Quick Summary: The top 3 engineering exams for 2026 are JEE Main, JEE Advanced, and BITSAT. JEE Main is to be conducted January 21 to30 and April 1 to10, and it is open to Class 12 passed or appearing students having Physics and Maths. Only the top 2.5 lakh JEE Main rankers are eligible to take (take with a grain of salt idiom synonym) JEE Advanced in May 2026. BITSAT in May and June needs 75% in PCM. The blog also covers each exam’s registration months, difficulty levels, timelines, and simple preparation tips using syllabus checks, basics, and mock tests.
Top 3 engineering exams to be taken in 2026: In India, lakhs of students choose the engineering stream every year, and we all know how important this field is for them. But the real challenge starts when it comes to picking the right entrance exam for engineering, because these exams help students reach good colleges. Every year, nearly 30 engineering entrance exams are conducted for BTech courses across the country, and the best part is that students can appear for more than one test to increase their chances. With the admission season getting closer, students who wish to study engineering can check the list of three most popular engineering entrance exams that they should consider this year. You can read the details below.
Rise of Engineering Entrance Exams in India
The rise in Engineering Entrance Exams in India for BTech seats is happening mainly because of new specialisations, better digital learning tools, and the growing need for fields like artificial intelligence and data science. Due to these changes, students want to know which are the most trending BTech entrance exams that must be taken in 2026, so they can plan their preparation on time.
Read More:
- List of Top 10 Engineering Entrance Exams in India 2026
- List of Top IIT Colleges in India Based on NIRF Ranking 2025
Top 3 Engineering Exams to be taken in year 2025-26
Students can look at the Top 3 Engineering Entrance Exams You Should Take in 2026, which include the engineering entrance exams for this year. These are counted among the top engineering entrance exams, and every engineering aspirant should keep them in mind while applying.
| Top Engineering Exams in India | Brief overview | Exam Timeline |
| JEE Mains | Conducted by National Testing Agency, entrance test offers admissions to NITs, IIITs, etc. | It is mainly conducted in two sessions. JEE Mains exam dates have been announced (session 1 – Jan 21 to 30) and (session 2- April 2 to 9) |
| JEE Advanced | Conducted by IITs on rotational basis, offer admissions into IITs | May 2026 |
| BITSAT | Conducted by Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, to offer admission to BTech programmes to its campuses- Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad | Exam is conducted annually in two sessions. Session 1 (May third week) and Session 2 (June third week) |
Top 3 Engineering Exams in 2025-26: Difficulty Level Comparison Analysis
| Engineering Entrance Exams in India | Difficulty level | Syllabus |
| JEE Main | Moderately High | CBSE class 11th and 12th |
| JEE Advanced | Very High | JEE Mains + Advanced topics |
| BITSAT | Moderate | CBSE topics |
Check Out: Top Government Engineering Colleges In India As Per NIRF Ranking 2025
Top BTech Entrance Exams in India 2025-26: Admission Schedule
JEE Mains: When it comes to engineering entrance exams in India, the JEE Mains is one of the most common choices for students. This is one of the top engineering entrance exams, and the NTA conducts it twice every year first in January and then in April. The dates for both sessions have already been announced.
JEE Mains
- Registrations: October/November (NTA JEE Mains 2026 registrations open now)
- Exam Dates: Session 1 – third week of January, Session 2 – third week of May
JEE Advanced. It is held once a year by seven IITs, and the Joint Admission Board (JAB) looks after the process. It is a major name in the entrance examination for engineering. Students should know that JEE Main is needed to qualify for JEE Advanced. Only the top 2.5 lakh rank holders can appear for the JEE Advanced exam 2026.
JEE Advanced
- Registrations: April, after JEE Main Session 2 results
- Exam Date: May 2026
BITSAT: It is also a well-known option. This is a computer-based exam conducted by BITS for admissions to UG and PG courses at their Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad campuses. BITSAT is held in two separate sessions every year..
BITSAT
- Registrations: Third week of January
- Exam Dates: May and June 2026
Check Out: List of IIITs in India 2025 and List of Top NIT Colleges in India
Top BTech Entrance Exams in India 2026: Eligibility Criteria
Here is a quick and simple guide to the eligibility rules for some of the top engineering entrance exams that students usually take for BTech admissions in India.
JEE Main Exam Eligibility
- Educational Qualification: Any student who has passed Class 12 or is currently in Class 12 from a recognised board can apply.
- Subjects: Physics and Mathematics must be there. For Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), Chemistry is needed, and for Paper 2, students can choose any vocational subject.
- Age Limit: There is no age bar for JEE Main.
- Marks: No minimum marks are needed to sit for the exam. But students must have at least 75% in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics to get admission into NITs, IIITs and GFTIs.
JEE Advanced Exam Eligibility
- Educational Qualification: Students should have appeared for Class 12 or an equivalent exam for the first time (race against time phrase meaning) in 2024 or 2025 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
- Performance in JEE Main: Only the top 2,50,000 qualified candidates can sit for JEE Advanced, which is one of the top engineering entrance exams in the country.
- Age Limit: General category students must be born on or after 1 October 2000. SC, ST and PwD students get a relaxation of 5 years.
- Previous IIT Admission: Students who have never been admitted to any IIT can appear for this exam.
BITSAT Exam Eligibility
- Educational Qualification: Students must have passed Class 12 from a recognised board to apply for BITSAT, which is also among the engineering entrance exams in India for BTech admissions.
- Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and English are mandatory for this exam.
- Marks: Students need at least 75% total in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and at least 60% individually in each of these subjects.
- Age Limit: There is no age limit for BITSAT.
- Attempt: Students who passed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025 can appear for BITSAT, counted among the most trending BTech entrance exams that must be taken in 2026.
Check Out: JEE Main 2026 Preparation Tips for Class 12th Students
How to Prepare for Top Engineering Entrance Exams in India
To clear the top engineering entrance exams, students need a smart study plan because the competition is tough. If you want to appear for an entrance exam for engineering after Class 12, you can follow these simple points:
- Understand the exam pattern: For any engineering entrance exams, always check the paper format first. Many times the pattern changes because more students apply each year. When the information brochure comes out, read the exam pattern properly.
- Check the syllabus: After knowing the pattern, look at the full syllabus. Since the entrance examination for engineering is based on Class 11 and 12 chapters, the syllabus becomes big. Students should see what is new in the syllabus so they can plan their study timetable while preparing for engineering exams in India for BTech admissions.
- Focus on basics: When the syllabus and the pattern are sorted out, begin to prepare. The emphasis of such exams as JEE Main and Advanced is more on concepts. In such a way, if you want to attend a good BTech college, then it is best to try to maintain your basics as much as possible, at an early age.
- Practice mock tests and old papers: as it is always emphasized by experts and toppers, more and more mock tests should be done by students. Solving previous papers also helps a lot. It improves accuracy and teaches time management, which is important for the most trending BTech entrance exams that must be taken in 2026.
- Give yourself some break time: Only studying cannot give top results. With revision, keep some time for simple activities like reading, meditation, or sports. It helps your mind stay relaxed.
So, if you want admission in top BTech colleges, this is the right time to start preparing and set your goals for the Top Engineering Entrance Exams in India.
FAQs on Top 3 Engineering Exams Students Must Know in 2026
Q: What are the dates for the JEE Main Exam 2026?
The JEE Main 2026 test will consist of two phases. The first section would be between January 21-30, 2026, and the second one would be between April 1-10, 2026. These dates matter for students planning for engineering entrance exams and the entrance exam for engineering next year.
Q: When is the BITSAT Exam 2026 scheduled?
The 2026 exam of BITSAT will also be conducted in two parts. The former section will take place between May 26 and May 30, 2026, and the latter will occur between June 22 and June 26, 2026. The admit card for the first part will be out on May 23, 2026, and the admit card for the second part will be released in June 2026. Many students preparing for top engineering entrance exams wait for these dates.
Q: How many months do students need to prepare for the JEE Mains exam?
Six months is usually enough to prepare for JEE Mains if you follow a clear plan, as many students start focused study after finishing work in classes 11 and 12. If someone begins late, even 2 to 4 months of serious revision and practice can help, especially for students who already covered the class 11 and 12 course. This is common for those preparing for Top Engineering Entrance Exams in India.
Q: What can I do to improve my time management for BITSAT?
A plan to enhance your BITSAT time spend would include practising on mock tests and devising a simple exam strategy such as answering easy questions initially, user review option, and the sectional allocation of time. Outside the test, follow a study routine with breaks, set small goals, and keep practising to increase speed and accuracy for this top engineering entrance exam.
Q: How is the cutoff for BITSAT decided?
The BITSAT cutoff is set after looking at many points, such as the difficulty level of the exam, the number of students who took it, the seats available, last year’s cutoffs, and how students performed overall. Popular branches like Computer Science often have higher cutoffs because more students choose them. The cutoff also changes by campus and course, which is common in Engineering Entrance Exams in India.
Q: Can one month be enough for JEE Main preparation?
One month is not enough for JEE Main preparation if you are starting fresh because the syllabus is large. However, when you are already familiar with the subjects, one month could be spent on revision, paying attention to the key chapters, the weak areas, and solving past papers and mock-tests. This helps students preparing for the list of three most popular engineering entrance exams.
Q: What is the way to clear JEE Mains on the first try?
In order to get through JEE Mains in the first attempt, you should make a basic study plan, go through NCERT topics, and review the high-weightage chapters that came in previous papers. Should do old papers and practice on tests frequently to enhance speed and precision. Review your errors following each test. This approach works for students targeting the Top 3 Engineering Exams to be taken in year 2025-26.
Q: How should students prepare for JEE Main while in Class 11 and 12?
To study JEE Main in Class 11 and 12, make a consistent study schedule, develop good ideas in Physics, Chemistry and Maths and do mock tests and past papers frequently. Be consistent, make good use of time and write brief notes to be revised later. This helps students aiming for the Top 3 Engineering Entrance Exams You Should Take in 2026.
