The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the exam schedule for the SWAYAM January 2026 semester. Candidates enrolled in SWAYAM courses can now check the detailed examination dates and guidelines on the official website https://exams.nta.nic.in/swayam/. As per the official notification, the SWAYAM January 2026 semester examinations will be conducted from June 17 to June 21, 2026, with buffer dates on June 22 and 23, 2026, which may be used in case of technical or administrative exigencies.
SWAYAM is a national-level online education initiative supported by the Government of India, offering high-quality courses from premier institutions. The January 2026 semester examinations will be conducted for 648 courses, making it one of the largest online certification assessments in the country.
SWAYAM January 2026 Exam Dates
The exams will be held on the following dates:
- June 17, 2026
- June 18, 2026
- June 19, 2026
- June 20, 2026
- June 21, 2026
- Buffer Dates: June 22 and June 23, 2026
Candidates are advised to keep themselves available on buffer dates, as NTA may schedule exams on these days if required.
Exam Mode and Course Coverage
The SWAYAM January 2026 exams will be conducted in hybrid mode, which includes:
- Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Pen-and-Paper Test (PBT)
The mode of examination for each course will be clearly mentioned in the respective course details. Exams will cover 648 SWAYAM courses offered across disciplines such as engineering, humanities, social sciences, management, and science.
Exam Shifts and Medium
Each exam day will have two shifts:
- Shift 1: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Shift 2: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
The medium of the question paper will be English only. However, language courses will be conducted in their respective languages, as applicable.
SWAYAM January 2026 Marking Scheme
NTA has clarified the evaluation process for SWAYAM exams:
- No negative marking for incorrect answers in MCQ sections
- No marks for unanswered or unattempted questions
- If a question is ambiguous, incorrect, or has multiple correct answers, marks will be awarded only to candidates who attempted the question and selected a correct option
- If a question is dropped due to human or technical error, marks will be awarded only to candidates who attempted the question
Eligibility for Certificate and Credit Transfer
To be eligible for SWAYAM certification and credit transfer, students must:
- Score at least 40% marks in the Term-End Written Test conducted by NTA
- Score at least 40% marks separately in the Internal Assessment
Only candidates meeting both criteria independently will be awarded the certificate and eligible for credit transfer as per university norms.
Quick Reference Summary
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | SWAYAM January 2026 Semester Exams |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Dates | June 17–21, 2026 |
| Buffer Dates | June 22 & 23, 2026 |
| Total Courses | 648 |
| Exam Mode | CBT & Pen-and-Paper (Hybrid) |
| Shifts | 9:30 AM–12:30 PM; 3:00 PM–6:00 PM |
| Negative Marking | No |
| Official Website | exams.nta.nic.in/swayam |
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Regularly check the official SWAYAM-NTA website for course-wise exam mode and admit card updates
- Verify shift timing and exam centre details once admit cards are released
- Ensure compliance with NTA exam guidelines on the exam day
- Maintain copies of scorecards and certificates for credit transfer purposes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| When will SWAYAM January 2026 exams be conducted? |
| From June 17 to June 21, 2026. |
| What are the buffer dates announced by NTA? |
| June 22 and June 23, 2026. |
| How many courses are covered under SWAYAM January 2026 exams? |
| A total of 648 courses. |
| What is the exam mode for SWAYAM exams? |
| Hybrid mode including CBT and Pen-and-Paper tests. |
| Is there negative marking in SWAYAM exams? |
| No, there is no negative marking. |
| What is the minimum score required for certification? |
| 40% in the term-end exam and 40% in internal assessment separately. |
| In which language will the question papers be set? |
| English only, except for language courses. |
| Where can candidates check the official exam schedule? |
| On exams.nta.nic.in/swayam. |
The release of the SWAYAM January 2026 exam schedule by NTA provides students ample time to prepare for their assessments. With exams scheduled from June 17 to 21, 2026, and a transparent evaluation system, candidates are encouraged to plan their preparation strategically. For the latest updates, course-wise exam modes, and admit card information, candidates should regularly visit the official NTA SWAYAM portal and bookmark this page for future reference, for more details CLICK HERE
