NPAT 2026: Merit List Expected in June, Cutoff, Exam Pattern and Counselling

The NMIMS Entrance Test, better known as NPAT, is the university-level online entrance exam conducted by SVKM’s NMIMS (Deemed-to-be University) for admission to its undergraduate management, commerce, economics and liberal arts programs. NPAT 2026 was held in two phases between 10th February and 31st May 2026 across seven NMIMS campuses. The registration window closed on 26th May 2026, the exam window has now ended, and the Phase 2 merit list is expected in the first week of June 2026.

• Phase 2 Merit List: The NPAT 2026 Phase 2 merit list is expected in the first week of June 2026. For context, the Phase 1 merit list was already declared on 16th April 2026, so you can expect a similar program-wise rollout.
• Counselling Call Letters: NMIMS will send Phase 2 counselling and admission call letters in June 2026, right after the merit list. Each program publishes its own list, so dates may differ by a few days.
• Admission Fee Payment: Once you are shortlisted, you must confirm your seat by paying the admission fee within the deadline given in your call letter. NPAT admission is purely merit-based, with no Group Discussion or Personal Interview round.
• Best Score Locks In: Your best score out of three attempts is used for the merit list. So if you took the main attempt plus two retakes, the highest score is already considered for the June list.

What is NPAT 2026?

NPAT stands for NMIMS Programs After Twelfth. It is the official entrance test that SVKM’s NMIMS (Deemed-to-be University) uses to shortlist students for its undergraduate and integrated degree programs. The exam is taken by students who have finished or are appearing for Class 12 and want to join NMIMS for courses like BBA, B.Com, B.Sc. (Finance) and BA (Liberal Arts).

NMIMS is one of India’s top private universities for management and commerce education, and NPAT is the main gateway to its undergraduate business programs. The exam is entirely online (computer-based) and is used to select candidates across seven NMIMS campuses in India.

One thing that makes NPAT different from most entrance exams is its long testing window and its retake system. Instead of a single exam day, NPAT 2026 ran from 10th February to 31st May 2026, and you could pick your own slot inside that window. You can also take one main attempt and two retakes, and NMIMS uses your highest score out of the three for admission. This makes it one of India’s most flexible undergraduate entrance exams.

NPAT 2026 was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 ran from February to March 2026, and Phase 2 ran from April to the end of May 2026. You could register for either phase based on your readiness. NMIMS also accepts SAT or ACT scores as an alternative qualification for some programs, mainly for international applicants.

NPAT 2026 Exam Window: Current Status

The NPAT 2026 exam window is now over. The test ran in two phases between 10th February and 31st May 2026, and the last exam slots closed on 31st May 2026. If you appeared for the exam, the next thing to wait for is the Phase 2 merit list.

The Phase 2 merit list is expected in the first week of June 2026. NMIMS has already declared the Phase 1 merit list on 16th April 2026, so candidates who took the exam in the later window are now waiting for their result. Counselling call letters will follow soon after each program’s list is published.

The Phase 2 NPAT 2026 merit list has not been released yet. It is expected in the first week of June 2026. Keep checking your NMIMS login on npat.nmims.edu for your program-wise result.

Here is where the NPAT 2026 cycle stands right now:

• Registration: Closed on 26th May 2026.
• Slot Booking: Closed on 29th May 2026.
• Exam Window: Closed on 31st May 2026.
• Phase 2 Merit List: Expected in the first week of June 2026.
• Phase 2 Counselling: Begins after the merit list, expected in June 2026.

NPAT 2026 Important Dates

The NPAT 2026 important dates cover the full cycle from registration to the merit list. The biggest date left now is the Phase 2 merit list, expected in the first week of June 2026. The table below lists the upcoming events first, followed by the dates that are already over.

Source: npat.nmims.edu

NPAT 2026 registration and the exam window are both closed. No new applications will be accepted for this cycle.

NPAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

You should check the NPAT 2026 eligibility criteria carefully, as the minimum marks and subject rules change a little by program and campus. The basic education and age rules are simple and open to most Class 12 students.

Academic Qualification

• You must have passed or be appearing for Class 12 (10+2) from a recognized board like CBSE, ICSE, IB or any State Board.
• Students appearing for their Class 12 board exams in 2026 can also apply. You just need to clear the exam before admission.
• Candidates who passed through the open or distance mode (such as NIOS) are also eligible.
• Students with an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma can apply too.

Minimum Marks and Subject Rules

Age Limit

• You must not be more than 25 years of age at the time of admission.
• NMIMS does not fix any strict minimum age for NPAT 2026.

Note: Candidates who pass Class 12 in 2026 must submit their final marksheet at the time of admission. If you do not meet the eligibility rules, your admission can be cancelled even after the merit list selection. So you should read the program-specific rules in the official admission handbook.

NPAT 2026 Application Process and Fees

The NPAT 2026 application process was fully online at npat.nmims.edu. The registration window opened on 28th January 2026 and closed on 26th May 2026. The form was a multi-step process, and you had to complete each step carefully to avoid rejection.

NPAT 2026 registration is now closed. The last date to apply was 26th May 2026, and no new applications are being accepted.

How to Apply for NPAT (Steps)

1. Create an account: Sign up on npat.nmims.edu with your email and mobile number to create a login.
2. Fill the form: Enter your personal details, Class 12 details and the programs you want to apply for.
3. Select programs: You can apply to a maximum of five programs in one application.
4. Upload documents: Upload your photo, signature and academic documents in the correct size.
5. Pay the fee: Pay the application fee online using net banking, credit card or debit card.
6. Book your slot: After payment, log in to the dashboard and book your exam slot, date and city.

NPAT 2026 Application Fee

The NPAT application fee depends on how many programs you choose. The fee should be paid online and is non-refundable.

So you pay INR 2,000 for the first program and INR 1,000 more for each additional program. The same fee structure applies for retakes, where each extra attempt is charged again based on your program selection. Once you submit the form and pay, the fee cannot be refunded and the registration cannot be cancelled.

NPAT 2026 Syllabus: Section-wise Topics

The NPAT 2026 syllabus is built around three skill areas. It tests your English, your maths and your reasoning. You do not need deep subject knowledge like Physics or Accounts. The focus is on aptitude at the Class 10 to 12 level.

Verbal Reasoning (English)

This section checks your command over the English language. Common topics include:

• Reading comprehension passages
• Error recognition and sentence correction
• Vocabulary, synonyms and antonyms
• Fill in the blanks and sentence completion
• Para jumbles and contextual usage

Quantitative Reasoning (Maths)

This section tests your numerical ability and basic maths. Common topics include:

• Number systems and arithmetic
• Percentage, profit and loss, ratio and proportion, averages
• Time, speed and distance and time and work
• Algebra, equations and inequalities
• Data interpretation through tables and graphs
• Data sufficiency

Logical Reasoning

This section checks how well you read patterns and solve puzzles. Common topics include:

• Series, coding-decoding and analogies
• Blood relations and direction sense
• Seating arrangement and puzzles
• Syllogisms and logical deductions
• Venn diagrams and critical reasoning

The difficulty level of NPAT is generally easy to moderate. Since each section carries equal weight at 40 marks, you should prepare all three areas evenly. Many students find the verbal section the most scoring, so you can use it to build a strong early lead.

NPAT 2026 Slot Booking and Retakes

NPAT 2026 used a flexible slot booking system. After registration, you could book your own exam date and time inside the testing window. Slot booking closed on 29th May 2026, just before the last exam slots on 31st May.

The most useful feature of NPAT is the retake option. Here is how it worked:

• Main Attempt: Your first booked slot was the main attempt.
• Two Retakes: You could take the exam two more times in the same cycle.
• Best Score: NMIMS considers only the highest score out of your three attempts for the merit list.
• Retake Fee: Each retake needed a fresh fee equal to your program-school application fee.
• No Rescheduling: Once a slot was booked, it could not be rescheduled.

This system means a bad day in one slot does not end your chances. Many students treat the first attempt as a real test and use the retakes to push their score higher in their weak section.

NMIMS Campuses and Programs Accepting NPAT Score

The NPAT score is accepted only by SVKM’s NMIMS campuses. No other university uses NPAT scores for admission. NMIMS has seven campuses, and they offer a wide range of undergraduate management and commerce programs.

Campuses Accepting NPAT 2026

• Mumbai
• Bengaluru
• Navi Mumbai
• Hyderabad
• Indore
• Chandigarh
• Ahmedabad

Programs Offered Through NPAT 2026

You can apply to a maximum of five programs in one application. The main programs offered through NPAT are listed below.

Source: npat.nmims.edu

The programs cover commerce, economics, international business, branding and advertising, liberal arts and business management. The NMIMS Mumbai campus is the most sought-after due to its reputation and placement record, while the Bengaluru and Navi Mumbai campuses are strong alternatives with slightly lower cutoffs. For reference, the BBA annual fee is around INR 4,00,000 at Mumbai and INR 3,00,000 at Bengaluru, while B.Com is around INR 2,80,000 at Mumbai.

NPAT 2026 Preparation Tips

NPAT preparation is mostly about aptitude, speed and accuracy. The exam is moderate in difficulty, but the competition is high. Since there is no negative marking, the smart move is to attempt every question. Here are practical tips that work for the NMIMS Entrance Test.

Section-wise Strategy

Verbal Reasoning:

• Read English newspapers like The Hindu or The Indian Express daily to improve reading speed and comprehension.
• Use Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis for vocabulary.
• Review grammar basics like tenses and subject-verb agreement from any Class 12 grammar book.

Quantitative Reasoning:

• Start with NCERT Maths for Class 10 and 12, since most topics come from these books.
• Practice arithmetic topics like percentage, profit and loss, and time and work daily.
• Use RS Aggarwal’s Quantitative Aptitude for extra practice.

Logical Reasoning:

• Practice Venn diagrams, analogies and coding-decoding problems daily.
• RS Aggarwal’s Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning is a good book for this section.
• Improve your speed on seating arrangement and puzzle questions.

General Tips for NPAT 2026

• Take mock tests: Attempt 10–15 full-length mocks before your exam. NMIMS gives official sample papers on the NPAT website.
• Analyse your mocks: After each mock, find your weak topics and give them more time.
• Manage time: Practice 120 questions in 100 minutes, which is about 50 seconds per question.
• Use retakes wisely: Treat the first attempt as a learning step and improve your score in the retakes.
• Best score counts: Since NMIMS takes your best score, a weak first attempt is not the end. Just prepare better for the retake.