This week in admissions, exams and study abroad – 19 to 25 October 2026

In short: A busy week. The JEE Main 2027 form opened, four other forms close by 31 October, and NEET PG students got their first-round seats. Abroad, the UK, US, Canada and Australia all had news that changes the cost or the plan for Indian students. Here is the week in one place, and what is coming next.

India this week

• JEE Main 2027 forms are open. NTA opened Session 1 on 24 October. The last date is 22 November (late window to 26 November with ₹500 extra), and the exam is on 20 to 24 and 28 January 2027. Our full guide: JEE Main 2027 Session 1.
• NEET PG Round 1 seats are out. MCC posted the provisional result on 23 October and the final allotment on 24 October. Students who got a seat must report between 26 October and 2 November. Round 2 registration runs from 6 to 11 November. What to do next.
• UGC NET December 2026 closes on 28 October at 11:50 pm, with a late window to 31 October (₹500 extra). The exam is on 14 to 18 and 21 December. Details.
• CLAT 2027 forms close on 31 October at 11:59 pm. The law entrance is on 6 December, 2 pm to 4 pm. Details.
• UCEED 2027, the IIT design entrance, closes at the normal fee on 31 October. The late-fee window ends on 6 November at 5 pm. The exam is on 17 January 2027. Details.
• Scholarship forms on the National Scholarship Portal close on 31 October for the renewal schemes listed there. Institutes must verify by 15 November. One-week checklist.

Study abroad this week

• UK: the bank balance for a Student visa goes up on 30 November. Living costs rise to £1,570 a month in London (from £1,529) and £1,203 elsewhere (from £1,171). Applications made before 30 November are judged on the old amounts. Details.
• US: a proposed OPT fee. The US has proposed $70,000 for a student's first OPT work permit and $30,000 for each later one. It is only a proposal; public comments close on 9 November. Details.
• Canada: Express Entry points change on 3 November. Canadian work experience and jobs in high-wage occupations will count for much more (up to 150 points), and job offers no longer need an LMIA. Work done while studying still does not count. Details.
• Australia: new Student visa rules since 2 October. Most applicants can no longer include a partner or children, and many must apply from outside Australia. Details.

Coming up in the next two weeks

Date	What	Official page
26 Oct – 2 Nov	NEET PG Round 1: report to the allotted college	MCC
28 Oct, 11:50 pm	UGC NET form closes (late window 29–31 Oct)	NTA UGC NET
31 Oct	CLAT 2027 form closes (11:59 pm)	Consortium of NLUs
31 Oct	UCEED 2027, last day at the normal fee	UCEED, IIT Bombay
31 Oct	NSP student applications close	National Scholarship Portal
2 – 4 Nov	UGC NET form correction	NTA UGC NET
3 Nov	Canada's new Express Entry points start	IRCC
6 Nov, 5 pm	UCEED late-fee window ends	UCEED, IIT Bombay
6 – 11 Nov	NEET PG Round 2 registration	MCC
9 Nov	Last day for comments on the US OPT fee proposal	Federal Register

For students this week

1. Finish anything due on 31 October first. CLAT, UCEED and NSP all close that day, and UGC NET closes three days earlier. Portals slow down near the deadline, so aim to submit by Thursday.
2. Start the JEE Main form, but don't rush it. There are four weeks. Read the bulletin, keep your Class 10 certificate open, and fill it yourself in one sitting.
3. NEET PG seat holders: report on time with your original documents. Missing the window can cost you the seat.
4. Thinking of going abroad? This week's news points one way: pick a course for the job it leads to, not only for the country.

For parents this week

• Keep the fee money ready. Several forms close in the same week. Pay only on the official sites linked above, and keep every receipt.
• Check names and dates of birth. They should match across the Class 10 certificate, Aadhaar and any category certificate before forms go in.
• Re-check abroad budgets. The UK bank proof rises on 30 November. Plan the US on today's rules, with the OPT fee as a risk, not a certainty. For Canada and Australia, treat staying on after study as a hope, not a promise.
• Ignore anyone selling a "sure" route. No agent can guarantee a seat, a visa or permanent residence.

Sources

All checked on 25 October 2026.

• NTA, JEE (Main) 2027 Session 1 public notice and JEE Main website
• NTA, UGC-NET December 2026 Information Bulletin (updated 16 October)
• MCC, PG All India Quota schedule 2026, PG Medical Counselling and Current Events PG
• Consortium of NLUs, CLAT 2027 press release
• IIT Bombay, UCEED 2027 important dates
• National Scholarship Portal announcements
• GOV.UK, Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules HC 584 and Student visa: money you need
• US Federal Register, Optional Practical Training Fees, proposed rule
• IRCC, 2026 changes to points for Canadian work experience and job offers
• Australian Department of Home Affairs, Changes to Student visa applications fact sheet

Dates can change. Confirm on the official website before you pay or apply.

If a calm look at the months ahead would help, more on easyapply.in.