NCHM JEE (Hotel Management Entrance Exam)

📋 National Testing Agency (NTA)

The National Testing Agency is:
• An autonomous organization under the Ministry of Education
• Established under the Societies Registration Act, 1860
• Responsible for conducting transparent and standardized national-level examinations

Role of NTA:
• Conduct NCHM JEE 2026
• Evaluate responses
• Release answer key & results
• Share scores with NCHMCT

🏢 National Council for Hotel Management & Catering Technology (NCHMCT)

The National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology is an autonomous body established in 1982 under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, with the responsibility of centrally regulating and coordinating hospitality education in the country.

The Council functions as the apex body for academic standards, curriculum development, and overall administration of professional programmes in the field of hospitality and hotel management.

🏫 Institutional Network

The institutes affiliated with NCHMCT operate under a standardized academic framework prescribed by the Council. These include:

• 21 Central Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs)
• 33 State Government Institutes of Hotel Management
• 01 Public Sector Undertaking Institute
• 02 Institutes operating under Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
• 25 Private Institutes of Hotel Management

All affiliated institutes follow uniform course curricula and training standards to ensure consistency in hospitality education across the country.

🎓 Academic Structure & Programmes

Through its affiliated institutions, NCHMCT offers 11 structured professional programmes, leading to:
• Certificate
• Diploma
• Post Graduate Diploma
• Bachelor Degree
• Master Degree

The flagship programme offered under the Council is:
• B.Sc. (Hospitality & Hotel Administration)

This programme is offered by NCHMCT and recognized by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

📚 Academic & Training Framework

The Council ensures that the programmes impart:
• Standardized curriculum across institutes
• Practical-oriented training in hospitality operations
• Professional skills required for industry roles

Training includes development in areas such as:
• Food Production
• Food & Beverage Service
• Rooms Division
• Hospitality Management functions

👥 Role in Human Resource Development & Admissions

NCHMCT plays a significant role in developing skilled manpower for the hospitality and allied service sectors.
• The Council has trained more than one lakh hospitality professionals, including Managers, Executives, and Operational staff
• Graduates occupy key positions in hospitality industry and allied sectors in India and abroad

Role in Admissions:
• Admission to the B.Sc. (HHA) programme is conducted through NCHM JEE
• NCHMCT is responsible for: Admission process, Counselling, Seat allocation
• Ensures uniform academic standards and coordinated growth of hospitality education

🎓 Programme Details

The B.Sc. (Hospitality & Hotel Administration) is a professional undergraduate programme designed to develop operational and managerial competencies required in the hospitality and service industry.

• Duration: 3 Years (Six Semesters)
• Extended Option: As per the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, there may be an option for a 4th year leading to an Honours Degree

The programme is structured to provide a balanced combination of: Theoretical knowledge, Practical training, and Managerial inputs. It involves in-depth laboratory and practical work to ensure that students acquire the required operational skills and professional standards.

🍽️ Core Operational Areas

Food Production:
• Preparation and cooking techniques
• Kitchen operations and management

Food & Beverage Service:
• Service standards
• Restaurant and hospitality service operations

Rooms Division:
• Front office operations
• Housekeeping and accommodation management

📊 Managerial & Functional Areas

In addition to operational training, the programme provides managerial inputs in key areas such as:

• Hospitality Marketing
• Financial Management
• Human Resource Management
• Revenue Management
• Facility Planning Management

📋 Admission Framework

• Admission to the B.Sc. (HHA) programme is conducted exclusively through NCHM JEE 2026
• The examination acts as a centralized selection mechanism
• Scores obtained in NCHM JEE are used by all affiliated institutes for admission

✔ Thus, qualifying in NCHM JEE is mandatory for candidates seeking admission into the programme.

📊 Category-wise Distribution of Institutes

🔑 Key Observations & Institutional Framework

• The Central IHMs (22) represent premier government-run institutions directly under the central framework
• 1 PSU-run institute (Ashok IHTM, Delhi) operates under a public sector undertaking
• State IHMs (32) are managed by respective state governments but follow NCHMCT academic standards
• Private IHMs (25) are affiliated institutes adhering to standardized curriculum and admission norms
• All 80 institutes collectively accept NCHM JEE scores for admission to the B.Sc. (HHA) programme

All institutes operate under a standardized curriculum prescribed by NCHMCT ensuring: Uniform academic standards, Centralized merit-based admission, and Nationwide accessibility of hospitality education.

📅 Application & Important Dates (Final Revised)

📌 As per revised extension notice

💻 Examination Mode & Conduct

🪪 Admit Card – Detailed Instructions

Nature of Admit Card:
• Issued provisionally to candidates
• Subject to fulfillment of eligibility conditions
• Does not confirm final eligibility

Mode of Availability:
• Available only online
• Will NOT be sent by post

Candidate Responsibilities:
• Must download from official website
• Must carefully read all instructions
• Must preserve admit card for future reference

Restrictions & Compliance:
• Admit Card must not be mutilated or altered
• Any tampering may lead to disqualification

Discrepancy Handling:
• Helpline: 011-40759000
• Email: nchm@nta.ac.in

⚠️ Issuance of Admit Card does not imply acceptance of eligibility. Eligibility is verified during admission stages.

📍 Exam City Intimation Slip – Official Clarification

Nature of City Slip:
• It is NOT an Admit Card
• Only provides: Allotted exam city and Location awareness

Purpose:
• Helps candidates plan travel
• Provides advance information of exam centre city

Download Process:
• Download using: Application Number and Password

Important Notes:
• Does not allow entry to exam
• Admit Card will be issued separately

Candidate Advisory:
• Regularly check official websites for updates
• Contact NTA in case of issues

📊 Examination Pattern

✅ Marking Scheme & Medium

Marking Scheme:
• ✔ Correct Answer: +4
• ❌ Incorrect Answer: –1
• ➖ Unattempted: 0

Medium of Exam:
• English
• Hindi
⚠️ English version final in case of ambiguity

📚 Educational Qualification Requirements

Minimum Qualification:
Candidates must have:
• Passed the 10+2 system of Senior Secondary Examination or its equivalent
• From a recognized educational board
• With English as one of the subjects (core/elective/functional)

✔ It is mandatory that the candidate has studied and passed English in the qualifying examination.

Eligibility of Appearing Candidates:
• Candidates appearing in the 10+2 or equivalent examination in 2026 are also eligible to apply
• Such candidates will be considered for provisional admission

⚠️ Provisional admission will be cancelled if the candidate fails to provide proof of passing the qualifying examination – latest by 30 September 2026

📋 Accepted Equivalent Qualifications

Recognized Boards in India:
• Senior Secondary (10+2) examination conducted by Central Boards (e.g., CBSE, CISCE) or State Boards

Other Recognized Qualifications:
• Intermediate or two-year Pre-University Examination conducted by a recognized Board/University
• General Certificate Education (GCE) Examination (London/Cambridge/Sri Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level
• High School Certificate Examination of Cambridge University

International / Equivalent Qualifications:
• Any public school, board or university examination recognized by COBSE or AIU

Open Schooling Qualifications:
• Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by NIOS or State Open School Boards
• Must have minimum 5 subjects including English

Vocational Qualifications:
• Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Vocational Examination approved by NCVT or SCVT

⏰ Age Limit & Physical Fitness

Age Limit:
• There is no age restriction for appearing in NCHM JEE 2026
• As per the provisions aligned with NEP, candidates of any age who fulfill the eligibility criteria can apply

Physical Fitness Requirement:
• All candidates who qualify for admission must submit a Physical Fitness Certificate
• Certificate must be issued by a Registered Medical Practitioner
• Must confirm that the candidate is fit to undertake practical classes and perform activities required in the course
• Submission is mandatory at the time of admission

⚠️ Document Verification & Important Notes

Admission is subject to verification of:
• Original academic certificates
• Category certificates (if applicable)
• PwD certificates (if applicable)

⚠️ If a candidate is found ineligible at any stage due to non-submission of valid documents or submission of false/incorrect information → Their admission will be cancelled, even if already admitted.

Important Eligibility Notes:
• Any discrepancy or false information may lead to: Disqualification from examination and Cancellation of admission at any stage

📊 Reservation in Central Government Institutions

⚠️ Important Notes:
• OBC reservation is applicable only to candidates listed in the Central OBC-NCL list
• Candidates belonging to State OBC lists but not included in the Central list are not eligible under OBC-NCL category
• EWS reservation is governed by Government of India guidelines and official memoranda

♿ PwD / PwBD Reservation Policy

Reservation Provision:
• 5% horizontal reservation is provided for candidates with disabilities
• Applicable across all categories

Eligibility:
• Candidates must have Benchmark Disability (PwBD)
• Disability must be 40% or more
• Must be certified by a competent medical authority

Functional Requirements:
Candidates claiming PwD/PwBD must be capable of performing: Food preparation and cooking activities, Bakery and confectionery operations, Food and beverage service, Housekeeping operations such as cleaning, bed making, and maintenance, Handling equipment like vacuum cleaners and machines, Basic computer operations and reservation systems

🤝 Facilities for PwD Candidates

Scribe Facility:
• Candidates may bring their own scribe, OR request NTA to provide a scribe
• Scribe assists in reading questions and entering responses
• Scribe cannot explain or solve questions

Compensatory Time:
• Minimum 20 minutes per hour of examination

⚠️ No change in PwD status is allowed after submission of application form or declaration of result

🏔️ Special Reservation Provisions

Kashmiri Migrants / Kashmiri Pandits:
• One seat per Central Institute is reserved on a supernumerary basis for: Kashmiri Migrants and Kashmiri Pandits / Kashmiri Hindu families (non-migrants) residing in Kashmir Valley

Eligibility Conditions:
• Candidates must qualify NCHM JEE 2026
• Must upload relevant certificate during application: Migration certificate (for migrants) or Domicile certificate (for non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits)
• Original documents must be produced at: Counselling stage and Admission stage

Reservation in State Government Institutions:
• For Institutes run, aided or recognized by State Governments: Reservation policy of the respective State Government will apply

🗺️ Selection of Examination Cities

Candidates appearing for NCHM JEE 2026 are required to select their preferred examination cities while filling the online application form.

• It is mandatory for candidates to select four cities of their choice
• Cities must be selected carefully in order of preference
• The list of examination cities is provided in the official Information Bulletin (Annexure–VII)

Basis of Allotment:
• Efforts will be made to allot the examination centre based on the order of preference selected by the candidate
• The allocation considers: Availability of exam centres, Administrative feasibility, and Logistics and infrastructure
✔ Candidates are generally allotted one of their preferred cities wherever possible

⚠️ Administrative Constraints & Final Allotment

⚠️ Due to administrative or logistical reasons:
• A candidate may be allotted a different city
• The allotted city may be in a nearby location instead of the preferred choices
• This decision is taken by NTA and is final

Change in Exam City:
• Once the application form is submitted and the correction window is closed: The allotted examination city cannot be changed
• No request for change of city will be entertained under any circumstances

Important Instructions:
• Candidates must exercise utmost care while selecting exam cities
• Candidates are advised to choose cities close to their residence and easily accessible for travel
• The allotment of examination city is final and binding

💳 Application Fee Structure

Mode of Payment:
The application fee must be paid online only through the integrated payment gateway. Accepted payment modes include: Debit Card, Credit Card (except Master/Visa Card as specified), Net Banking, Unified Payment Interface (UPI), Wallet

⚠️ Important Fee Instructions & Refund Policy

• The application form will be considered complete only after successful payment of the prescribed fee
• The confirmation page of the application form is generated only after successful transaction
• Candidates must retain proof of fee payment for future reference

Additional Charges:
• Applicable service charges / processing fees / GST are charged by the respective bank or payment gateway – over and above the examination fee

Payment Failure & Duplicate Payment:
• If confirmation page is not generated after payment: Candidates should contact the concerned bank/payment gateway
• Any duplicate payment made by the candidate will be: Refunded by NTA through the same payment mode after reconciliation

Refund Policy:
• No request for refund of application fee will be entertained once the fee is successfully paid
• If fee payment is not completed: Application will remain incomplete and will be rejected without any further communication

📝 Step-by-Step Application Procedure

Step 1: Registration
• Candidates must register using: Valid Email ID and Active Mobile Number
• Upon successful registration: A system-generated Application Number is created
• Only one email ID and mobile number can be used per application

Step 2: Application Form Filling
• Fill complete application form with: Personal details, Contact details and address, Category and PwD status, Educational qualification details, Choice of examination cities
⚠️ All details entered will be treated as final. NTA does not edit or modify any information provided

Step 3: Uploading of Documents
• Recent passport-size photograph (10 KB–200 KB, 80% face visible, white background)
• Candidate's signature (10 KB–100 KB, full signature in running handwriting)
• PwD certificate (if applicable)
• Category certificate (if applicable)
⚠️ Unclear or incorrect uploads may lead to rejection. Fabricated or morphed images will be treated as unfair means

Step 4: Fee Payment
• Fee must be paid through the online payment gateway
• Application is considered complete only after payment

Step 5: Confirmation Page
• After successful payment: A Confirmation Page is generated
• Candidates must download and print the confirmation page
⚠️ If confirmation page is not generated, the application is incomplete and will be rejected

🔄 Correction Window & Important Instructions

Correction Period: Available from 02 April to 04 April 2026

Key Features of Correction Window:
• Correction allowed only through online mode
• Candidates can modify selected details in the application form
• This is a one-time facility provided by NTA
• Corrections must be made within the specified time period
• Requests through Post, Email, Fax, or Hand submission will not be entertained
• After correction window closes: The application form details will be treated as final
• No further changes will be permitted under any circumstances

Important Application Instructions:
• Entire process is online only
• Candidates are not required to send any documents to NTA
• Candidates must use their own email ID and mobile number
• All communication will be sent via: Registered email and SMS
• NTA will not be responsible for incorrect details entered by candidate

Critical Notes:
• Application without fee payment will be rejected
• Multiple applications will lead to cancellation

📋 Admission Flow (Multi-Stage)

Stage 1: Entrance Examination
• Candidates appear for NCHM JEE 2026 conducted by NTA in CBT mode

Stage 2: Result Declaration
• Result is prepared based on the final answer key
• Candidates can download their scorecards from the official website

Stage 3: Score Transfer
• NTA shares the NCHM JEE scores with NCHMCT

Stage 4: Counselling Process
• Counselling is conducted by NCHMCT
• Candidates are considered for admission based on their NCHM JEE rank

Stage 5: Seat Allotment
• Based on: Merit (rank in NCHM JEE), Category (if applicable), Availability of seats

Stage 6: Document Verification
• Candidates must produce original documents: Academic certificates, Category certificates, PwD certificates
⚠️ Failure to produce valid documents leads to cancellation of admission

Stage 7: Fee Payment
• Candidates allotted seats must pay the prescribed institute fee

Stage 8: Admission Confirmation
• Admission is confirmed only after: Successful document verification, Eligibility validation, Fee payment
✔ Final admission is granted by the respective institute under NCHMCT

⚠️ Important Admission Rules

Non-Automatic Admission:
• Merely appearing in or qualifying NCHM JEE 2026 does not guarantee admission
• Admission is subject to fulfillment of all prescribed conditions

Mandatory Conditions for Admission:
• ✔ Must meet educational qualification requirements and passed 10+2 with English
• ✔ Admission is based on rank in merit list derived from NCHM JEE score
• ✔ Candidates must submit a physical fitness certificate and be medically fit

Additional Admission Conditions:
• Admission is provisional until verification is complete
• If a candidate is found ineligible at any stage: Admission will be cancelled
• Providing false or incorrect information will result in: Disqualification and Cancellation of admission

Result Policy:
• Result is based on final answer key
• No provision for: Re-evaluation, Rechecking, Re-totaling
• Scores are final and binding

Final Admission Authority:
• National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology
• Affiliated Institutes of Hotel Management

📊 Selection Basis & Merit List

The merit list is prepared using the NCHM JEE score, which serves as the primary criterion for ranking candidates.

NCHM JEE Score:
• The selection process is primarily based on the raw marks obtained by the candidate in NCHM JEE 2026
• The result is prepared based on the final answer key released after resolving challenges
✔ The NCHM JEE score acts as the central and uniform evaluation parameter for all candidates

Merit List Preparation:
• Merit list is prepared based on candidate's performance and final evaluated score
• Ranking determined in descending order of marks obtained
✔ Higher score → Higher rank → Better chances of admission

📋 Final Admission Criteria & Rules

✔ Merit Rank: Higher-ranked candidates are given preference during seat allotment

✔ Seat Availability: Admission is subject to availability of seats in Central IHMs, State IHMs, and other affiliated institutes

✔ Document Verification: Candidates must produce valid original documents including educational certificates, category certificates, and PwD certificates. Failure to produce valid documents → Disqualification and Cancellation of admission

Important Selection Rules:
• Selection is purely merit-based on NCHM JEE score
• Admission is not automatic upon qualifying the exam

Validity of Result:
• The NCHM JEE 2026 result is valid only for the academic session 2026–27
• Scores cannot be carried forward to subsequent years

No Re-evaluation Policy:
• There is no provision for rechecking or re-evaluation of the result
• The score declared by NTA is final and binding

📝 Stage 1: Application Phase

Step 1 → Registration
• Candidate registers online using: Valid Email ID and Mobile Number
• System generates Application Number

Step 2 → Application Form Filling
• Candidate fills: Personal details, Academic details, Category and PwD status, Choice of exam cities

Step 3 → Upload of Documents
• Upload scanned images of: Photograph, Signature, Category/PwD certificate (if applicable)

Step 4 → Fee Payment
• Pay application fee through online payment gateway
• Payment via: Card / Net Banking / UPI / Wallet

Step 5 → Confirmation Page
• Generated after successful payment
• Application considered complete only after this step
⚠️ If payment is not completed, application is rejected

🎫 Stage 2: Pre-Examination Phase

Exam City Intimation Slip
• Released before admit card
• Provides advance information about allotted exam city
• Not valid for entry into exam hall

Admit Card Download
• Download from official website
• Issued provisionally
• Must be carried to exam centre

Final Preparation
• Verify exam centre details
• Check instructions and required documents

✍️ Stage 3: Examination Phase

Appear for Examination
• Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT)
• Duration: 120 minutes
• Candidates appear at allotted centre and time

Response Capture
• Candidate responses are recorded digitally during the exam

🔑 Stage 4: Answer Key & Evaluation Phase

Display of Recorded Responses
• NTA displays candidate responses on official website

Provisional Answer Key
• Released for candidates
• Challenge window provided
• Candidates can challenge by paying ₹200 per question

Final Answer Key
• Prepared after expert review of challenges
• Used for result computation

📊 Stage 5: Result Declaration Phase

Result Announcement
• Declared on official website
• Based on final answer key

Scorecard Download
• Candidates download their scorecards
• Raw marks used for merit preparation
✔ No re-evaluation allowed

🏨 Stages 6–8: Counselling & Admission Phase

Stage 6: Centralized Counselling
• Conducted by NCHMCT
• Candidates participate based on NCHM JEE rank
✔ NTA does not conduct counselling

Stage 7: Seat Allotment
• Based on: Merit rank, Category, Seat availability

Document Verification
• Candidates must produce original documents
• Includes academic and category certificates

Fee Payment
• Candidates must pay institute fees to confirm seat

Stage 8: Final Admission Confirmation
• After: Successful document verification, Eligibility validation, and Fee payment
✔ Candidate is officially enrolled in the B.Sc. (HHA) programme