The National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology Joint Entrance Examination (NCHMCT JEE) 2026 notification is out. This exam is for students who want to join a three-year B.Sc. course in Hospitality & Hotel Administration.
Online registration for the NCHMCT JEE 2026 is expected to start in the second week of December 2025 . The exam is likely to be held in the second week of April 2026 . Students who have passed Class 12 with English, or are currently appearing for Class 12 exams, can apply.
This national level exam helps students get admission into various Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs) and other institutes linked with NCHMCT. The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts this exam for NCHMCT.
Important Dates for NCHMCT JEE 2026
Here are the expected key dates for NCHMCT JEE 2026. Students should check the official websites for final dates.
| Event | Timeline (Expected) |
| Online registration starts | Second week of December 2025 |
| Last date to apply | February–March 2026 |
| Application correction window | March 2026 |
| Admit card release | April 2026 (few days before exam) |
| Exam date | Second week of April 2026 |
| Result declaration | May 2026 |
| Counselling & seat allotment | After results |
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Students must have passed Class 12 (Senior Secondary) or an equivalent exam.
- English must be one of the subjects in Class 12.
- Students who are in their final year of Class 12 can also apply. However, they must show proof of passing by September 30 of the admission year. If they don't, their admission will be cancelled.
- There is no age limit to apply for NCHMCT JEE 2026.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus
The NCHMCT JEE is a Computer Based Test (CBT) available in both English and Hindi . The exam has 200 questions for a total of 200 marks . Each correct answer gets +4 marks , and each wrong answer results in a -1 mark . Unattempted questions get no marks.
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks |
| Numerical Ability & Analytical Aptitude | 30 | 30 |
| Reasoning & Logical Deduction | 30 | 30 |
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | 30 | 30 |
| English Language | 60 | 60 |
| Aptitude for Service Sector | 50 | 50 |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
Key Topics to Study
- Numerical Ability: Basic maths like percentages, ratios, averages, time and work.
- Reasoning: Logic questions, sequences, puzzles.
- General Knowledge: Current events, tourism, hospitality industry basics.
- English: Grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension.
- Service Sector Aptitude: Questions about customer service and hospitality situations.
Application and Course Fees
Here are some of the fees involved for the B.Sc. course. Tuition fees vary depending on the institute.
| Item | Amount (INR) |
| Admission Fee (one time) | Rs 1,600 |
| Enrollment Fee for NCHMCT (one time) | Rs 3,600 |
| JNU Fee (one time) | Rs 10,215 |
| Examination Fee (per semester) | Rs 3,000 |
| Caution Money (one time, refundable) | Rs 8,000 |
| Tuition Fee (for entire 3-year course) | Rs 3.00 lakh to Rs 5.00 lakh (approx. varies by institute) |
Scholarships Available
Students can get financial help through various national and state government scholarships. Some main scholarships include:
- Scholarships for students with disabilities.
- Scholarships for SC and ST students (e.g., Top Class Education).
- Scholarships for minority students.
- Scholarships for children of defence personnel.
- Scholarships for students from the North-East region.
Career Options After the Course
After completing the B.Sc. in Hospitality & Hotel Administration, graduates can find jobs in many areas:
- Working in hotels and resorts (Management Trainee, Front Office, Guest Relations).
- Jobs in flight kitchens and airline services.
- Roles in railway hospitality, tourism boards, cruise lines.
- Food production and restaurant management.
- Teaching in hospitality institutes.
- Sales, marketing, or starting their own business in the sector.
How to Get a Seat (Counselling)
Seats are given based on your rank in the NCHMCT JEE. There will be a centralized online counselling process. Students need to register on the NCHMCT counselling website (
nchmcounselling.nic.in
) and choose their preferred institutes.What Students Should Do Now
If you are interested in hotel management, here are the next steps:
- Check your Class 12 documents to make sure you have English as a subject.
- Prepare scanned copies of your passport-size photo and signature.
- Keep checking the official NTA and NCHMCT websites for the exact dates and application link in December 2025 .
- Start preparing for the exam. Focus on English, reasoning, numerical ability, general knowledge, and service sector questions.
