•  Content Creator : Prabhjot
• 2026-04-28

India’s medical education ecosystem continues to remain one of the most competitive academic pathways, with lakhs of students appearing every year for undergraduate, postgraduate, nursing, and screening examinations. From MBBS admissions through NEET UG to postgraduate medical seats via INI CET and NEET PG, the year 2026 includes several major medical entrance exams in India that can shape careers in healthcare, medicine, dentistry and allied sciences.

With multiple national-level examinations conducted by agencies such as the National Testing Agency (NTA), AIIMS New Delhi and the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), it becomes important for students to stay updated with both completed and upcoming medical exams throughout the year.

In this news, we bring a comprehensive list of all major medical entrance exams in 2026, including those already conducted, those currently ongoing and the major upcoming examinations scheduled for the remaining months of the year.

Below is the month-wise list of the top 13 medical entrance exams after 12th in 2026.

March 2026

1. JENPAS UG 2026

For students interested in nursing, paramedical and allied sciences in West Bengal, JENPAS UG remains a strong state-level pathway.

• Exam Timeline: Expected June 
• Conducting Body: WBJEEB
• Mode: Offline / CBT

Key Highlights:

• Best suited for students targeting nursing, physiotherapy and medical lab science careers after 12th.
• Covers admission into government and private colleges across West Bengal.
• Strong option for students exploring medical careers beyond MBBS and BDS.

April 2026

2. KCET (PCB Allied Health & Pharmacy)

For Karnataka students, KCET opens doors to pharmacy and allied healthcare programmes after PCB.

• Exam Date: 23–24 April 2026
• Conducting Body: Karnataka Examinations Authority
• Mode: Offline

Key Highlights:

• Best suited for pharmacy, BSc nursing, agriculture and allied healthcare admissions in Karnataka colleges.
• Opens pathways into state government, aided and private professional institutes across Karnataka.
• Strong option for students exploring medical careers after 12th without relying only on NEET.

May 2026

3. NEET UG 2026

The most important among all medical entrance exams in 2026, NEET UG remains the national gateway for MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and several healthcare UG courses. 

• Exam Date: 3 May 2026
• Conducting Body: NTA
• Mode: Offline

Key Highlights:

• Primary entrance exam for MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and several allied undergraduate medical programmes in India.
• Accepted by government, private, deemed universities and top national medical institutes.
• Best suited for Class 12 PCB students targeting doctor and clinical healthcare careers.

4. RUHS BSc Nursing 2026

For Rajasthan students, RUHS remains a leading nursing entrance exam after 12th.

• Exam Date: 21 May 2026
• Conducting Body: RUHS
• Mode: CBT / Offline

Key Highlights:

• Best suited for BSc Nursing, physiotherapy, pharmacy and paramedical admissions in Rajasthan colleges.
• Opens admission pathways into government, private and RUHS-affiliated professional institutes across the state.
• Strong option for students exploring medical careers after 12th beyond only MBBS and BDS.

5. CMC Vellore BSc Nursing

For students aiming for premium private nursing education after Class 12 PCB, CMC Vellore remains one of India’s most respected entrance pathways. The exam is especially suitable for students looking for clinical nursing, hospital care, and high-quality healthcare training opportunities.

• Exam Date: Expected May
• Conducting Body: CMC Vellore
• Mode: Online

Key Highlights:

• Best suited for students targeting top private BSc Nursing programmes with strong hospital exposure.
• Opens pathways into clinical nursing, ICU care, patient support and hospital administration careers.
• Strong option for students seeking premium healthcare education beyond state-level nursing exams.

6.Maharashtra Nursing CET 2026

The Maharashtra Nursing CET remains one of the most important state-level medical entrance exams after Class 12 PCB.

• Exam Date: 6–7 May 2026
• Conducting Body: State CET Cell, Maharashtra
• Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Key Highlights:

• Best for students targeting BSc Nursing admission in Maharashtra colleges.
• Covers admission into government, semi-government and private nursing institutes.
• Strong option for students planning a career in clinical nursing and hospital healthcare services after 12th.

June 2026

7. UP CNET 2026

UP CNET (Common Nursing Entrance Test) is one of the most important state-level medical entrance exams in India after Class 12 PCB. It is used for admission into government and private nursing colleges across Uttar Pradesh.

• Exam Date: 6 June 2026
• Conducting Body: Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University (ABVMU), Uttar Pradesh
• Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Key Highlights:

• BSc Nursing admissions in Uttar Pradesh colleges.
• Provides entry into government, private and affiliated nursing institutes across the state.
• Strong pathway for students interested in clinical nursing and hospital-based healthcare careers after 12th.

8.WB ANM / GNM 2026

For nursing diploma pathways after 12th, this is an important state exam.

• Exam Date: 14 June 2026
• Conducting Body: WBJEEB
• Mode: Offline / CBT

Key Highlights:

• Designed for students aiming to build a career in basic nursing, midwifery and primary healthcare services.
• A strong option for those who want to work in government hospitals, rural health centres and community clinics.
• Best suited for students looking for a quick entry into the healthcare workforce after 12th without pursuing long degree courses.

9. AIIMS BSc Nursing 2026

One of the most prestigious nursing entrances among medical entrance exams in 2026.

• Exam Date: 27 June 2026
• Conducting Body: AIIMS New Delhi
• Mode: CBT

Key Highlights:

• Focuses on admission into AIIMS BSc Nursing programmes across multiple AIIMS institutions in India.
• Best suited for students targeting high-quality clinical training and government hospital exposure.
• Provides a strong foundation for careers in advanced nursing, ICU care and healthcare services in premier hospitals.

July 2026

10. AIIMS Paramedical 2026

A premium exam for radiology, MLT, OT technology, optometry and hospital sciences.

• Exam Date: 4 July 2026
• Conducting Body: AIIMS New Delhi
• Mode: CBT

Key Highlights:

• Offers entry into radiology, medical lab technology, optometry and other paramedical courses at AIIMS institutes.
• Ideal for students who want to work in hospital diagnostics and medical technology departments.
• Provides hands-on exposure to advanced medical equipment and clinical laboratory systems.

11. PGIMER BSc Nursing 2026

A strong institute-level nursing entrance option after 12th.

• Exam Timeline: July 2026
• Conducting Body: PGIMER Chandigarh
• Mode: CBT

Key Highlights:

• Provides admission into nursing and allied health science programmes at PGIMER Chandigarh.
• Best suited for students aiming for research-oriented healthcare education and clinical excellence.
• Strong option for careers in specialised hospital care and advanced medical training environments.

August 2026

12. CUET UG (Biomedical & Life Sciences)

Students interested in biotechnology, biomedical science, microbiology and healthcare life sciences can use CUET UG scores.

• Exam Timeline: August counselling-linked cycle
• Conducting Body: NTA
• Mode: CBT

Key Highlights:

• Used for admission into biotechnology, microbiology, biomedical science and life science courses in central universities.
• Ideal for students targeting research-based medical and non-clinical healthcare careers.
• Provides access to multiple top central universities through a single entrance exam score.

October 2026

13. Private University Allied Health Entrance Exams

In October, many private universities reopen or conduct late admission entrance tests for healthcare courses including physiotherapy, biotechnology, medical lab technology and hospital administration.

• Timeline: October 2026
• Mode: University-based CBT / Offline tests
• Conducting Bodies: Private Medical & Health Science Universities

Key Highlights

• Offers admission into BSc Nursing, BPT, BMLT, Biotechnology and allied health sciences.
• Designed for students who missed earlier national or state-level exams.
• Strong option for private healthcare education pathways in India.

Upcoming Medical Entrance Exams in 2026

These medical entrance exams in India 2026 offer Class 12 PCB students multiple pathways beyond MBBS, including nursing, biotechnology, diagnostics, physiotherapy, paramedical sciences and allied healthcare. The smartest approach is to shortlist exams based on your preferred career field, keep track of exam dates and application deadlines and begin focused preparation early.

With board results around the corner, this complete month-wise roadmap can help students confidently decide what to do next after 12th in the medical stream