Top Entrance Exams After 12th in India 2026- Complete Stream-Wise List & Details

The countdown to your dream college starts now.

So, have you decided what’s next after class 12?

It’s the question that every student faces once the board exams are over. But the answer is clearing an entrance exam, as every top campus opens its door through this gateway.

Every year, millions of students in India compete across hundreds of exams to secure their seats in top colleges. The recent data highlight the same fact-

• NEET-UG 2024- 24 lakh students appeared
• JEE Main 2024- 11 lakh appeared
• CLAT 2024- 57,000 appeared

If you are unaware or unsure which exam suits your stream or goals, this guide is for you. Here you will find the details about the top entrance exams after 12th that help you make your first step towards your career.

Why are Entrance Exams Held?

Entrance exams after 12th are not just tests- they are gateways to your dream college. These exams ensure that students get equal opportunities to secure places based on merit, preparation as well as aptitude.

These exams serve various purposes-

• Fair Selection- They offer a fair and unbiased way of selecting the most qualified candidates based on merit.
• Quality Assurance- These tests help to uphold quality in educational and professional services by establishing minimum aspirational standards.
• Talent Identification- They recognise talented students and offer an opportunity for them to reach high achievement.
• Limited Number of Seats- A competitive admissions process is necessary due to limited seats of colleges to select the most able and capable individuals.

Detailed Stream-Wise Breakdown of Top Entrance Exams 2026

1. Entrance Exams After 12th for Engineering

Engineering is one of the most popular career choices among students for many reasons. If your interest lies in this sector, here are some entrance exams for you that help you build a career in this field.

National-Level Exams

State-Level Exams

• MHT-CET (Maharashtra)- For B.Tech./B.Pharm in state colleges
• KCET (Karnataka)- Conducted by KEA for Engineering and Agriculture
• WBJEE (West Bengal)- For state-level technical universities

Private/University-Level Exams

• VITEEE (VIT University)- B.Tech. in Vellore, Chennai, Bhopal & Amaravati campuses
• SRMJEEE (SRM Institute of Science & Technology)- B.Tech. programmes
• LPUNEST (Lovely Professional University)- for engineering and scholarship eligibility

Apart from that, there are other notable entrance exams like Amity JEE, KIITEE and CUET for Science courses.

2. Medical Competitive Entrance Exams After 12th Science

If you want to explore healthcare, medicine or life sciences, there are several entrance exams that provide you with a way.

3. Entrance Exams After 12th Commerce for Management Degree

Business and management programmes are the preferred choice for commerce students. If you want to make a career in management, marketing or finance, these are some entrance exams that you should know-

4. Best Law Entrance Exams After 12th for Students

If your dream is to become a lawyer, you have to prepare for the law entrance exam to find the ideal law college. Below are some top law entrance exams that lead to top NLUs and private law schools.

Exams for Government Jobs After 12th

Many students have a dream of securing a government job after class 12th. There are many competitive exams available that provide career opportunities across sectors- banking, railway, defence and administration.

Below are some popular government exams-

Important Entrance Exams to Study Abroad

If your goal is to study abroad after the 12th standard, below are some important entrance exams that you need to know about.

• International English Language Testing System
• Graduate Record Examinations
• Test of English as a Foreign Language
• Graduate Management Admission Test
• Law School Admission Test
• Medical College Admission Test

How to Choose the Right Entrance Exams After 12th Class?

There are endless options available that make it difficult to choose. Here are some crucial aspects that you should consider before making your choice.

• Establish your career goal- Engineering, Law, Design, Medicine or Management
• Evaluate eligibility and subjects- Does the exam align with your current stream and skills?
• Factor in the level of competition- National exams will be more competitive, but there are a lot more opportunities
• Reflect on the exam costs & locations- Be practical about your costs and travel
• Ensure the exam aligns with your preferred college/state- Each exam can lead you to different colleges/regions

Tips for Preparing for Entrance Exams After 12th Class

We all know that entrance exams after 12th class are competitive. That’s why it's important to prepare carefully for exams.

Here are some things you can do to gain success-

• Get Started Early- Start in Class 11 so it is not overwhelming later
• Master Concepts- Focus on understanding the topics deeply instead of just remembering everything
• Create a Timeline- Divide studying into digestible sections
• Do Past Year Papers- Understand the trends in terms of the questions and difficulty
• Do Practice Exams Regularly- Get in the rhythm of leading up to the test conditions to improve timing
• Track Progress- Identify your weaknesses to improve them

Explore Future-Ready Undergraduate Programmes at BML Munjal University

Once you clear your entrance exams after 12th class, choosing the right university is the next big thing. BML Munjal University is one of India’s top universities for undergraduate education. The university focuses on experiential and interdisciplinary education supported by industry partnerships as well as global collaborations. The UG programmes are designed to prepare students for both professional success and social impact.

Here are some popular UG courses offered by BML Munjal University-

• B.Tech. in Computer Science, Electronics & Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
• BBA (Hons) & Integrated BBA-MBA
• B.Com (Hons)
• BA (Hons) Liberal Arts
• BA LLB (Hons) & BBA LLB (Hons)

Why is BML Munjal University a preferred choice for students?

• Hero Group legacy
• 45% experiential learning
• Holistic development
• Research and consultancy projects
• Propel incubator and startup support
• 50+ industry and academic partnerships
• Faculty with international experience
• Global immersion programmes

BMU helps students turn their post-12th entrance success into meaningful careers by equipping them with skills, ethics as well as confidence for a fast-evolving world.

Conclusion

Selecting the appropriate entrance exam after completing your 12th standard will determine your complete career path. If your goal is to join a premier institution in India, serve the country or travel abroad to study, then your preparation is going to start today.

Firstly, carefully review the list of entrance exams after 12th class, listing all the important exam dates and start planning how you will begin your studies. If you are still unsure, you can speak to a career counsellor or visit the official examination website for updates.