NTA will conduct the NHCMCT JEE exam on April 25, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 02:00 PM in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. Last year, the NCHMCT JEE exam was held in around 118 exam centres located in 90 cities across India. Every year, around 12,000 - 13,000 students register for the exam. The number of candidates appearing for the exam increased by 24.8% in 2025 compared to 2024.

  • In 2026, 15,000 students are expected to register for the test.
  • Last year, 11,068 candidates appeared for the NCHMCT JEE exam.
  • In 2024, 12,738 candidates registered for the exam, and 8,862 candidates appeared.

Every year, students fight for approximately 12,627 seats available in various management colleges in India. You need to score at least 760 for the general category, 600 and above for OBC and EWS, 500 and above for SC and ST Category students.

  • Top IHMs like IHM Pusa, IHM Mumbai, and IHM Bangalore have High cut-offs due to popularity and placement records, with expected marks of 600+ and ranks between 1–1000.
  • Intermediate IHMs like IHM Lucknow, IHM Gwalior, and IHM Jaipur cut-offs range from 500–600 marks and ranks between 1001–3000.

NCHMCT registration is ongoing and will be available till 25th March 2026. NTA is yet to release other dates related to the exam. Once the dates are released, we will update the details here. Till then, you can check the dates below.

Also Check:

NCHMCT JEE 2026

What is the NCHMCT Exam?

The NCHMCT JEE exam is a national-level hospitality exam conducted annually for admission to 3-year BSc Hospitality Courses. The NCHM JEE is conducted by NTA, under the Ministry of Education, Govt of India. The NCHMCT JEE scores are accepted by:

  • 21 Central Government-sponsored Institutes of Hotel Management (CIHMs)
  • 33 State Government-sponsored Institutes of Hotel Management (SIHMs)
  • 25 Private Institutes of Hotel Management
  • 1 Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) owned Institute
  • 2 IHMs run under Public-Private Partnership

There are 13 Food-craft Institutes linked with NCHMCT JEE that provide diploma courses in core operational areas around the country. You can check all the Food-Craft Institutes here on the official website.

IHMs Under NCHMCT is ranked as the Best Hospitality & Hotel Management School in India & 11 in the World by CEO World, USA for the year 2025.

What is the NCHMCT Exam

Source: Information Brochure

NCHMCT JEE 2026 Exam Key Changes

NTA released NCHMCT JEE 2026 notifications on its official website. As per the notification, NCHMCT has introduced many changes in the exam.

  • NCHMCT JEE exam pattern changed. NCHM JEE will now have only 120 questions.
  • Duration of the test reduced to 120 minutes from 3 hours.
  • The sectional weightage of the NCHM JEE exam has been reduced.
  • The NCHMCT JEE exam centre number increased to 120 NCHMCT JEE test centres located in different states of India.
  • Students can select four preferred test centres while booking their seats.

Check: NCHMCT JEE 2026 Exam Pattern Changed; Check New Structure & Duration Here

Ques: Are NCHM and NCHMCT the same?

Ans: There is no difference in these two. NCHM JEE or National Council of Hotel Management Joint Entrance examination is conducted by NTA for admission to the course of BSc Hospitality and Hotel Administration. The candidates who will qualify in NCHMCT JEE will be called for counselling and seat allocation.

Ques: Which college is top 3 for hotel management?

Ans: For top hotel management colleges, especially in India, the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Pusa (New Delhi), IHM Mumbai, and IHM Bangalore consistently rank in the top 3, alongside NCHMCT Noida.

Ques: How many seats are in NCHMCT?

Ans. There are approximately 12,000 seats available in NCHMCT JEE. Institutes of Hotel Management, private and government, have different seat matrices. To secure a seat in IHM, you need to clear NCHMCT JEE 2026 and appear for NCHM Counselling 2026.

NCHMCT JEE 2026 Exam Dates

Exam Particulars Dates
NCHMCT JEE 2026 Registration Process 26th December 2025
NCHMCT JEE 2026 Registration Ends 25th March 2026
NCHMCT JEE 2026 Correction window To Be Updated
NCHMCT JEE 2026 City Intimation Slip Release To Be Updated
NCHMCT JEE 2026 Admit Card To Be Updated
NCHMCT JEE 2026 Exam Date 25th April, 2026
NCHMCT JEE Result Date To Be Updated

Also Read: NCHMCT JEE 2026 Registration Deadline Extended Till March 25

NCHMCT JEE 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The detailed NCHMCT JEE 2026 Eligibility Criteria is as follows:

Parameter Description
Educational Qualification 10+2 with English as a compulsory subject
Upper Age Limit General, General (EWS) and OBC candidates must not be more than 25 years old as on July 01, 2026
SC, ST candidates and physically challenged candidates must not be more than 28 years old as on July 01, 2026

Ques: Is passing Class 12 with hospitality subjects mandatory for NCHMCT JEE 2026?

Ans: No, you do not need to have hospitality subjects in Class 12 to appear for NCHMCT JEE 2026. Students from any stream including Science, Commerce, and Arts streams can apply only if they meet the basic eligibility criteria.

Ques: Are Arts and Commerce students eligible for NCHMCT JEE 2026?

Ans: Yes, all students from Arts, Commerce, and Science streams are eligible for NCHMCT JEE 2026. The Class 12 stream that you have studied does not matter as long as you have passed Class 12 with English as a subject.

Ques: Can students with a compartment in Class 12 apply for NCHMCT JEE 2026?

Ans: Yes, if you have any compartmental subject in class 12, you can still apply for NCHMCT JEE 2026. However, you must clear the examination and produce proof of passing at the time of admission.

Ques: Is English compulsory for NCHMCT JEE 2026 eligibility?

Ans: Yes, English is one of the mandatory subjects in Class 12 to be eligible for NCHMCT JEE 2026. Candidates without English in their Class 12 or any other qualifying examination are not eligible.

NCHMCT JEE 2026 Application Process

The NCHMCT JEE 2026 Registration process is completely online. The registration process will end on March 15, 2026, and the correction window will open after that. The step-wise registration process is:

  • Fill out the online registration form on the official website
  • Upload all the required documents in the prescribed format
  • You must make sure to upload a recent photograph and a clear signature as well.
  • Pay the registration fee to finalise your NCHMCT JEE Application Form

Check the video by “Manoeuvre Hotel Management” which explains the NCHNCT JEE application process in detail.

NCHMCT Application Fee 2026

The NCHMCT Application fee is given below

Category Application Fee
General / OBC INR 1000
General EWS INR 700
SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender INR 450

Note: NCHMCT JEE Registration Fee is non-refundable in any circumstances. The payment for the same can be made through Net Banking, UPI, or Debit/Credit Cards.

NCHMCT JEE 2026 Application Correction Window

​The NCHMCT JEE 2026 application correction window will open once the registration process is over. This will allow registered candidates to rectify errors in their submitted application forms. ​

Details that Can Be Edited in NCHMCT JEE 2026 Application Form

During this correction period, you can modify various details, including:​

  • Personal Information: Name, father's name, date of birth, etc.
  • Contact Details: Mobile number, email address.
  • Category and Disability Status: Changes in category (e.g., General to SC/ST) and disability status.
  • Educational Qualifications: Marks, subjects, and other academic details.
  • Exam Center Preferences: Choice of examination cities.​

NCHMCT JEE 2026 Admit Card

​The NCHMCT JEE Admit Card will be released by NTA on the official NTA website: exams.nta.ac.in/NCHM.​

  • Release Date: The NCHMCT JEE admit card released date has not been declared yet. The Admit Card for all registered candidates will be released soon in PDF Format.
  • Error Rectification: In case of any discrepancies in your NCHMCT JEE Admit Card,you can contact the helpdesk between 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Details Mentioned: NCHMCT Hall Ticket contains important details such as your name, DOB, Exam Date, Time and Centre, Valid photograph, etc.

What is the NCHMCT JEE 2026 Exam Pattern and Syllabus?

The NCHMCT Exam is conducted as a CBT Exam. There are a total of 120 MCQ Questions as per the NCHMCT JEE 2026 Exam Pattern. NCHMCT JEE is divided into 5 Sections, which are:

  • English Language
  • Aptitude for the Service Sector section
  • Numerical Ability & Analytical Aptitude
  • Reasoning and Logical Deduction
  • General Knowledge & Current Affairs

Marking Scheme: Each correct answer will fetch you +4 marks. There is also a negative marking of -1 for incorrect answers. There will be no deductions for unanswered/unattempted questions.

Type of Questions (MCQ) No. of Questions
Numerical Ability and Analytical Aptitude 15
Reasoning and Logical Deduction 15
General Knowledge & Current Affairs 15
English Language 45
Aptitude for the Service Sector 30
Total 120
What is the NCHMCT JEE 2026 Exam Pattern

Source: https://nchm.gov.in/

Also Check:

NCHMCT JEE 2026 Syllabus

The important topics that are covered in all the 5 sections of NCHMCT JEE are given below. You can check the detailed NCHMCT JEE 2026 Syllabus here.

Section Important Topics
Numerical Ability & Analytical Aptitude Compound Interest, Profit & Loss, Time & Distance, Ratio & Proportion, Fractions & Decimals, Square Root, Simplification, Logarithms, Unitary Method, HCF & LCM, Data Interpretation, Basic Arithmetic
Reasoning & Logical Deduction Statement & Conclusion, Symmetry, Coding–Decoding, Number & Letter Series, Syllogism, Blood Relations, Analytical Reasoning, Linear & Complex Arrangements, Data Interpretation, Symbols & Notations, Statement Assumptions
General Knowledge & Current Affairs Prizes & Awards, World Statistics, Inventions & Discoveries, International Organizations, Sports, Disasters, Books & Authors, Currency, National & International Events, Hospitality & Tourism Updates
English Language Fill in the Blanks, Sentence/Paragraph Completion, Idioms & Phrases, Synonyms & Antonyms, Analogies, Vocabulary, Spelling Error Detection, One-Word Substitution, Reading Comprehension, Grammar & Usage
Aptitude for Service Sector Situational Judgment, Service Sector Aptitude, Customer Handling, Ethical Behavior, Hospitality Decision Making, Attitude & Personality Suitability

Ques: What are the important topics in Numerical Ability for NCHMCT JEE 2026?

Ans: The NCHMCT JEE Numerical Ability section includes topics such as Simplification, Percentage, Profit and Loss, Ratio and Proportion, Time and Work, Time, Speed, and Distance, Average, Simple and Compound Interest. You must note that the basic Class 10-level mathematics is usually sufficient for NCHMCT JEE 2026.

Ques: What are the key topics in Reasoning & Logical Deduction for NCHMCT JEE 2026?

Ans: The NCHMCT JEE Logical Reasoning section covers topics like Coding and Decoding, Series (Number and Alphabet), Blood Relations, Syllogism, Direction Sense, Analytical Reasoning and Statements and Conclusions.

Ques: Where can I find the official syllabus PDF for NCHMCT JEE 2026?

Ans: The official syllabus PDF for NCHMCT JEE 2026 will be available on the official website of the National Testing Agency (NTA) after the notification is released. Candidates should regularly check the official portal for updates and download the latest syllabus.

NCHMCT JEE 2026: Student Reviews

Most students wonder How hard is the NCHMCT JEE exam?

A Quora user Mayank Rao answered: I simply ran through all the questions and found the question paper damn easy.. To be honest English, logical reasoning and mathematics sections were solved in matter of couple of minutes ( 45 mins) to be exact. Only section which was difficult was General knowledge.

Some students who already started preparing asked : How do prepare myself for NCHMCT along with my 12th boards exam too?

A Quora user Sarim Islam answered: Normally the NCHM JEE exam is held in between the month of june-august. So, the exam will not disturb you in your board exam.

The same user also said: You can do one thing, solve one set of previous year questions of exam, in 3 hrs. Measure your performance. If you're not getting more than 50% questions right, then start your prep now.

Students also ask: Is it necessary to take coaching for NCHMCT JEE examination?

A Quora user Naman garg answered: Cracking NCHMCT JEE only requires a bit of common sense and decent quantitative skills. There are a plethora of books available for preparation, however, I used a book by arihant publications for my preparation.

Colleges Accepting NCHMCT JEE 2026 Scores

Central Government IHMs

Check: List of Top Colleges in India Accepting NCHMCT JEE

State Government IHMs

Institute Seats
CIHM Chandigarh 127
DIHM Lajpat Nagar 127
Dr. YSR NITHM Hyderabad 127
SIHM Pondicherry 127
SIHM Raipur 64
SIHM Balangir 64
SIHM Bathinda 127
SIHM Durgapur 127
SIHM Faridabad 148
SIHM Gaya 64
SIHM Hamirpur 127
SIHM Medak 64
SIHM Ranchi 127
SIHM Udaipur 64
SIHM Yamunanagar 106
SIHM Dehradun 148
SIHM Gangtok 85
SIHM Indore 127
SIHM Jabalpur 64
SIHM Jodhpur 127
SIHM Kozhikode 96
SIHM Kurukshetra 138
SIHM Panipat 127
SIHM Rohtak 169
SIHM Silvassa 106
SIHM Tiruchirapalli 96
SIHM Tirupati 64
Total 2937

Private IHMs

Institute Seats
Ambala Institute of Hotel Management 126
CT Institute, Jalandhar 63
CCHM Mohali 126
Chitkara School of Hospitality 158
Dev Bhoomi IHM Dehradun 126
Dewan VS IHM Meerut 63
FHRAI Greater Noida 105
Guru Nanak IHM Kolkata 95
Heritage Institute, Agra 189
IHM Hisar OSGU 63
IHM Meerut 189
Chandigarh University IHM 126
Shrishakti IHM Hyderabad 126
JIET IHM Jodhpur 126
Kukreja IHM Dehradun 126
Leo Academy Hyderabad 105
Munnar Catering College 126
Oriental IHM Wayanad 126
Peoples IHM Bhopal 105
Poornima IHM Jaipur 84
Preston IHM Gwalior 63
Ranjita IHM Bhubaneswar 126
RIG Institute Greater Noida 126
SRM ICT & HM Ghaziabad 63
SRM IHM Kancheepuram 126
SRM IHM Sonepat 63
St. Soldier IHM Jalandhar 53
Sunder Deep CHM Ghaziabad 126
The Lalit Suri Hospitality School Faridabad 252

PSU IHM

Institute Total Seats
Ashok Institute of Hospitality & Tourism Management, Delhi 96
Total 96

How to Prepare for NCHMCT JEE 2026?

The last minute preparation guidelines for NCHMCT JEE 2026 are given below:

  • Practice Papers: You must solve as many practice papers as possible. Practice papers will help you get an idea of the type of questions that will be asked in the NCHMCT Question Papers.
  • Mock Tests: Mock Tests will be an integral part of your NCHMCT JEE Preparation. Mock Tests will help you manage your time and see which section takes the maximum time or needs a revision.
  • Revise: Revise all the topics, make notes, and revise formulas and short tricks for numerical problems.
How to Prepare for NCHMCT JEE 2026

Which are the Best Books for NCHMCT JEE Preparation?

Some of the best books that can be used for your NCHMCT JEE 2026 Preparation are listed below along with their approximate price.

Subject Name Books with Authors Price
General Knowledge and Current Affairs Lucent’s General Knowledge by Dr. Binay Karna INR 171
Pratiyogita Darpan by Upkar Prakashan INR 94
Arihant General Knowledge 2026 by Manohar Pandey INR 143
General Knowledge of Competitive Exams by Disha Experts INR 223
Numerical Ability and Analytical Aptitude Maths 30 Days Wonder by KJS Khurana and Rajeev Markanday INR 262
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S Aggarwal INR 450
Reasoning and Logical Deduction Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation Topic-wise Solved Papers for IBPS/ SBI Bank PO/ Clerk Prelim by Disha Experts INR 277
A Modern Approach To Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S Aggarwal INR 538
English Language High School Wren And Martin English Grammar and Composition by P.C Wren INR 499
Objective English for General Competitive Examinations by Thorpe INR 470
Aptitude for the Service Sector Hotel Management: NCHMCT-JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) Guide (Popular Master Guide) by RPH Editorial Board INR 384

FAQs

Ques. What is the NCHMCT JEE exam for?

Ans. The NCHMCT JEE exam is conducted by the NTA to offer admission to Hotel Management UG courses at various IHMs. IHM Pusa, IHM Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, IHM Hyderabad, etc. are some of the top Hotel Management colleges in India that accept NCHMCT JEE scores.

Ques. Is NCHMCT JEE easy?

Ans. NCHMCT JEE difficulty level over the past few years has been reported as Easy to Moderate.

Ques. How many seats are there in IHM based on NCHMCT JEE?

Ans. There are approximately 12,000 seats available in NCHMCT JEE. Institutes of Hotel Management, private and government, have different seat matrices. To secure a seat in IHM, you need to clear NCHMCT JEE 2026 and appear for NCHM Counselling 2026. You can choose your preferred college and course through the counselling process.

Ques. What is the full form of NCHMCT JEE 2026?

Ans. National Council of Hotel Management and Catering Technology Joint Entrance Exam is the full form for NCHMCT JEE 2026. Sometimes, the exam is also referred to as NCHMCT JEE 2026.

Ques. What are the helpline numbers for NCHMCT JEE 2026?

Ans. NCHMCT JEE 2026 Helpdesk number is 08026599990 whereas the NCHMCT JEE customer care number is 1800112211. These helpline numbers will be available between 10 AM to 5 PM. You can contact them or refer to the official website for more information.