The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced exam dates for the Study Webs of Active-learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM) January 2026 semester. Exams will occur on June 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, 2026 .
Each examination session lasts three hours. Daily, two shifts will run: the first from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, and the second from 3 PM to 6 PM. The NTA designated June 22 and 23, 2026, as reserve dates. These dates will address any technical or administrative issues that may arise during the main exam period.
Registration for the SWAYAM January 2026 semester exams will commence soon. Applicants must register via the official NTA website, exams.nta.nic.in/swayam/. These exams cover 648 distinct courses. The assessment will follow a hybrid mode, integrating both Computer-Based Tests (CBT) and traditional Pen-and-Paper (P&P) evaluations. All question papers will be in English, with the exception of specific language papers which will be conducted in their respective languages.
SWAYAM January 2026 Exam Schedule
| Date | Shift 1 (9:30 AM – 12:30 PM) | Shift 2 (3 PM – 6 PM) |
|---|---|---|
| June 17, 2026 | Exam Session | Exam Session |
| June 18, 2026 | Exam Session | Exam Session |
| June 19, 2026 | Exam Session | Exam Session |
| June 20, 2026 | Exam Session | Exam Session |
| June 21, 2026 | Exam Session | Exam Session |
| June 22, 2026 | Reserve Date | Reserve Date |
| June 23, 2026 | Reserve Date | Reserve Date |
SWAYAM Exam Pattern Overview
The National Testing Agency has defined specific examination patterns for the SWAYAM January 2026 semester courses. These patterns vary based on the course’s structure and requirements. There are three primary paper formats for the 648 courses.
Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) Based Papers
Sixty-six papers will feature 100 multiple-choice questions. Each question in these papers carries one mark, totaling 100 marks. Additionally, 463 papers will comprise 50 multiple-choice questions. For these papers, each question is worth two marks, resulting in a total of 100 marks.
Hybrid Format Papers
Sixty-five papers will be conducted using a hybrid assessment model. This format integrates both Computer-Based Test (CBT) and Pen-and-Paper (P&P) components. Each hybrid paper contains a total of 35 questions across three sections.
- Section A: Consists of 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) administered via CBT. Each MCQ in this section is worth one mark.
- Section B: Includes 10 short-answer questions, requiring pen-and-paper responses. Each short-answer question carries three marks.
- Section C: Features 7 long-answer questions, also completed using pen and paper. Each long-answer question is allocated ten marks.
The NTA confirmed that no negative marking will apply for incorrect answers in any multiple-choice question format across all SWAYAM exams.
Important Next Steps for Students
Students intending to take the SWAYAM January 2026 semester exams must stay updated on the official NTA website. The registration window will open shortly. Candidates should review specific course details and exam patterns as soon as registration begins. This ensures preparation aligns with the assessment requirements for their chosen courses.