Published: January 9, 2026
NIFT 2026 Registration Deadline Extended to January 13, 2026
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has extended the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) 2026 application deadline, providing additional time for aspiring fashion designers and technologists. The final deadline for NIFT 2026 registration with a regular fee is January 13, 2026, after initially being set for January 6, 2026.
Candidates can still apply with a late fee of Rs 5,000 (in addition to the regular application fee) until January 14-16, 2026. The NIFT Entrance Examination 2026 is scheduled to be held on February 8, 2026, in computer-based test mode. Application fees are Rs 2,000 for General/OBC (Non-Creamy) and General-EWS categories, and Rs 500 for SC/ST/PWD candidates.
Interested candidates must apply online at exams.nta.nic.in/niftee before the deadline. The exam will test candidates' aptitude for programmes including B.Des (Bachelor of Design), B.F.Tech (Bachelor of Fashion Technology), M.F.Tech (Master of Fashion Technology), M.Des (Master of Design), and M.F.M (Master of Fashion Management).
CUET PG 2026 Registration Window Closing on January 14, 2026
The Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate Admissions (CUET PG 2026) registration window is set to close on January 14, 2026, at 11:50 PM. The National Testing Agency opened registrations on December 14, 2025, offering Indian students a window to apply for postgraduate programmes across central, state, deemed, and private universities.
This year, the NTA has introduced a significant enhancement to the application process. Candidates can now select up to four exam city preferences (expanded from the previous limit of two), allowing greater flexibility for test takers. Students must limit their city choices to their state of permanent or current residence.
The examination is scheduled to be conducted in March 2026 in computer-based test (CBT) mode. The application correction window will remain open from January 18 to 20, 2026, enabling candidates to make necessary changes to their submitted information after selection of exam cities.
Candidates can register online at exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg. Application fees vary by category: General candidates pay Rs 1,000, OBC candidates pay Rs 600, and PwD candidates pay Rs 600. Admit cards are expected to be released in March 2026, with varying release dates based on the exam schedule.
JNVST 2026 Admit Cards Released for Class 9 and 11 Entrance Exams
The Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) released the JNVST 2026 admit cards for Class 9 and Class 11 on January 7, 2026, ahead of the scheduled entrance examinations. These admit cards are mandatory documents for entry to examination centres and contain critical information about exam logistics and candidate details.
The Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST) is India's premier entrance examination for admission to Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas across the country. The JNVST 2026 exam for Classes 9 and 11 is scheduled for February 7, 2026.
Registered candidates can download their admit cards by visiting navodaya.gov.in and logging in with their registration number and date of birth. The admit card contains essential information, including the candidate's name, roll number, registration number, date of birth, examination date, reporting time, exam centre address, and key instructions for the test day.
The selection test will be held for a duration of two hours with three sections containing only objective-type questions. The question paper comprises 80 questions for a total of 100 marks. Candidates are advised to carefully verify all details on their hall tickets, as incorrect information may lead to disqualification at the examination centre. Any discrepancies should be reported immediately to NVS for correction.
BHU Launches 121 INI-SWAYAM Courses for January-April 2026 Session
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has unveiled an extensive academic offering with the launch of 121 credit-ready Institutes of National Importance SWAYAM courses for the January-April 2026 session. This significant initiative marks BHU's first semester as the national coordinator for the INI-SWAYAM domain under the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
BHU is offering 71 courses covering Sciences, Engineering, Management, Medicine, Education, Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, and interdisciplinary studies. These BHU-led courses will commence from January 26 and February 16, 2026. Additionally, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is providing 48 courses spanning diverse subjects from Arabic to Zoology, with a start date of January 26, 2026. Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) offers two specialised courses in Defence & Strategic Studies and Forensic Accounting, also starting January 26, 2026.
Dr Ashutosh Mohan, National Coordinator of INI-SWAYAM and Institute of Management Studies at BHU, stated: "This is a big step forward in terms of access, flexibility, and quality. BHU will make sure that the INI–SWAYAM courses are in line with the spirit of NEP 2020 by being interdisciplinary, focused on getting students skilled, and open to all motivated students."
A distinctive feature of this semester's offerings includes two internationally co-developed courses created in collaboration with the University of Leipzig, Germany. These courses focus on "Digital Marketing and Branding for Start-ups" and "Foundation of Digital Entrepreneurship," providing hands-on learning experiences in contemporary business domains.
Learners can register online at swayam.gov.in/INI until February 28, 2026. The courses are available in varying durations of four, eight, and twelve weeks. Select courses are also offered in Hindi or bilingual formats where pedagogically appropriate, ensuring accessibility for diverse learner populations. All courses include outcome-based rubrics and proctored assessments to maintain educational standards in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020.
AEEE 2026 Phase 1 Registration Deadline Set for January 15, 2026
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has announced that the Phase 1 registration deadline for AEEE 2026 is January 15, 2026. The Amrita Entrance Examination Engineering (AEEE) is a national-level entrance test for BTech. admissions at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, one of India's premier technical institutions.
Eligible candidates must complete the application form online through the official portal at aeee.amrita.edu and pay the registration fee of Rs 1,300 via online payment methods (debit card, credit card, net banking, or digital wallets). The examination is scheduled to assess candidates' aptitude in physics, chemistry, and mathematics, crucial subjects for engineering education.
NMC Withdraws MBBS Course Permission at Vaishno Devi Medical College — Students to Be Accommodated Elsewhere
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has revoked the Letter of Permission (LoP) for the MBBS course at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in Jammu and Kashmir, citing non-compliance with minimum regulatory standards. This significant decision, announced on January 6, 2026, just four months after granting approval in September 2025, has impacted 50 admitted students for the 2025-26 academic year.
The Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB), the autonomous regulatory body under NMC, concluded that the institute had failed to meet the minimum standard requirements specified in the Undergraduate Medical and Dental Regulations (UGMSR) 2023. The decision cited deficiencies in infrastructure, faculty strength, and clinical material as grounds for withdrawal.
To protect students' academic interests, all 50 students admitted during the 2025-26 counselling process will be accommodated in other recognized medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir as supernumerary seats, ensuring no admitted student loses their MBBS seat due to this withdrawal. The Union Territory's designated health and counselling authorities have been formally notified to handle the relocation implementation.
In addition to withdrawing the Letter of Permission, MARB has invoked the performance bank guarantee furnished by the college, underscoring the financial and regulatory consequences of non-compliance. The institute had applied for medical college under NMC's public notices issued on December 5 and December 19, 2024. Following the inspection and assessment process, the LoP was granted on September 8, 2025, subject to several conditions, including maintaining essential standards, allowing surprise inspections, and rectifying any deficiencies before renewal.
NMC Approves New Pathway: MBBS and BDS Colleges in Public-Private Partnership Mode
In a development aimed at expanding medical education capacity across India, the National Medical Commission has approved new regulatory pathways allowing MBBS and BDS colleges to be established in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode. This policy shift marks a significant evolution in how medical education institutions can be developed and managed in the country.
Under the new framework, admissions to these PPP medical colleges will be conducted through NEET UG from 2026 onwards, maintaining consistency with India's centralised medical admissions process. This decision is expected to increase the availability of quality medical education seats while ensuring rigorous quality standards are maintained through the established NEET examination mechanism.
Centre Announces PM Research Chair Scheme Linked to IITs and JEE Institutions
The Government of India's Ministry of Education has unveiled the PM Research Chair scheme, a strategic initiative designed to attract leading global Indian-origin scientists back to the country. The scheme aims to bring approximately 120 renowned scientists and researchers to India, focusing on strengthening the nation's research ecosystem and fostering world-class research infrastructure.
The scheme is linked to Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and other Institutes of National Importance (JEE institutions), providing distinguished researchers with opportunities to establish research groups and mentor the next generation of Indian scientists. This initiative reflects the government's commitment to positioning India as a global hub for cutting-edge research and innovation.
Key Exam Calendar for January 9, 2026 and beyond
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CUET PG 2026: Registration closes on January 14, 2026 — Apply immediately at exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg
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NIFT 2026: Regular deadline is January 13, 2026; late fee acceptance until January 16, 2026 — Register at exams.nta.nic.in/niftee
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AEEE 2026: Phase 1 registration closes on January 15, 2026 — Apply at aeee.amrita.edu
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JNVST 2026: Admit cards available for download; exam scheduled for February 7, 2026
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BHU SWAYAM Courses: Registration open until February 28, 2026 — Enroll at swayam.gov.in
Sources
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Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) - JNVST 2026 Admit Card Notification (January 7, 2026)
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Source: Indian Express Education, India Today Education, News18 Education
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National Testing Agency (NTA) - NIFT 2026 Registration Extension Notice
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Official: exams.nta.nic.in/niftee
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Coverage: Shiksha.com, Careers360, TopRankers.com
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National Testing Agency (NTA) - CUET PG 2026 Registration and Exam Notification
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Official: exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg
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Coverage: Testbook.com, NDTV Education, Times of India
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Banaras Hindu University (BHU) - INI-SWAYAM 2026 Course Launch Announcement
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Official: swayam.gov.in
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Coverage: Indian Express, NDTV, The Higher Education Review, EducationTimes
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National Medical Commission (NMC) - MBBS Permission Withdrawal Order, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute
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Coverage: Times of India, Medical Dialogues, India Today, Indian Express
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National Medical Commission (NMC) - New Regulatory Guidelines for PPP Medical Colleges
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Coverage: Indian Express Education Desk
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Ministry of Education, Government of India - PM Research Chair Scheme Announcement
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Coverage: Indian Express, Official Government Notifications
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Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham - AEEE 2026 Registration and Exam Guidelines
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Official: aeee.amrita.edu
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Coverage: Indian Express Education, Careers360
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