Exam Updates

Application Forms

An application is the least interesting part of a competitive exam and one of the more common places to lose a cycle. Forms are rejected for photograph specifications, mismatched details, certificates in the wrong format and payments that did not complete — none of which has anything to do with how well prepared you are.

Almost all of it is prevented by two habits: preparing your documents before the window opens, and applying early rather than on the final day.

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Exam updates · checked 19 September 2026

Application forms closing soon, from the official notices

Every deadline below was read on the conducting body’s own portal. Apply days before the close — the last day is when portals slow down and no commission grants an extension for it.

All open application formsLatest notificationsToday’s current affairs
21Sep 2026

Next deadline

Closing soonest

  1. 01
  2. 02

    SSC JE 2026 — 1,748 posts, applications close 22 September with no extension

    closes 22 SeptemberSSC JE 2026ssc.gov.in notices of 2 and 17 September 2026

  3. 03

    CAT 2026 registration extended to 22 September, 5 p.m. — no further extension

    closes 22 SeptemberCAT 2026iimcat.ac.in media release

  4. 04

Application forms open — checked 19 September 2026

Online application forms open now, soonest closing first

The first table is the deadline list: every application window still open on the date checked, in closing order, with its source. The second gives the full notice behind each. Apply days before the close — SSC’s 17 September notice on JE is the standard warning: heavy load on the last day, and no extension.

Board of application closings, examinations and a due result from 21 September to 31 October 2026: IBPS RRB, SSC JE, CAT, TNPSC Group 1 prelims, GATE, UIIC AO, SSC CPO, CGL Tier 1, NEET PG result, IBPS PO mains, ESE 2027, SSC CHSL, NMAT, IBPS Clerk prelims, IIT JAM, INI-CET, RRB Paramedical, UPSSSC PET, APPSC, RRB JE CBT 1, CLAT
Deadlines and dates, 19 September – 31 October 2026, from the conducting bodies’ notices.
Application windows open on 19 September 2026, soonest closing first.
ClosesExamWhat is openSource
21 SeptemberIBPS RRB XVIBPS RRB XV — 13,745 posts in the Regional Rural Banks, apply to 21 Septemberibps.in
22 SeptemberSSC JE 2026SSC JE 2026 — 1,748 posts, applications close 22 September with no extensionssc.gov.in notices of 2 and 17 September 2026
22 SeptemberCAT 2026CAT 2026 registration extended to 22 September, 5 p.m. — no further extensioniimcat.ac.in media release, 15 September 2026
25 SeptemberRRB JE CEN 04/2026RRB JE CEN 04/2026 — 3,993 posts plus 35 CMA; applications closed 13 September, modification window to 25 SeptemberRRB portal
27 SeptemberGATE 2027GATE 2027 registration closes 27 September (5 October with late fee)gate2027.iitm.ac.in
28 SeptemberUIIC AO 2026United India Insurance: Administrative Officers (Scale I) — apply to 28 Septemberuiic.co.in → Careers → Recruitment
30 SeptemberSSC CPO 2026SSC CPO 2026: Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and CAPFs — 2,018 posts, apply to 30 Septemberssc.gov.in notice board
6 OctoberUPSC ESE 2027UPSC notified Engineering Services 2027 — 480 vacancies, apply to 6 Octoberupsc.gov.in
7 OctoberSSC CHSL 2026SSC CHSL 2026 notified — about 2,536 posts, apply to 7 Octoberssc.gov.in notice board
10 OctoberNMAT 2026NMAT 2026 registration to 10 October; testing window 2 November – 20 Decembermba.com/nmat
12 OctoberIIT JAM 2027IIT JAM 2027 applications open on JOAPS to 12 Octoberjam.iitkgp.ac.in
13 OctoberINI-CET January 2027INI-CET January 2027 registration open to 13 October; exam 1 Novemberaiimsexams.ac.in
14 OctoberRRB Paramedical CEN 05/2026RRB CEN 05/2026 — 590 paramedical posts, apply 15 September – 14 OctoberRRB portal, CEN 05/2026 PDF
27 OctoberAPPSC Group-I and 19 othersAPPSC issued twenty brief notifications for 892 posts, Group-I among thempsc.ap.gov.in web note, 15 September 2026
31 OctoberCLAT 2027CLAT 2027 on 6 December — applications open to 31 Octoberconsortiumofnlus.ac.in
10 NovemberAILET 2027AILET 2027 on 13 December — applications to 10 Novembernationallawuniversitydelhi.in
25 NovemberSNAP 2026SNAP 2026 registration to 25 November for tests on 13, 19 and 26 Decembersnaptest.org
10 DecemberXAT 2027XAT 2027 registration to 10 December; test on 5 January 2027xatonline.in
Checked 19 September 2026 on the conducting bodies’ portals; each row names its source.
DateExamWhat was publishedSource
16–17 SeptemberAP Police SI, Constable, Firemen, WardersAP SLPRB issued seven police notifications for 2,197 posts; application dates to be announced. Six notifications of 16 September 2026 and one of 17 September: 378 Sub-Inspectors (Rc.No.81/2026 — SCT SI Civil 253, RSI AR 116, SI SPF 9), 1,156 Constables, Firemen and Warders (Rc.No.91/2026 — PC Civil 542, PC AR 285, Firemen 158, Warders 171), 200 PC Communications, 213 PC Drivers and Mechanics, 60 SI Communications and PTO, 43 FSL Scientific Assistants and 147 Driver Operators. Age on 1 July 2026 (SI 21–26, PC 18–23); fee ₹600 SI, ₹300 PC. Online application and preliminary-test dates follow by press release.slprb.ap.gov.in notifications and press notes of 16–17 September 2026
16 SeptemberUPSC ESE 2027UPSC notified Engineering Services 2027 — 480 vacancies, apply to 6 October. The Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination 2027 was notified on 16 September 2026 with 480 vacancies (Civil 199, Mechanical 85, Electrical 72, Electronics and Telecommunication 118; 19 PwBD). Applications run to 6 October 2026; fee ₹200, nil for women, SC, ST and PwBD; age 21–30 on 1 January 2027. Prelims 31 January 2027, mains 18 June 2027.upsc.gov.in
16 SeptemberINI-CET January 2027INI-CET January 2027 registration open to 13 October; exam 1 November. AIIMS opened online registration for the January 2027 session on 16 September 2026, closing 13 October (5 p.m.); registration status 17–19 October; final status and admit card 26 October; examination Sunday 1 November; result 7 November 2026.aiimsexams.ac.in
15 SeptemberAPPSC Group-I and 19 othersAPPSC issued twenty brief notifications for 892 posts, Group-I among them. Brief Notifications 07/2026 to 26/2026 under Andhra Pradesh’s 2026 job calendar: Group-I Services (07/2026) with 163 posts and applications tentatively 6–27 October; Assistant Statistical Officer 196 posts (13 October – 2 November); Executive Officer Grade-III 104; Industrial Promotion Officer 78; Hostel Welfare Officer 73; forest posts 73. Detailed notifications follow on or before each window opens.psc.ap.gov.in web note, 15 September 2026
15 SeptemberCAT 2026CAT 2026 registration extended to 22 September, 5 p.m. — no further extension. The IIMs’ media release of 15 September extended CAT 2026 registration from 17 to 22 September 2026 (5 p.m.). The test is on Sunday 29 November 2026 in three sessions in about 170 cities.iimcat.ac.in media release, 15 September 2026
to 25 NovemberSNAP 2026SNAP 2026 registration to 25 November for tests on 13, 19 and 26 December. Symbiosis has SNAP 2026 registration open to 25 November 2026 for three test dates — 13, 19 and 26 December — with the result on 12 January 2027; the 2026 bulletin adds a ten-question Ethics, Morality and Values section.snaptest.org
to 10 DecemberXAT 2027XAT 2027 registration to 10 December; test on 5 January 2027. XLRI has XAT 2027 registration open to 10 December 2026, with the examination on Tuesday 5 January 2027 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. and admit cards from 26 December.xatonline.in
14 SeptemberRRB Paramedical CEN 05/2026RRB CEN 05/2026 — 590 paramedical posts, apply 15 September – 14 October. Detailed CEN of 14 September 2026 after an indicative notice of 12 September: Nursing Superintendent 365, Pharmacist 118, Health and Malaria Inspector 43, Lab Assistant 31, Radiographer 25, ECG Technician 4, Optometrist 2, Dialysis Technician 1, Audiologist 1 — 590 in all. Applications 15 September – 14 October (23:59), fee to 16 October, modification 17–26 October; age on 1 January 2027.RRB portal, CEN 05/2026 PDF
11 SeptemberIIT JAM 2027IIT JAM 2027 applications open on JOAPS to 12 October. IIT Kharagpur opened the JAM 2027 application portal on 11 September 2026; it closes on 12 October. Examination Sunday 14 February 2027 in two sessions; results 18 March 2027.jam.iitkgp.ac.in
10 SeptemberSSC CPO 2026SSC CPO 2026: Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and CAPFs — 2,018 posts, apply to 30 September. Notice of 10 September 2026 with 2,018 tentative vacancies. Online applications 10–30 September (23:00), fee to 1 October, correction window 8–10 October; Paper 1 date to be notified (the calendar placed it in October–November).ssc.gov.in notice board
7 SeptemberSSC CHSL 2026SSC CHSL 2026 notified — about 2,536 posts, apply to 7 October. Notice of 7 September 2026 for the Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination with about 2,536 tentative vacancies. Applications 7 September – 7 October (23:00), fee to 8 October, corrections 14–16 October; Tier 1 and Tier 2 dates to be notified.ssc.gov.in notice board
7 SeptemberUIIC AO 2026United India Insurance: Administrative Officers (Scale I) — apply to 28 September. Notification HO:HRM:REC:AO:1:2026 of 7 September 2026 for Administrative Officers (Generalists and Hindi Officers), with the detailed advertisement, apply-online link and a grievance register on uiic.co.in. Registration closes 28 September 2026.uiic.co.in → Careers → Recruitment
2 SeptemberSSC JE 2026SSC JE 2026 — 1,748 posts, applications close 22 September with no extension. Notice of 2 September 2026 for Junior Engineer (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Telecom) and, for the first time, Scientific Assistant in IMD. Applications to 22 September (23:00), fee to 23 September, corrections 28–30 September; Paper 1 tentatively October–November and Paper 2 December. A notice of 17 September rules out any extension.ssc.gov.in notices of 2 and 17 September 2026
2 SeptemberGATE 2027GATE 2027 registration closes 27 September (5 October with late fee). GOAPS at gate2027.iitm.ac.in opened on 2 September 2026. Regular registration to 27 September; extended window with late fee to 5 October; rectification 14–21 October. Examinations 6–7, 13–14 and 20–21 February 2027; results 19 March 2027.gate2027.iitm.ac.in
1 SeptemberIBPS RRB XVIBPS RRB XV — 13,745 posts in the Regional Rural Banks, apply to 21 September. Notification of 1 September 2026 for Officers Scale I, II and III and Office Assistants; vacancy annexure updated on 9 and 15 September, total unchanged at 13,745 (8,222 Office Assistants, 4,256 Officers Scale I, 1,047 Scale II, 220 Scale III). Registration and fee 1–21 September 2026.ibps.in
20 AugustNMAT 2026NMAT 2026 registration to 10 October; testing window 2 November – 20 December. GMAC opened NMAT 2026 registration on 20 August 2026; it closes on 10 October with scheduling open to 22 October. Candidates book a slot in the 2 November – 20 December window; up to three attempts, best score counted.mba.com/nmat
13 AugustRRB JE CEN 04/2026RRB JE CEN 04/2026 — 3,993 posts plus 35 CMA; applications closed 13 September, modification window to 25 September. Published 13 August 2026 for Junior Engineer and Depot Material Superintendent; corrigendum of 18 August added 35 Chemical and Metallurgical Assistant posts. Applications ran 14 August – 13 September; the modification window runs to 25 September. CBT 1 fixed for 27, 28 and 30 October by the notice of 16 September.RRB portal
7 AugustAILET 2027AILET 2027 on 13 December — applications to 10 November. NLU Delhi opened AILET 2027 applications on 7 August 2026 with the last date 10 November; admit cards on 30 November and the test on Sunday 13 December 2026, 2–4 p.m.nationallawuniversitydelhi.in
22 JulyCLAT 2027CLAT 2027 on 6 December — applications open to 31 October. The Consortium of NLUs fixed CLAT 2027 for Sunday 6 December 2026, 2–4 p.m., with the online application open from 3 August to 31 October 2026 (11:59 p.m.); fee ₹4,000 (₹3,500 SC, ST, BPL, PwD).consortiumofnlus.ac.in

Exam guides for the updates above

AP Police SI, Constable, Firemen, Warders — exam guide UPSC ESE 2027 — exam guide INI-CET January 2027 — exam guide APPSC Group-I and 19 others — exam guide CAT 2026 — exam guide SNAP 2026 — exam guide XAT 2027 — exam guide RRB Paramedical CEN 05/2026 — exam guide IIT JAM 2027 — exam guide SSC CPO 2026 — exam guide

Before the window opens

What to have ready

  • A photograph and signature in the specified format — dimensions, file size, background and sometimes a date requirement. Specifications differ between examinations and are enforced.
  • Educational certificates — with the details exactly as they appear, since a mismatch between your form and your certificate can cause rejection at verification.
  • Category and other certificates — in the prescribed format and within any validity period specified. This is one of the more common causes of rejection.
  • Identity documents — with the name spelled as it will appear on your application and admit card.
  • A means of payment that will work — and a record of the transaction, since incomplete payments leave applications unsubmitted.

Common errors

What actually causes rejection

  1. Apply early in the window, not on the last day. Portals slow or fail under load near the deadline, and a failed submission at that point cannot be retried.
  2. Check every field before final submission. Name spelling, date of birth, category and post preferences. Some of these cannot be changed afterwards.
  3. Use the correction window if one is provided. It is the only opportunity to fix an error, and it is short.
  4. Save the confirmation and the payment record. Both are needed if a dispute arises about whether the application was submitted.
  5. Print the submitted form. Some examinations require it at later stages, and it is the record of what you actually declared.

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Questions

Application Forms — FAQs

Which application forms close this week and next?

IBPS RRB XV closes on 21 September 2026; SSC JE 2026 and CAT 2026 on 22 September (CAT at 5 p.m.); GATE 2027 regular registration on 27 September (5 October with late fee); UIIC AO on 28 September; SSC CPO 2026 on 30 September. In the first fortnight of October: UPSC ESE 2027 on 6 October, SSC CHSL 2026 on 7 October, NMAT on 10 October, IIT JAM 2027 on 12 October and INI-CET January 2027 on 13 October. Each row above links to the exam guide with the fee, the documents and the correction window.

What are the most common reasons an application is rejected?

Photographs and signatures that do not meet the specified dimensions, file size or format; a mismatch between the details entered and those on the supporting certificates; category certificates in the wrong format or outside a specified validity period; and payments that did not complete, leaving the application unsubmitted. None of these relates to preparation, and almost all are prevented by assembling documents before the window opens and applying early.

Why should I apply early rather than on the last day?

Because application portals slow down and sometimes fail under load near a deadline, and a submission that fails at that point cannot be retried. Applying early also leaves time to notice and correct an error, to resolve a payment problem, and to obtain a certificate you discover you need. A missed application window costs a full cycle, and it is one of the few losses in this process that is entirely within your control to prevent.

Can I correct a mistake after submitting the form?

Only if a correction window is provided, and only within it. Many examinations offer a short window during which specified fields can be edited, sometimes for a fee, and it is the single opportunity to fix an error. Some fields — category or post preferences in certain examinations — may not be editable even then. The safe approach is to check every field carefully before final submission and to treat the correction window as a safety net rather than a plan.

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