National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology Joint Entrance Examination

NTA will conduct the NHCMCT JEE exam on April 25, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 02:00 PM in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. Last year, the NCHMCT JEE exam was held in around 118 exam centres located in 90 cities across India. Every year, around 12,000 - 13,000 students register for the exam. The number of candidates appearing for the exam increased by 24.8% in 2025 compared to 2024.

• In 2026, 15,000 students are expected to register for the test.
• Last year, 11,068 candidates appeared for the NCHMCT JEE exam.
• In 2024, 12,738 candidates registered for the exam, and 8,862 candidates appeared.

Every year, students fight for approximately 12,627 seats available in various management colleges in India. You need to score at least 760 for the general category, 600 and above for OBC and EWS, 500 and above for SC and ST Category students.

• Top IHMs like IHM Pusa, IHM Mumbai, and IHM Bangalore have High cut-offs due to popularity and placement records, with expected marks of 600+ and ranks between 1–1000.
• Intermediate IHMs like IHM Lucknow, IHM Gwalior, and IHM Jaipur cut-offs range from 500–600 marks and ranks between 1001–3000.

NCHMCT registration is ongoing and will be available till 25th March 2026. NTA is yet to release other dates related to the exam. Once the dates are released, we will update the details here. Till then, you can check the dates below.

Also Check:

• NCHMCT JEE Admit Card, Exam Centers, Hall Ticket
• NCHM JEE 2026 Exam Scheduled for April 25; NTA Opens Registration For BSc Hospitality and Hotel Management

What is the NCHMCT Exam?

The NCHMCT JEE exam is a national-level hospitality exam conducted annually for admission to 3-year BSc Hospitality Courses. The NCHM JEE is conducted by NTA, under the Ministry of Education, Govt of India. The NCHMCT JEE scores are accepted by:

• 21 Central Government-sponsored Institutes of Hotel Management (CIHMs)
• 33 State Government-sponsored Institutes of Hotel Management (SIHMs)
• 25 Private Institutes of Hotel Management
• 1 Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) owned Institute
• 2 IHMs run under Public-Private Partnership

There are 13 Food-craft Institutes linked with NCHMCT JEE that provide diploma courses in core operational areas around the country. You can check all the Food-Craft Institutes here on the official website.

IHMs Under NCHMCT is ranked as the Best Hospitality & Hotel Management School in India & 11 in the World by CEO World, USA for the year 2025.

Source: Information Brochure

NCHMCT JEE 2026 Exam Key Changes

NTA released NCHMCT JEE 2026 notifications on its official website. As per the notification, NCHMCT has introduced many changes in the exam.

• NCHMCT JEE exam pattern changed. NCHM JEE will now have only 120 questions.
• Duration of the test reduced to 120 minutes from 3 hours.
• The sectional weightage of the NCHM JEE exam has been reduced.
• The NCHMCT JEE exam centre number increased to 120 NCHMCT JEE test centres located in different states of India.
• Students can select four preferred test centres while booking their seats.

Check: NCHMCT JEE 2026 Exam Pattern Changed; Check New Structure & Duration Here

NCHMCT JEE 2026: Student Reviews

Most students wonder How hard is the NCHMCT JEE exam?

A Quora user Mayank Rao answered: I simply ran through all the questions and found the question paper damn easy.. To be honest English, logical reasoning and mathematics sections were solved in matter of couple of minutes ( 45 mins) to be exact. Only section which was difficult was General knowledge.

Some students who already started preparing asked : How do prepare myself for NCHMCT along with my 12th boards exam too?

A Quora user Sarim Islam answered: Normally the NCHM JEE exam is held in between the month of june-august. So, the exam will not disturb you in your board exam.

The same user also said: You can do one thing, solve one set of previous year questions of exam, in 3 hrs. Measure your performance. If you're not getting more than 50% questions right, then start your prep now.

Students also ask: Is it necessary to take coaching for NCHMCT JEE examination?

A Quora user Naman garg answered: Cracking NCHMCT JEE only requires a bit of common sense and decent quantitative skills. There are a plethora of books available for preparation, however, I used a book by arihant publications for my preparation.

Colleges Accepting NCHMCT JEE 2026 Scores

Central Government IHMs

Check: List of Top Colleges in India Accepting NCHMCT JEE

State Government IHMs

Private IHMs

PSU IHM

How to Prepare for NCHMCT JEE 2026?

The last minute preparation guidelines for NCHMCT JEE 2026 are given below:

• Practice Papers: You must solve as many practice papers as possible. Practice papers will help you get an idea of the type of questions that will be asked in the NCHMCT Question Papers.
• Mock Tests: Mock Tests will be an integral part of your NCHMCT JEE Preparation. Mock Tests will help you manage your time and see which section takes the maximum time or needs a revision.
• Revise: Revise all the topics, make notes, and revise formulas and short tricks for numerical problems.

NCHMCT registration 2026 has been extended from 25 January 2026 to 25 March 2026. The application form for NCHMCT JEE 2026 was released on December 26, 2025. You can apply for NCHMCT JEE at the official website – nchm.ntaonline.in.

Due to the sudden postponement of the NCHMCT JEE registration date, the exam date is expected to be postponed too. NTA has not released any notice regarding the change of the NCHMCT JEE Exam Date, which is currently April 25.

• For the 2026 NCHMCT JEE, roughly 15,000 students are expected to register
• NCHMCT JEE received 12,603 registrations in 2025 and 12,738 in 2024, with roughly 11,000+ candidates appearing.
• Registration fees of INR 1,000 for General, INR 700 for General-EWS, and INR 450 for the reserved category.
• You can select four NCHMCT JEE 2026 test centers at the time of filling out the application form.

The NCHMCT JEE 2026 application form correction window will open once registration ends. The expected release date is March 27 to March 30, 2026 (tentative). You will be able to change any mistakes if required in that time.

In case you have misplaced your application form password, you can recover it either by using a security question and answer used during form filling, or a verification code in the registered mobile number and email ID.

Also Check:

• NCHMCT JEE 2026 Admit Card Direct Link, Exam Centers, Hall Ticket and Exam Day Guidelines
• NCHMCT JEE 2026 Registration Deadline Extended Till March 25, 2026

Recent Changes in NCHMCT JEE 2026 Exam

NTA released NCHMCT JEE 2026 notifications on its official website. As per the notification, NCHMCT has introduced many changes in the exam.

• NCHM JEE will now have only 120 questions.
• Duration of the test reduced to 120 minutes from 3 hours.
• The sectional weightage of the NCHM JEE exam has been reduced.
• THE NCHMCT JEE exam centre number increased to 120, located in different states of India.
• Students can select four preferred test centres while booking their seats.

NCHMCT JEE 2026 Application Process: A Step-by-Step Registration Guide

In this video, we explain the complete application process step by step, so you can fill the form correctly without making mistakes.

NCHMCT JEE Application Form 2026 Dates

The NCHMCT registration is ongoing, and you can apply till March 25, 2026. The other dates related to the NCHMCT Application are:

Check:

• NCHMCT JEE 2026 Exam Pattern Changed; Check New Structure & Duration Here
• NCHMCT JEE Exam Pattern, Check Syllabus, Marking Scheme, Preparation Books

NCHMCT Registration Statistics: Previous Year Data

If you are wondering how many students appear for NCHMCT JEE, you can check the previous year's statistics. This will give you an idea of your competition.

Gender-wise Candidates Registered and Appeared (2024)

Category-wise Registered Candidates (2024)

How to fill the NCHMCT JEE 2026 Application Form?

The video by “Manoeuvre Hotel Management” provides an indepth step by step guide on how to fill the NCHMCT JEE application form.

NCHMCT JEE 2026 Application Fees

The application fees for NCHMCT JEE may be submitted through Net Banking/Debit Card/Credit Card/UPI Services. The NCHMCT JEE 2026 Application Fees are:

Source: NCHMCT JEE Registration Page

What is the NCHMCT JEE Photo Size Guidelines?

You must upload Scanned Images of Photograph, Signature, Category Certificate(wherever applicable) and PwD/PwBD Certificate (wherever applicable). While uploading the images, few guidelines must be followed which are:

• Recent photograph should be either in colour or black & white with 80% face (without mask) visible, including ears, against a white background.
• Scanned photograph and signature should be in JPG/JPEG format (clearly legible).
• The size of the scanned photograph should be between 10 kb to 200 kb (clearly legible).
• The size of the scanned signature should be between 10 kb to 100 kb (clearly legible)
• Size of the scanned copy of the Category certificate between 10 kb to 300 kb (clearly legible)
• Size of the scanned copy of PwD/PwBD certificate between 10 kb to 300 kb (clearly legible)

What are the Documents Required for NCHMCT JEE Registration 2026?

The documents required to fill out the NCHMCT JEE application form are as follows:

• Scanned passport-size Photograph in the format prescribed by the NCHMCT JEE 2026
• Scanned Picture & Signature in the format prescribed by the NCHMCT JEE brochure
• Class 10 mark sheet and certificate
• Class 12 mark sheet and certificate
• A valid ID proof, i.e. PAN card, Voter ID card, Aadhar Card, and Driving license

Source: NCHMCT JEE Registration Page

How to Reset Your NCHMCT JEE Password?

In case a candidate misplaces their NCHM JEE Password, he/she can use the following options to reset their password:

• Using the security question and answer.
• Using a verification code sent via text message (SMS) to your Registered Mobile No
• Using a reset link sent via Email to your Registered Email address.

Source: NCHMCT JEE Registration Page

Details can be changed in the NCHMT JEE 2026 Application Form

Most details can be edited in the edit window of the NCMHCT JEE 2026 online application form. These include:

Details that Cannot Be Corrected in NCHMCT JEE Application Form

Based on past NTA notifications, the fields that cannot be edited may include:

• Registered application number
• Candidate's nationality
• Examination mode (CBT)
• Permanent address (in some cases)
• Details entered after payment, if not listed as editable.

Always verify the final list in the NCHMCT JEE 2026 Information Bulletin before attempting any edits.

NTA has revised the NCHMCT JEE Exam Pattern 2026 as per the information released on the official website nchm.gov.in/. The NCHMCT JEE exam pattern will now include only 120 questions in place of 200.

• The weightage of each NCHMCT JEE section has been reduced.
• The English language has a maximum weight of 45 marks, followed by Aptitude for the service sector with 30 marks
• The other 3 sections (Numerical Ability and Analytical Aptitude, Reasoning and Logical Deduction, General Knowledge and Current Affairs) have 15 marks each.
• The duration of the NCHMCT JEE entrance exam has been reduced to 120 minutes from 180 minutes.
• For every correct answer, 4 marks will be awarded, and 1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer in the NCHMCT JEE.

The NCHMCT JEE question paper is divided into 5 sections: Numerical Ability and Analytical Aptitude, Reasoning and Logical Deduction, General Knowledge and Current Affairs, English Language, and Aptitude for the Service Sector.

NCHMCT JEE 2026 question paper will be MCQ-based, and the medium of language will be English.

Also Check:

• Have you registered for NCHMCT JEE 2026? If not, Register Now. Click Here.
• Take NCHMCT JEE 2026 Mock Test and Practice Free Subject-wise Mock Test Papers

NCHMCT JEE Exam Pattern: Weightage

The new revised NCHMCT JEE Exam pattern is provided below. The marks for Numerical Ability and Analytical Aptitude, Reasoning and Logical Deduction and General Knowledge & Current Affairs have been reduced to 15 from 30. The marks for other sections have also reduced, along with the total time.

Source: NCHMCT JEE Official Information Brochure

NCHMCT JEE 2026 Marking Scheme

As per the new NCHMCT JEE exam pattern 2026, the question paper comprises 120 questions, and for each correct answer, the candidate is awarded 4 marks.

• There will be a negative marking of 1 mark for every wrong answer.
• The marking scheme for Service Sector Aptitude section of the question paper will be done differently.

The NCHMCT JEE marking scheme for it is as follows-

• Correct Answer Four mark: +4
• Incorrect Answer Minus one mark: -1
• Unanswered/Marked for Review: No mark (0)

Also Check:

• NCHMCT JEE 2026 Exam Pattern Changed; Check New Structure & Duration Here
• NCHM JEE 2026 Schedule Out; Check Details Here.

NCHMCT 2026 JEE Exam Pattern in Detail

The NCHMCT exam requires 5 different streams of subjects to be studied, and English as a compulsory subject to be studied in the educational background.

• A pen and paper test in both Hindi and English.
• The examination contains objective-type questions based on the latest syllabus.

The types of questions vary from section to section. Here are the types of questions that will be asked in all the sections:

1. Numerical Ability and Analytical Aptitude- Tests basic mathematics and logic, like arithmetic (percentages, profit/loss, averages), number systems, geometry, and simple data interpretation, requiring high-speed calculation.
2. Reasoning and Logical Deduction- Designed to test analytical aptitude rather than theoretical knowledge. Key topics include Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Series, Syllogisms, and Seating Arrangements.
3. General Knowledge and current affairs- GK tests static general knowledge and recent events. Most questions focus on the hospitality industry, tourism, and national /international happenings from the past 12 months.
4. English Language- Tests grammar accuracy, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and sentence structuring skills.
5. Aptitude for Service Sector- It tests attitude, behavioral responses, ethics, and etiquette via situational questions, usually considered the easiest section.

NCHMCT JEE Section-wise Time Allocation Strategy

While preparing for NCHMCT JEE 2026, you must be aware of how many questions you can solve in the specified time. This will help you to attempt all questions within the stipulated time.

What is a Good Attempt in NCHMCT JEE 2026?

For general category candidates, a score between 90–100 qualifies, but competitive, high-ranking seats require much higher scores. Most IHM require a score of 110 and above to secure admission.

The NCHMCT JEE Syllabus 2026 went through a few changes, like reduced weightage and reduced time limit. The total time was 3 hours, which is now reduced to 2 hours. Previously, NCHMCT JEE had 200 questions, which is now reduced to 120. As per the revised exam pattern, the NCHMCT JEE 2026 paper is divided into five sections:

• Numerical Ability and Analytical Aptitude (15 marks): Focusses on Elementary Mathematics, Number System, Percentage, Profit & Loss, and many more.a
• Reasoning and Logical Deduction (15 marks): Questions asked from Analytical Reasoning, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Puzzles, Series, etc.
• General Knowledge & Current Affairs (15 marks): You must prepare on Static GK, Current Events, Sports, Science, Awards, and World Organisations.
• English Language (45 marks): Learn the basics of Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Synonyms/Antonyms, Paragraph Completion, etc.
• Aptitude for Service Sector (30 marks): Focuses on service orientation, hospitality awareness, and behavioral traits suitable for the industry.

There will be 120 multiple-choice questions in the NCHMCT JEE exam paper. Most questions will be asked from English Language and Aptitude for Service Sector, with 45 and 30, respectively. You can check the detailed syllabus below.

Also Read:

• NCHMCT JEE 2026 Registration (Ongoing), Direct Link, Steps to Apply, Fees, Documents, Form Correction
• NCHMCT JEE 2026 Exam Pattern, Check Syllabus, Marking Scheme, Preparation Books

NCHMCT JEE 2026 Syllabus: Numerical Ability and Analytical Aptitude

The NCHMCT JEE syllabus for Numerical Ability and Analytical Aptitude is mentioned below:

NCHMCT JEE 2026 Syllabus for Reasoning and Logical Deductions

The following main topics are included in the Reasoning and Logical Deductions syllabus for the NCHMCT JEE:

NCHMCT JEE Syllabus 2026: General Knowledge

Candidates can check the syllabus for NCHM JEE 2026 General Knowledge section below:

NCHMCT JEE 2026 Syllabus for English

The English section of the NCHMCT JEE syllabus covers the following topics:

NCHMCT JEE Syllabus 2026 for Aptitude for the Service Sector

In the aptitude for service section, the questions are related to hotel management.

Attempting NCHMCT Mock Tests and sample papers will help you understand the type of questions that can be asked and the difficulty level of questions.

NCHMCT JEE Syllabus 2026: Student Opinions

Students often ask How hard is the NCHMCT JEE exam? I heard it's very hard. Is it true?

A Quora user, Mayank Rao answered: I simply ran through all the questions and found the question paper damn easy. To be honest English, logical reasoning and mathematics sections were solved in matter of couple of minutes ( 45 mins) to be exact.

Students who have decided to take the test might ask Which book should I prefer for NCHMCT JEE preparation?

A Quora user, Aakash Sangar, answered: I personally suggest that the ultimate guide for hotel management NCHMCT JEE entrance examination by Arihant publications, is the best book of all hospitality and hotel management entrance examinations.

Best Books for NCHMCT JEE 2026: Subject-wise

Also Read: List of Top Colleges in India Accepting NCHMCT JEE

NCHMCT JEE Cutoff is the opening and closing ranks released after the NCHM JEE 2026 Counselling. It is prepared by the official body based on the minimum qualifying marks and rank obtained in the NCHM JEE 2026 entrance exam.

You will get the NCHMCT JEE cutoff separately for each college that accepts scores of the hotel management entrance exam as per the official NCHM website.

Last year, the NTA released the NCHMCT JEE Cutoff 2025 on 18 May 2025 along with the scorecard.

• Top-tier IHMs typically close admissions for the rank 1000-1500.
• Mid-tier IHMs remain accessible till Rank 5000.
• State-level and private IHMs may accept candidates up to a Rank of 15,000.

NCHMCT JEE is a hotel management entrance exam that is conducted by National Testing Agency. Based on NCHMCT JEE scores, aspirants are offered admission at

• 21 Central Govt.-sponsored Institutes of Hotel Management
• 33 State Govt.-sponsored Institutes of Hotel Management
• 25 Private Institutes
• 2 IHMs run under PPP
• 1 PSU-owned Institute

Apart from these, 14 Food Craft Institutes are also affiliated to NCHMT, located in different parts of the country, offering Diploma programs in core operational areas.

Check:

• NCHMCT JEE Result 206, Scorecard Link, Rank List, Mark Vs Rank
• NCHMCT JEE Counselling 2026, Check Dates, Document Verification

NCHMCT JEE Reservation Criteria 2026

NCHMCT JEE 2026 reservation policy has not been released yet. Until it is announced, students can refer to the reservation criteria used for NCHMCT JEE 2025.

• As per government norms, certain seats are reserved for OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD categories.
• A special seat is available for Kashmiri Migrant students in every state and central government IHM.

NCHMCT JEE 2026 Total seats

The NCHMCT JEE 2026 provides a total of 12,185 seats across 90 institutes. The seats are divided among the institutes:

• Central Government IHMs (Approximately 6,734 seats): This category offers the highest number of seats, making up more than 55% of the total seats available.
• State Government IHMs (Approximately 2,937 seats): State government institutes provides a good number of seats, which is almost 24% of the total.
• PSU Institute (Approximately 96 seats): With a low percentage of merely about 0.8% of the total available seats, the PSU Institute is not very promising.
• Private IHMs (Approximately 2,418 seats): Private institutes offer approximately 20% of the seats.

NCHMCT JEE Category-Wise Distribution of Seats

NCHMCT JEE Rank-wise College

The NCHMCT JEE 2026 Rank-wise college distribution is categorized into three tiers: Top Tier, Mid Tier, and Emerging & Private Colleges.

• The Top Tier Institutions (Rank 1–500) are such colleges as IHM Pusa, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
• The Mid Tier Colleges (Rank 500–5000) include institutions such as IHM Bangalore, Rohtak, and Lucknow.
• The Emerging & Private Colleges (Rank 5000–10000+), such as IHM Faridabad and Munnar Catering College, these colleges offer admission to students with low rank and fees.

NCHMCT JEE Top Tier Institutes (Rank 1 – 500)

NCHMCT JEE Mid Tier Institutes (Rank 500 – 5000)

NCHMCT JEE Emerging & Private Colleges (Rank 5000 – 10000+)

NCHMCT JEE 2026 Rank vs Percentile

Rankings and percentages are important indicators for evaluating your chances of admission. Understanding the relationship between the two can help you assess the situation and set expectations.

1. >95% Percentile (Rank 1 – 1000): This percentile indicates top ranks, which ensures admission to top-tier IHMs such as IHM Pusa, IHM Mumbai, and IHM Bangalore.
2. 90% – 95% Percentile (Rank 1001 – 2000): This range offers moderate chances for admission to IHMs like IHM Chennai and IHM Lucknow.
3. 85% – 90% Percentile (Rank 2001 – 3000): Mid-range IHMs such as IHM Jaipur and IHM Kolkata are likely options in this percentile range.
4. 80% – 85% Percentile (Rank 3001 – 4000): With this percentile, you may secure admission to lower-tier institutes or possibly in later rounds of popular IHMs.
5. 75% – 80% Percentile (Rank 4001 – 5000): Lower-tier IHMs or positions on waitlists for top institutes are possible in this rank range.
6. <75% Percentile (Rank 5001+): A lower percentile usually means admission to newer or less popular IHMs with lower cut-offs.

NCHMCT JEE Previous Year Cut-Off Analysis

By analyzing previous year cutoff scores, applicants can identify patterns, set realistic score goals, and strategically prepare for NCHMCT JEE 2025.

NCHMCT JEE 2024 Cut-Off Analysis

• Top-tier IHMs (Rank 1–1000): Cut-offs for institutes like IHM Pusa, Mumbai, and Bangalore were around 600+ marks.
• Moderate-tier IHMs (Rank 1001–2000): IHM Lucknow and IHM Chennai saw cut-offs between 500 and 600 marks.
• Mid-range IHMs (Rank 2001–3000): IHM Jaipur and IHM Gwalior had cut-offs around 450–500 marks.
• Lower-tier IHMs (Rank 3001–5000): IHM Gurdaspur and IHM Bhubaneswar had cut-offs between 400 and 450 marks.

NCHMCT JEE 2023 Cut-Off Analysis

The 2023 cutoff is slightly higher compared to 2022 due to the increased number of applicants and improved overall applicant performance.

• Top-tier IHMs (Rank 1–1000): IHM Pusa, Mumbai, and Bangalore maintained cut-offs of 600+ marks.
• Moderate-tier IHMs (Rank 1001–2000): IHM Lucknow and IHM Chennai saw a slight rise with cut-offs of 550–600 marks.
• Mid-range IHMs (Rank 2001–3000): IHM Jaipur and IHM Gwalior had cut-offs between 475 and 525 marks.
• Lower-tier IHMs (Rank 3001–5000): IHM Gurdaspur and IHM Bhubaneswar had cut-offs of 400–450 marks.

NCHMCT JEE Result 2025 Mark Vs. Rank

NCHMCT JEE 2025 Marks refers to the obtaining marks of the candidates. The number of right and wrong answers determines the score and candidates' performance.

NCHMCT JEE 2025 Rank denotes the relative standing of the candidate on the merit list. NCHMCT JEE Mark 2025 is the key factor that determines the rank. The detailed analysis of NCHMCT JEE Result 2025 Marks Vs. The rank will be presented below in tabulated format.

NCHMCT JEE Result 2025: Ranking System

The exam authority will release the NCHMCT marks in percentile format. After that, the counselling authority NCHM will allocate the rank based on the percentile score. However, to allocate the rank it will convert the percentile into marks and take the candidate’s raw score. After taking the raw score, if the authority observes that any two candidates have secured the same marks, then it will implement the tie-breaking policy to allocate the rank.

NCHMCT JEE Result 2025: Tie Breaking Policy

For the candidates with the same marks, NTA will implement the tie-breaker policy to resolve the tie. Thereafter it will assign individual rank to the candidates. The tie - breaker rule will be implemented in below order:

• NTA will assign the highest rank to the candidates with highest marks in English.
• If it fails to resolve the tie then the exam authority will consider the Service Sector Aptitude to consider the highest rank.
• If the tie still persists, then the candidates’ age will be considered to determine the highest rank.