The National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) has released important updates for students interested in hospitality and hotel management. The NCHMCT Joint Entrance Examination (NCHMCT JEE) 2026 will tentatively be held on April 11, 2026 . This national exam is for students who wish to join the Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Hospitality and Hotel Administration (HHA) program.
NCHMCT conducts this entrance exam every year. The official notice, which includes details about who can apply (eligibility criteria), is now available. Students should regularly check the NCHMCT official website for the latest information and updates.
The registration process for NCHMCT JEE 2026 is tentatively scheduled to begin on December 12, 2025 . These dates are provisional and may change. The exam itself is planned for the second week of April 2026.
Who Can Apply? NCHMCT JEE 2026 Eligibility Rules
To apply for the NCHMCT JEE 2026 exam, students must meet specific conditions related to their education, age, and physical health.
Educational Qualifications
Students must have passed or be appearing for their Class 12 (10+2) board exams. This qualification can be from any recognised Central or State board in India. It is also required that English was one of their subjects in Class 12.
- Students who are taking their Class 12 exams in 2026 can also apply for NCHMCT JEE. However, these students must submit proof that they have passed Class 12 when they attend the admission counselling. If they do not provide this proof, their admission will be cancelled.
The following exams are also considered equivalent to Class 12 for NCHMCT JEE 2026:
- CBSE, ISC, and State Board Senior Secondary examinations.
- Two-year Pre-University or Intermediate examinations.
- GCE (General Certificate of Education) Advanced Level from London, Cambridge, or Sri Lanka.
- Cambridge High School Certificate.
- Any other 10+2 equivalent examinations recognised by COBSE (Council of Boards of School Education in India) or AIU (Association of Indian Universities).
- HSC Vocational examinations approved by NCVT (National Council for Vocational Training) or SCVT (State Council for Vocational Training).
- NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) Senior Secondary examination with 5 subjects, including English.
Age Limit
The official age criteria for NCHMCT JEE 2026 are not yet fully released. Based on the rules from 2025, here are the expected age limits:
- For students in the General and OBC categories: The maximum age allowed is 25 years . This means candidates should be born on or after July 1, 1997 .
- For students in the SC (Scheduled Castes), ST (Scheduled Tribes), and PwD (Persons with Disabilities) categories: The maximum age allowed is 28 years . This means candidates should be born on or after July 1, 1995 .
The date of birth recorded on the candidate’s Class 10 or Pre-University certificate will be accepted as valid proof of age.
Physical Fitness
All candidates who are selected for admission must submit a Physical Fitness Certificate. This certificate must be issued by a doctor who is officially registered (Registered Medical Practitioner). Students must bring this certificate at the time of admission.
Reservation of Seats for NCHMCT JEE 2026
NCHMCT follows the reservation policy set by the government of India. This policy ensures that a certain percentage of seats are reserved for different categories of students. The reservation percentages are:
| Category | Reservation Percentage |
| SC (Scheduled Castes) | 15% |
| ST (Scheduled Tribes) | 7.5% |
| OBC (Other Backward Classes - Non-Creamy Layer) | 27% |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) | 10% |
| PwD (Persons with Disabilities) | 5% (This reservation applies across all other categories) |
Additionally, there are reservations for Kashmiri Migrants. These reservations follow the specific guidelines and notifications issued by the Ministry of Education.
Documents Needed for Reserved Categories
Students applying under any reserved category must provide a valid caste or category certificate. This certificate must be issued by an authorised government official. These officials include:
- District Magistrate (DM)
- Additional District Magistrate (ADM)
- Collector
- Deputy Commissioner
- Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)
- Revenue Officer at Tehsildar-level
- Other similar approved authorities
Only certificates issued by these specified authorities will be accepted. Students must present their original documents during the counselling and admission process.
