Top 5 Engineering Entrance Exams in India Other Than JEE Main (2026 Guide)

Key Takeaway

While JEE Main is India’s most popular engineering entrance exam, several other national and state-level exams can help you secure admission to top engineering colleges. Knowing these options ensures you don’t limit your chances to just one exam.

1. BITSAT (Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test)

Conducted by: BITS Pilani
Participating Campuses: BITS Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad
Mode: Online (CBT)
Exam Frequency: Once a year

Overview:
BITSAT is known for its unique question pattern emphasizing logic, analytical ability, and conceptual clarity. The exam has 130 questions across Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, and Logical Reasoning.

OGcollege Insight:
BITSAT rewards speed and accuracy — students with strong problem-solving skills often find it easier to score well here than in JEE Main.

2. VITEEE (Vellore Institute of Technology Engineering Entrance Examination)

Conducted by: VIT University
Mode: Online (CBT)
Participating Campuses: VIT Vellore, Chennai, Bhopal, and Amaravati

Overview:
VITEEE offers admission to over 4,000 engineering seats. The exam focuses on Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, with emphasis on NCERT-level understanding.

OGcollege Insight:
VITEEE’s syllabus overlaps 80% with JEE Main, making it an excellent backup for aspirants targeting high-ranked private universities.

3. SRMJEEE (SRM Joint Engineering Entrance Examination)

Conducted by: SRM Institute of Science & Technology
Mode: Online
Participating Campuses: Chennai, NCR, Amaravati, and Sonepat

Overview:
SRMJEEE provides admission to SRM’s multiple campuses across India. The exam includes questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology and is known for being slightly easier than JEE Main.

OGcollege Insight:
SRM is known for its strong placement record — over 700 companies visit annually. Scoring well in SRMJEEE ensures access to high-quality private education without relying solely on JEE.

4. COMEDK UGET (Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka)

Conducted by: COMEDK Authority
Mode: Online
Participating Institutes: 150+ Engineering Colleges in Karnataka

Overview:
COMEDK UGET allows students from across India to apply for engineering seats in top private colleges in Karnataka such as RVCE, BMSCE, and MSRIT.

OGcollege Insight:
COMEDK offers a great chance for students outside Karnataka to secure reputed engineering seats without high JEE cutoffs.

5. MET (Manipal Entrance Test)

Conducted by: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)
Mode: Online (CBT)Participating Institute: Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal

Overview:
MET is one of the oldest private university entrance exams, focusing on conceptual and analytical questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

OGcollege Insight:
MET’s moderate difficulty level makes it a strong alternative for students seeking Tier-1 infrastructure and global exposure.

Why Explore Exams Beyond JEE Main?

• More Opportunities: Increases your chances of admission to top institutes.
• Flexible Schedules: Many of these exams are conducted before or after JEE, allowing multiple attempts.
• Less Competition: Candidate volume is significantly lower than JEE Main.
• Specialized Programs: Institutes offer niche courses like AI, Robotics, and Data Science.

OGcollege Insight:
Diversifying your entrance exam options can be a strategic advantage — especially for students aiming for personalized learning environments and consistent placement performance.

Conclusion

While JEE Main remains the gateway to India’s premier engineering institutions, exams like BITSAT, VITEEE, SRMJEEE, COMEDK, and MET open up equally rewarding opportunities. Each of these exams caters to different academic strengths, ensuring every aspirant finds a suitable platform to build their engineering career.
Smart aspirants plan multiple pathways — focusing on JEE while strategically applying to 2–3 alternate exams to maximize success probability.

Verified Sources:

• Careers360 — Top Engineering Entrance Exams in India
• Shiksha — List of Engineering Exams Other Than JEE Main
• CollegeDekho — Top 10 Entrance Exams Other Than JEE