entrance Exam (VITEEE), KIITEE, and West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE) are some of the popular engineering entrance exams in India.

Also Read: Top 10 Private Engineering Colleges in India 2026

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