Entrance Exams After 12th: The Complete List

Why so many entrance exams?

India does not have a single, universal entrance exam for all undergraduate courses. Instead, admission to different fields is governed by separate exams — some national, some state-level — each conducted by a different authority. This can seem confusing at first, but the structure is logical: the exam you need depends on which field you want to study and which institutions you are targeting.

This guide groups the main exams by field so you can quickly find the ones relevant to your goals. Every exam has a dedicated guide on this site with more detail on eligibility, pattern, and preparation — follow the links in each section.

Engineering entrance exams

Engineering is served by a two-tier national system and a set of state-level exams.

JEE Main (conducted by NTA) is the national exam for admission to NITs, IIITs, and centrally funded technical institutes. JEE Advanced (conducted by an IIT on a rotation basis) is the second stage for IIT admission — only top JEE Main qualifiers can appear.

State-level Common Entrance Tests (CETs) are conducted by each state for admission to state engineering colleges. Major examples include MHT CET (Maharashtra), KCET (Karnataka), WBJEE (West Bengal), AP EAPCET (Andhra Pradesh), TS EAMCET (Telangana), KEAM (Kerala), and GUJCET (Gujarat). Private universities also conduct their own tests: BITSAT (BITS Pilani), VITEEE (VIT), and COMEDK UGET (Karnataka private colleges).

The eligibility, pattern, marking, and dates for every exam are set in the official notification for that cycle — verify on the conducting body's official site.

• JEE Main → NITs, IIITs, GFTIs (national)
• JEE Advanced → IITs (national, for top JEE Main qualifiers)
• MHT CET → Maharashtra state colleges
• KCET → Karnataka state colleges
• WBJEE → West Bengal state colleges
• AP EAPCET → Andhra Pradesh state colleges
• TS EAMCET → Telangana state colleges
• BITSAT → BITS Pilani campuses
• VITEEE → VIT University

Medical, dental and health science exams

NEET UG (conducted by NTA) is the single national entrance exam for all MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH (BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS) undergraduate courses in India. Admission to AIIMS campuses is also through NEET UG. Counselling for the All-India Quota is conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC); states conduct their own state-quota counselling.

For nursing, pharmacy, and allied health courses, admission practices vary: some institutions use NEET scores, others use institutional or state-level tests, and some use Class 12 merit. Check each institution's official admission process.

• NEET UG → MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS (national)
• MCC counselling → All-India Quota MBBS/BDS/AYUSH seats
• State counselling → State quota seats

Central university and general undergraduate exams

CUET UG (Common University Entrance Test, conducted by NTA) is used by all central universities and a growing number of state, deemed, and private universities for undergraduate admission across streams — arts, science, and commerce. Universities that previously admitted on Class 12 merit alone, such as Delhi University, now use CUET UG scores.

For many state universities and affiliated colleges, admission is still on Class 12 board marks directly, without a separate entrance exam. Check each university's official admission notification.

• CUET UG → Central universities, many state/deemed/private universities
• Delhi University → admission via CUET UG
• State affiliating universities → often Class 12 merit-based; check officially

Law, design, management and other exams

Law: CLAT (Common Law Admission Test, conducted by the Consortium of NLUs) is the main exam for the National Law Universities. NLU Delhi admits through AILET (its own separate test). State law colleges have their own admission processes.

Design: NIFT Entrance Exam (NIFTEE, conducted by NTA on behalf of NIFT) for admission to the National Institute of Fashion Technology; NID DAT (Design Aptitude Test) for the National Institute of Design campuses.

Hotel Management: NCHM JEE (conducted by NTA) is the main exam for admission to the Institutes of Hotel Management under the National Council for Hotel Management.

Management at the undergraduate level: some universities use their own tests for BBA or BMS programmes; CUET UG is also accepted by many. The national CAT and XAT exams are for postgraduate MBA programmes and are not listed here.

For all exams, the conducting body, eligibility, dates, and application process are set annually in the official notification.

• CLAT → National Law Universities (NLUs)
• AILET → NLU Delhi
• NIFT Entrance → National Institute of Fashion Technology
• NID DAT → National Institute of Design
• NCHM JEE → IHM institutes (hotel management)