India Education Headlines: JEE Main Final Day, CUET Closes, UGC Protests

Jan 28, 2026

JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Concludes Today: Final Exam Details and Key Dates

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is conducting the final examinations of JEE Main 2026 Session 1 on January 28 and January 29, 2026. Today, January 28, candidates appearing for Paper 1 (BE/BTech) will sit for exams in two shifts beginning at 9:00 AM. Tomorrow, January 29, 2026, candidates for BArch and BPlanning papers will take their examinations.

For candidates appearing on January 28, 2026, reporting time at examination centers is 7:00 AM, with gates closing at 8:30 AM sharp. The first shift runs from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon, while the second shift operates from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The exam follows Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode with papers consisting of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics with both multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and numerical problems featuring negative marking.

NTA has advised candidates to arrive early as the agency has tightened verification measures at examination centers. The National Testing Agency issued an official advisory for January 28-29 examinations requesting candidates to factor in extra time before entry to ensure smooth document verification and entry procedures.

Answer Keys and Results Timeline

The official answer key for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 is expected to be released in the first week of February 2026. The final JEE Main 2026 Session 1 result will be declared by February 12, 2026, available at jeemain.nta.nic.in. Candidates should note that the January session result will not include All India Rank (AIR) and cutoff information; these details will be announced along with the April session results.

Session 2 Registration Opening Soon

Following the conclusion of Session 1 exams on January 29, the NTA is expected to announce details for JEE Main 2026 Session 2. Registration for the April session is anticipated to commence on January 31, 2026, or in the last week of January. The Session 2 examinations are scheduled from April 2 to April 9, 2026.

Current data shows that over 10 lakh candidates have appeared for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 so far, accounting for more than 96% attendance rate. Analysis from exams held January 21-24 indicates that January 23 Shift 2 was rated as the toughest, while January 22 Shift 1 was the easiest among the sessions conducted so far.

CUET 2026 Registration Closing TODAY: Last Hours to Apply

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) 2026 registration window closes TODAY, January 30, 2026, at 11:50 PM. This is the final deadline for aspiring undergraduate candidates seeking admission to central universities through CUET scores.

Candidates can submit their application forms at the official portal cuet.nta.nic.in until the closing time. The last date for successful fee payment is January 31, 2026 (11:50 PM). Once registration closes, the application correction window will open from February 2 to February 4, 2026, allowing registered candidates to make amendments to their details.

CUET 2026 Exam Schedule and Important Dates

The CUET 2026 examinations are scheduled from May 11 to May 31, 2026, across multiple test centers. Results are expected to be announced in July 2026 (tentative). Candidates should note that CUET scores are accepted by over 90 central universities across India for undergraduate admissions, making this exam critical for central university aspirations.

When filling the CUET application form, candidates must carefully adhere to the subject mapping criteria of their preferred university and course to avoid any cancellations or complications in the admission process.

UGC Equity Regulations 2026 Spark Nationwide Protests: What Students Need to Know

The University Grants Commission's newly notified Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, have triggered massive nationwide protests across Indian campuses and university centres, with demonstrations occurring at UGC headquarters in Delhi and across major cities.

What Are the UGC Equity Regulations?

The regulations, officially notified on January 13, 2026, were designed to curb caste-based discrimination and promote inclusivity in colleges and universities. The framework mandates that all higher education institutions establish Equal Opportunity Centres, Equity Committees, grievance redressal mechanisms, and 24/7 helplines to address complaints from students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).

These regulations replace the 2012 anti-discrimination guidelines and were formulated following a Supreme Court order on a petition seeking effective implementation of anti-caste discrimination measures. The petition was originally filed by the mothers of Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi, highlighting past cases of institutional injustice.

The Protest Movement and Opposition

Large-scale protests by General category and upper-caste students began on January 26-27, 2026, with significant demonstrations outside UGC offices in Delhi. Protesters argue that the regulations are "one-sided" and create potential for reverse discrimination, treating students from General/unreserved backgrounds as default suspects.

Key concerns raised by protesters include: (1) absence of separate grievance redressal provisions for students outside SC/ST/OBC categories; (2) risk of false complaints being used to harass General category students; (3) potential for deepening social divisions on campuses rather than promoting unity; and (4) lack of clarity on implementation mechanisms.

Government and Supreme Court Response

The Centre has assured that the regulations will not be misused and that misinformation about them is spreading on social media. Government officials have emphasised that the rules are "within the ambit of the Constitution" and were implemented "under the supervision of the Supreme Court."

However, the matter has reached the Supreme Court, with two separate petitions challenging the constitutional validity of these regulations. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Vineet Jindal argues that the regulations do not provide protection for students outside SC/ST/OBC categories and that limiting protection violates fundamental rights under Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Indian Constitution. These petitions are expected to be mentioned before Chief Justice of India Surya Kant this week for directions on listing and hearing.

CBSE and ICSE Board Exams 2026: Theory Exam Preparation Begins

CBSE Practical Exams Deadline Approaching

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) practical examinations for Classes 10 and 12 commenced on January 1, 2026, and will continue until February 14, 2026. For winter-bound schools, practical exams were already conducted from November 6 to December 6, 2025.

CBSE has mandated strict adherence to this deadline, reminding schools that the Board will not consider any extension requests. Schools must complete uploading of marks for all practical examinations, internal assessments, and project evaluations within the prescribed timeline. Each practical examination carries 20 marks per subject as per the CBSE exam pattern.

For Class 12 practical exams, CBSE appoints external examiners to conduct examinations and evaluate student work. However, for Class 10, no external examiner is appointed, and schools conduct their own practical evaluations.

Board Exam Theory Schedules

CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 board theory examinations are scheduled from February 17 to April 2026. Class 10 exams run from February 17 to April 9, 2026, while Class 12 exams conclude on April 4, 2026.

For ICSE (Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations), Class 10 (ICSE) examinations begin on February 17, 2026, and continue until March 30, 2026. Class 12 (ISC) examinations start earlier on February 12, 2026, and conclude on April 6, 2026. ICSE admit cards were released on January 27, 2026. Practical examinations for ICSE are conducted in January 2026 before theory exams commence.

Important Subject Schedules

For ICSE Class 10, key subject examination dates include: English Language (February 17), Mathematics (March 2), Physics (March 9), Chemistry (March 11), Biology (March 13), and History & Civics (March 16).

Recently, CBSE made minor changes to the 2026 datesheet for certain subjects: Class 10 papers originally scheduled for March 3, 2026, have been postponed to March 11, 2026, while the Class 12 Legal Studies paper has been rescheduled from March 3 to April 10, 2026.

NEET UG 2026: Registration Expected in February

Medical aspirants awaiting NEET registration should expect the application process to commence in February 2026 based on historical trends and official announcements. The NEET 2026 notification is expected to be released in February 2026, following which online registration will begin.

Based on previous year patterns, NEET registration is tentatively expected to open in February 2026 and continue through March 2026. The admit card will be released in April 2026, approximately one week before the examination. The NEET UG 2026 examination is expected to be held in May 2026.

The National Testing Agency will conduct the exam at approximately 552 centers in India and 14 centers abroad, similar to previous years. Over 24 lakh candidates register for NEET annually, making it one of India's most competitive medical entrance examinations.

When filling the NEET application form, candidates should keep ready their Aadhaar Card, UDID card (if applicable), and category certificate for smooth registration.

JEE Advanced 2026: Eligibility Criteria Released, IIT Roorkee Conducting

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced 2026, gateway to Indian Institutes of Technology, is scheduled for May 17, 2026 (tentative), conducted by IIT Roorkee. All eligibility criteria have been officially released, with one significant change for 2026.

Key Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for JEE Advanced 2026, candidates must qualify JEE Main 2026 and rank within the top 2,50,000 candidates across all categories based on Paper 1 (BE/BTech) performance. The category-wise distribution follows: 40.5% OPEN, 27% OBC-NCL, 15% SC, 10% GEN-EWS, and 7.5% ST.

Age limit requirements are: General category candidates must be born on or after October 1, 2001, while SC, ST, and PwD category candidates receive a 5-year relaxation (birth date on or after October 1, 1996).

Major Change: 75% Marks Requirement Removed

A significant change for 2026 is the removal of the 75% Class 12 board percentage requirement for General category and 65% for SC/ST. Candidates no longer need to be within the top 20 percentile of their respective boards. This represents a major simplification of eligibility criteria.

Candidates must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) for the first time in 2025 or 2026 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects from a recognized board or equivalent qualification.

Importantly, foreign nationals are now exempt from appearing in JEE Main and can directly apply for JEE Advanced 2026. Maximum two consecutive attempts are permitted for JEE Advanced.

JEE Advanced Registration Timeline

Registration for JEE Advanced 2026 is scheduled to open on April 6, 2026, for foreign nationals and April 23, 2026, for Indian nationals.

Other Entrance Exams: January Registration Status Update

KCET 2026

Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) registrations are ongoing, with the application window remaining open until February 17, 2026. Registration occurs online at the official KCET portal.

MHT CET 2026

Maharashtra's state engineering entrance exam (MHT CET) application window is open until February 12, 2026. Candidates from Maharashtra seeking engineering admission can register during this period.

Other Exams

BITSAT 2026 applications remain active with a late fee applicable for submissions between January 7-10. COMEDK 2026 registrations open on February 3, 2026. OJEE (Odisha Joint Entrance Exam) notifications are expected with registrations anticipated in the last week of January, continuing through March 2026. TANCET 2026 registrations are anticipated to commence in late January 2026.

IIT Madras Pravartak Launches Free AI Training for Rural School Teachers

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Education's SWAYAM Plus platform, has launched a free artificial intelligence training program for rural school teachers across India.

Course Details and Registration

The certification course, titled "AI for Educators - K12 Teachers," is designed for teachers of Classes I through XII nationwide. This 40-hour self-paced program begins on February 5, 2026, with the registration deadline set for January 31, 2026. Registration occurs at iitmpravartak.org.in/AI_Educators_K12_teachers.

The curriculum covers eight modules, including generative AI tools, prompt engineering, gamification, storytelling, AI-based lesson planning, student engagement tools like AR/VR and visualisation, AI-enabled assessment methods, subject-specific use cases, inclusive education strategies, and online teaching platforms.

Free Certification for Rural Teachers

The certification fee will be waived for the first 500 teachers from rural schools who complete the entire training program. Post-training, teachers will conduct a virtual proctored MCQ-based assessment administered by IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation. Upon successful completion, teachers receive official certification from IITM Pravartak.

Padma Awards 2026: Education Leaders Honoured

The Government of India announced the Padma Awards 2026 on January 25, recognising 131 individuals across various sectors, including several prominent education leaders.

Notable Education Awardees

Padma Vibhushan honoree P Narayanan from Kerala has been recognized for lifelong contributions to education and public thought through institution-building and policy-level engagement. Former University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairperson Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar received recognition for his pivotal role in shaping higher education policy and overseeing major reforms in Indian universities.

IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti was honored for his contributions to computer science and academic leadership. Reacting to the honor, Kamakoti stated that the award strengthened his commitment to the vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047 and credited the collective effort behind his achievements.

Other educational figures recognized include West Bengal scholar Asok Kumar Haldar (Padma Shri) for literary scholarship, Odisha's Charan Hembram for promoting indigenous literature, and multiple contributors to regional language preservation and academic excellence across India.

IIT Delhi Hosts Open House for JEE Advanced Aspirants in Kota

IIT Delhi will conduct an open house in Kota on January 31, 2026, specifically designed for JEE Advanced 2026 aspirants. The event allows students to interact directly with IIT Delhi faculty and current students, learn about the institute's academic programs, campus facilities, and placement opportunities.

Important Dates Checklist for Students

January 28, 2026 (TODAY): JEE Main Session 1 Paper 1 (BE/BTech) final exams, second shift 3:00-6:00 PM | CUET registration closes at 11:50 PM
January 29, 2026: JEE Main Session 1 BArch/BPlanning exams, two shifts (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM & 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
January 31, 2026: CUET fee payment deadline | IIT Madras AI course registration closes | IIT Delhi Kota open house for JEE Advanced aspirants
February 2-4, 2026: CUET application correction window opens
February 5, 2026: IIT Madras "AI for Educators" course commences
February 12, 2026: JEE Main Session 1 result expected
February 14, 2026: CBSE practical exams deadline
February 17, 2026: CBSE Class 10 & 12 board exams begin; ICSE Class 10 exams commence
February 12-April 6, 2026: ISC Class 12 examinations (staggered schedule)
May 11-31, 2026: CUET examinations
May 17, 2026: JEE Advanced 2026 (tentative)
May 2026: NEET UG 2026 expected