Engineering Admissions 2026: 10 Major Entrance Exams Beyond JEE

Opportunities for Seeking Admission in Nearly 99,000 Seats

The year 2026 will be crucial for students preparing to pursue a career in engineering. After completing 12th Science, the JEE Main exam is the primary exam for admission to B.Tech. programs. Admission to prestigious institutes like NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs is based on JEE Main scores.

Besides JEE, there are several other major engineering entrance exams, offering admission to over 99,000 seats. These exams enable students to gain admission to renowned private and state-level engineering colleges across the country.

Here, we provide detailed information on the major engineering exams, their application process, exam pattern, and seat availability, in addition to JEE.

BITSAT 2026: Opportunity to get admission in BITS Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad

BITS Institute of Technology has opened the application process for BITSAT 2026. This exam provides admission to B.Tech courses at BITS Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad campuses.

Application Deadline: March 16

Exam Date: April 2026
Total Seats: Approximately 4,020

Exam Pattern:

BITSAT is conducted online. A total of 130 multiple-choice questions are asked.

Physics: 30 questions
Chemistry: 30 questions
Math/Biology: 40 questions
Logical Reasoning: 20 questions
English: 10 questions

VITEEE 2026: Four campuses, approximately 10,000 B.Tech seats

The VIT Engineering Entrance Exam (VITEEE) is a computer-based test. Its score provides admission to VIT’s Vellore, Chennai, Bhopal, and Amravati campuses.

Application deadline: March 31
Exam dates: April 28 to May 3
Total seats: approximately 10,000

SRMJEEE 2026: Exam to be held in three phases

SRMJEEE is conducted for admission to B.Tech courses at SRM Institute of Science and Technology. This exam is conducted in three phases.

Phase 1 Application Deadline: April 16
Phase 1 Exam: April 23 to 28
Total Seats: Approximately 12,071

Exam Pattern:

The exam is conducted online. A total of 130 questions are asked, with a time limit of two and a half hours. One mark is awarded for each correct answer.

MHT-CET 2026: Admission to Colleges in Maharashtra

The MHT-CET exam is conducted for admission to government and private engineering colleges in Maharashtra.

Application Process: Late December or early January
All India Quota Seats: Approximately 18,600

Exam Pattern:

The exam consists of a total of 150 questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Math. There are approximately 120 government engineering colleges in Maharashtra.

State-Level Engineering Entrance Exams

In addition to the JEE and private university exams, many states conduct their own engineering entrance tests. These give preference to local students, but typically, 15 percent of seats are reserved for students from other states under the All India Quota.

Major State-Level Engineering Exams

COMEDK (Karnataka):

Applications: January–February
Seats: Approximately 26,000

WBJEE (West Bengal):

Applications: December–January
Seats: Approximately 40,000

KEAM (Kerala):

Applications: February–March
Seats: Approximately 35,000

CGPET (Chhattisgarh):

Seats: Approximately 3,000

MET (Manipal):

Seats: Approximately 2,590

KIITEE (Odisha):

Applications: Until April 8
Seats: Approximately 16,006

Important Note

The number of seats mentioned here is tentative. The official seat matrix for 2026 has yet to be released. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official websites of their respective institutions for updates.

If you don’t achieve your desired rank in JEE Main, there’s no need to despair. BITSAT, VITEEE, SRMJEEE, MHT-CET, and other state-level exams also offer a golden opportunity to gain admission to the best engineering colleges in the country. With timely application, understanding the exam pattern, and strategic preparation, your dream of engineering admission in 2026 can be realized.

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Aabshar Hassan Quazi

Aabshar H. Quazi is a seasoned education writer associated with ALLEN Career Institute, where he crafts insightful blogs on competitive exam trends, student journeys, and academic guidance. With a background in journalism, Aabshar has worked as Principal Correspondent for Hindustan Times, honing his skills in storytelling, analysis, and impactful reporting. His writing blends credibility with clarity, making complex topics accessible for students and parents alike.