Top Entrance Exams in India After 12th

After completing Class 12, students in India face a wide range of competitive entrance exams that determine admission into higher education institutions. This comprehensive guide to entrance exams after 12th in India helps students make informed decisions aligned with their academic goals and career paths.

Categories of Entrance Exams After 12th in India

Entrance tests in India can be broadly categorized into three types:

1. National-Level Entrance Exams in India

These exams are conducted by central agencies for top institutions like IITs, NITs, AIIMS, and NLUs. They are recognized across India.

Top National Entrance Exams After 12th:

• JEE Main & Advanced (Engineering)
• NEET-UG (Medical)
• CUET-UG (Multiple streams)
• CLAT (Law)
• NATA (Architecture)
• UCEED / NID DAT / NIFT (Design)
• NCHM JEE (Hotel Management)
• ICAR AIEEA (Agriculture)
• NEST (Science)

2. State-Level Common Entrance Tests (CETs)

State CETs offer admission to government and private colleges within a particular state.

Popular State CETs in India:

• MHT-CET (Maharashtra)
• KCET (Karnataka)
• WBJEE (West Bengal)
• GUJCET (Gujarat)
• AP EAPCET (Andhra Pradesh)
• TS EAMCET (Telangana)
• KEAM (Kerala)

3. University-Specific Entrance Exams

Private and deemed universities conduct their own exams for admission.

Top University-Level Exams in India:

• BITSAT (BITS Pilani)
• VITEEE (VIT)
• MET (Manipal University)
• SRMJEEE (SRM University)
• IPMAT / JIPMAT (IIM Indore, Rohtak, Bodh Gaya, Jammu)
• SET (Symbiosis)
• NPAT (NMIMS)
• Christ University Entrance Test
• AMUEEE (AMU)
• JMI Entrance Exam (Jamia Millia Islamia)

Major Entrance Exams by Field of Study

Choosing the right entrance exam depends on the stream and career goals. Here is a breakdown by domain:

Engineering Entrance Exams

• Primary Keywords: engineering entrance exams after 12th, top engineering exams in India
• JEE Main & Advanced
• BITSAT, VITEEE, MET, KIITEE
• SRMJEEE, AMUEEE, State CETs (MHT-CET, KCET)
• CUET (for select programs)

Medical Entrance Exams

• Primary Keywords: medical entrance exams after 12th, NEET-UG exam details
• NEET-UG (MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, Veterinary)

Architecture Entrance Exams

• NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture)
• JEE Main Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Plan)

Law Entrance Exams

• CLAT (NLUs)
• AILET, LSAT-India, SLAT, MH CET Law
• CUET (for some programs)
• Christ University Law ET, AMU, JMI Law Entrance

Design & Fashion Entrance Exams

• UCEED (IITs)
• NID DAT (National Institute of Design)
• NIFT Entrance Exam
• Pearl Academy, Srishti Entrance Exams

Management (BBA/BMS) Entrance Exams

• IPMAT, JIPMAT
• SET General, NPAT
• CUET, Christ University ET

Science Entrance Exams (B.Sc, Integrated M.Sc.)

• CUET (main gateway)
• NEST, ICAR AIEEA
• IISER Aptitude Test (IAT)

Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

• CUET (mainstream route)
• Christ University ET, TISS-BAT, JMI Entrance Exam

Hotel Management

• NCHM JEE (by NTA)
• College/Hotel-specific entrance tests

Defence Services

• NDA & NA Exam (by UPSC)
• Indian Army TES / Navy TES (10+2 B.Tech Entry)

Key National-Level Exams Explained

JEE Main & JEE Advanced

• Keywords: JEE Main preparation, top engineering colleges India
• Admissions to NITs, IIITs, and IITs
• Requires PCM in 12th
• One of the most competitive exams in India

NEET-UG

• Keywords: NEET exam pattern, MBBS entrance exam India
• Single-window exam for MBBS, BDS, and allied medical fields
• Biology stream students with PCB are eligible

CUET-UG

• Keywords: CUET entrance exam 2025, central university admission
• Admissions to Delhi University, BHU, JNU, and 200+ universities
• General Test + Domain-Specific Subjects + Language

CLAT

• Keywords: CLAT 2025 syllabus, law entrance exams after 12th
• For BA LLB programs at National Law Universities
• Tests reasoning, legal aptitude, GK, and English

UCEED / NID / NIFT

• Keywords: design entrance exams India, B.Des entrance after 12th
• Assess creativity, observation, logical reasoning, general awareness

Important Entrance Exam Timeline in India

• Notifications: Begin around October–December each year
• Applications: From December to March (varies per exam)
• Exam Dates: Mostly April to June

Tip: Visit official websites like nta.ac.in, jeemain.nta.nic.in, and cuet.samarth.ac.in for updates.

How to Choose the Right Entrance Exam After 12th

• Assess your interests and strengths
• Research top colleges and their admission criteria
• Check eligibility, syllabus, and exam pattern
• Start early preparation with mock tests and coaching (if needed)

Conclusion

Understanding the wide array of entrance exams in India after 12th is essential for students aiming to secure admission to top colleges. Whether it is JEE for engineering, NEET for medicine, CLAT for law, or CUET for multidisciplinary programs, early planning and strategic preparation are key.

Stay informed about important dates and requirements to maximize your chances of success in India’s competitive entrance test environment.

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