The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially announced the SWAYAM 2026 January Semester (SWAYAM-16) exam dates, offering a major opportunity for students and professionals across India to earn certifications in diverse academic and skill-based courses. The SWAYAM 2026 exams will be conducted from June 17 to June 21, 2026, with buffer dates on June 22 and 23, 2026. This initiative is highly relevant for students, aspirants, and working professionals seeking flexible, government-backed online education from platforms like IGNOU, UGC, AICTE, NPTEL, CEC, and more.
SWAYAM 2026 Exam Dates & Timing
The exams will be conducted in two shifts daily:
- Shift 1: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Shift 2: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
The exam duration will be 180 minutes (3 hours). Around 900 courses will be covered under SWAYAM 2026 across multiple disciplines.
SWAYAM 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Details |
| Application Start Date | April 15, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | May 11, 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | May 12, 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Correction Window | May 13 – May 15, 2026 |
| Exam Dates | June 17–21, 2026 |
| Buffer Dates | June 22 & 23, 2026 |
| Admit Card | To be announced |
| Official Websites | exams.nta.nic.in, exams.nta.nic.in/swayam |
SWAYAM 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Fee (Per Course) |
| General (UR) | ₹750 |
| EWS / OBC / SC / ST / PwD | ₹500 |
Candidates can apply for a maximum of 10 courses, depending on schedule compatibility.
How to Apply for SWAYAM 2026
To apply for SWAYAM January 2026 exams, follow these steps:
- Visit the official website: https://exams.nta.nic.in/swayam/
- Register using your email ID and mobile number
- Log in and select your desired SWAYAM course(s)
- Click on “Enroll”
- Register separately for the NTA certification exam
- Pay the applicable fee and submit the application
SWAYAM 2026 Exam Pattern
The exam pattern varies depending on the course type:
- 66 papers: 100 MCQs (1 mark each)
- 463 papers: 50 MCQs (2 marks each)
- 65 hybrid papers:
- 20 MCQs (CBT mode)
- 10 short-answer questions
- 7 long-answer questions
Hybrid Mode Structure:
- Section A: MCQs (1 mark each)
- Section B: Short Answers (3 marks each)
- Section C: Long Answers (10 marks each)
Important: There is no negative marking for incorrect answers in MCQ sections.
Participating Institutions
SWAYAM courses are offered by reputed national institutions including:
- IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University)
- UGC (University Grants Commission)
- AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education)
- CEC (Consortium for Educational Communication)
- NPTEL / IITs
- NITTTR
- INI (Institutes of National Importance)
Helpdesk Support
In case of any issues during application:
- Helpline Number: 011-40759000
- Email: swayam@nta.ac.in
Candidates are advised to regularly check the official NTA SWAYAM portal for updates regarding admit cards and exam city details.
Quick Reference Summary
| Feature | Details |
| Exam Name | SWAYAM January Semester 2026 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Courses Offered | 900+ courses |
| Exam Mode | CBT / Hybrid |
| Max Courses Allowed | 10 |
| Negative Marking | No |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| When will SWAYAM 2026 exams be conducted? |
| The exams will be held from June 17 to June 21, 2026. |
| What is the last date to apply for SWAYAM 2026? |
| May 11, 2026, up to 11:50 PM. |
| How many courses can I apply for? |
| Candidates can apply for up to 10 courses. |
| Is there negative marking in SWAYAM exams? |
| No, there is no negative marking for MCQs. |
| What is the exam duration? |
| The exam duration is 3 hours (180 minutes). |
| Where can I apply for SWAYAM 2026? |
| On the official website exams.nta.nic.in/swayam. |
| What is the application fee? |
| ₹750 for General and ₹500 for reserved categories per course. |
| What should I do if I face issues while applying? |
| Contact the NTA helpline or email swayam@nta.ac.in. |
The SWAYAM 2026 January Semester exams provide an excellent opportunity for learners to gain recognized certifications from top Indian institutions. Candidates should complete their applications between April 15 and May 11, 2026, and prepare for exams scheduled from June 17 onward. For the latest updates, always refer to the official NTA SWAYAM website and bookmark this page for future notifications, for more details CLICK HERE
