Almost a month ago on 7 July, The HRD announced tentative schedule for various competitive exams at a press conference. NTA announced the dates for registration and schedule for various competitive exams such as University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC – NET), Joint Entrance Test-Main (JEE-Main) and National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT) and Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) to be conducted till May 2019 on Tuesday, 21 August.

Initially, in July, the Centre had decided to conduct JEE – Main and NEET twice a year and computer-based but after the request from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, they nailed down NEET exam to be an annual exam in pen and paper format with no changes in pattern. Also, it will be conducted in the same number of languages as it was in 2018. However, JEE – Main, UGC – NET, GPAT and CMAT will be conducted in a computer-based format.
NTA is coming off as a living personification of knight in shining armour for students as it is relieving them from the burden of waiting one whole year for reappearing in the entrance exam. JEE – Mains will now be conducted twice a year.
CMAT and GPAT are also annual single day exam taking place on January 28, 2019. NEET – UG will be conducted on May 5, 2019.
The first exam to be conducted by NTA is UGC – NET from December 9 to 23, 2018, while JEE Main 1 will be taking place from January 6 to 20, 2019 and JEE – Main 2 will be taking place from April 6 to 20, 2019.
A countrywide network of test practise centres (TPCs) are being established for students in rural areas so that everyone acquires equal opportunity to practise before the exam. A total of 2,697 schools and engineering colleges with the facility of computer centres are being made accessible for all students, free of charge. To select nearby TPC, a mobile application is being developed.