CMI Entrance Exam 2026 notification will be released in the month of February 2026 on the official website. Recently, the exam officials have announced the  CMI Entrance Exam Application Form 2026 release date. Interested candidates will be able to fill out the registration form from around March 1, 2026.

Candidates who wish to pursue their UG or PG degree in Mathematics or Computer Science must check out the CMI exam 2026 eligibility criteria meticulously to not lose their candidature at any stage during the admission process.

CMI Entrance Exam 2026 is anticipated to be conducted in the fourth week of May 2026 at various exam centres across the nation. Candidates must adhere to the CMI entrance exam 2026 syllabus in order to ace the exam. Exam officials will test the candidates' domain knowledge as per the mentioned CMI entrance exam pattern 2026.

Check out the complete insight on the CMI Entrance Exam, like application form, important dates, pattern, syllabus, cut-off and counselling details in this SciAstra exam page.

Table of Contents

What is CMI Entrance Exam?

The CMI Entrance Exam is conducted annually by the Chennai Mathematical Institute to provide admission to undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programmes. CMI is recognised as one of India’s premier institutions for higher education and research in mathematics, computer science, and data science.

At the undergraduate level, the CMI exam is primarily held for admission into the BSc Hons in Mathematics and Computer Science and BSc Hons in Mathematics and Physics programmes. For the PG level, the exam is conducted to provide admission in MSc in Mathematics, MSc in Computer Science, and MSc in Data Science. In addition to above mentioned courses, CMI also admits students to its PhD programmes.

The CMI Entrance Exam will test candidates' domain subjects in the form of objective and descriptive questions. While objective questions test quick analytical thinking, the descriptive section evaluates the candidate’s ability to present logical, well-structured solutions.

What are the CMI Entrance Exam Dates 2026?

CMI Entrance exam is anticipated to be conducted in the fourth week of May 2026, tentatively. Candidates can check out the complete schedule of the admission process from here:

Events

Dates

CMI Entrance Exam 2026 Application Form

March 1, 2026

CMI Entrance Exam 2026 Admit Card

Fourth Week of April 2026

CMI Entrance Exam 2026

Third week of May 2026

CMI Entrance Exam 2026 Answer Key

First Week of June 2026

CMI Entrance Exam 2026 Results

Second Week of June 2026

Courses Offered by CMI Entrance Exam

Candidates who wish to pursue their undergraduate degree from Chennai Mathematical Institute can check out the list of courses offered by the institute from here:

  • BSc (Hons) in Mathematics and Computer Science (3-year course).

  • BSc (Hons) in Mathematics and Physics (3-year course).

  • MSc in Mathematics.

  • MSc in Computer Science.

  • MSc in Data Science.

  • PhD in Mathematics.

  • PhD in Computer Science.

  • PhD in Physics.

Also Read: CMI Placements: Know Package Here 

CMI Entrance Exam 2026 Application Form

CMI registration form 2026 will be released online from March 1, 2026, onwards (Tentatively). Students who are Class 12 droppers and appearing will be able to fill out the application form in the timeline mentioned by the exam officials. Before filling out the form, candidates are advised to check the CMI 2026 eligibility criteria. The final submission of the application form will be done by paying the CMI entrance exam 2026 registration fee ie., INR 1000 via net banking/UPI/Credit card.

Every year, there is a common entrance examination for both the BSc (Hons) programmes. Candidates need to select their course at the time of applying. The choice can be made after admission

CMI Entrance Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026

For a candidate to appear for the exam, fulfilling the minimum eligibility criteria mentioned by the exam officials is a must. If a candidate fails to meet the eligibility requirements at any stage of the admission process, their candidature is liable to be cancelled.

Check out the course-wise CMI exam 2026 eligibility criteria from here:

Course

Eligibility Criteria

BSc (Hons) Mathematics and Computer Science

Candidates will be required to pass their Class 12th standard or equivalent

BSc (Hons.) Mathematics and Physics

Candidates will be required to pass their Class 12th standard or equivalent

BSc (Hons) Mathematics and Computer Science

Candidates will be required to pass their Class 12th standard or equivalent

BSc (Hons) Mathematics and Physics

Candidates will be required to pass their Class 12th standard or equivalent

MSc in Mathematics:

Candidates will be required to pass their undergraduate degree (BA, BSc, BE, BTech) with a strong background in mathematics.

MSc in Computer Science

Candidates will be required to pass their undergraduate degree (BA, BSc, BE, BTech) with a strong background in computer science

MSc in Data Science

Candidates will be required to pass their undergraduate degree (BA, BSc, BE, BTech,) with a background in mathematics /statistics /computer science.

PhD in Mathematics:

Applicants need to pass BE /BTech /BSc(Math) /MSc(Math).

PhD in Computer Science:

Applicants need to pass BE /BTech/ MSc(CS)/MCA

PhD in Physics:

Candidates need to pass MSc(Physics)

CMI Entrance Exam Pattern 2026: UG Courses

The exam pattern for UG courses is dynamic. There will be a set of 2 sections, Part A and Part B, where Part A will have Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions, problems, MCQ and true and false statements. Part B will be subjective questions.

Check out the number of questions in each section from here.

Part

Number of Questions

Marks

Part A

21 Questions

40 Marks

Part B

6 Questions

80 Marks

Total Marks

120 Marks

NOTE: Candidates must note that in Part A, the number of questions and type of questions will vary, but the total marks of Part A will remain the same. Based on the previous year's trends, it has been observed that the NAT and True/False are types of questions that are usually asked by exam officials for Part A.

CMI Entrance Exam Syllabus 2026

The CMI Entrance Exam 2026 Syllabus will be released by the exam officials on the official website. Test takers planning to get admission to the offered courses at CMI must prepare well through the mentioned syllabus PDF.

The CMI 2026 session notification is yet to be released by the exam officials. Candidates can check out the CMI entrance exam 2025 syllabus below:

Course Name

Syllabus PDF

BSc Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science

Download Now

MSc/PhD Computer Science

Download Now

MSc Mathematics

Download Now

MSc Data Science

Download Now

CMI Entrance Exam Admit Card

Candidates whose application forms have been successfully submitted will be able to download the CMI Admit Card 2026 in PDF format from the official website. Based on the previous year’s trends, the CMI entrance exam hall ticket 2026 is expected to be released in the fourth week of April 2026.

The CMI entrance exam 2026 admit card will provide candidates with details such as the examination venue, exam shift timings, reporting time, roll number, and other important information. Test takers will not be allowed to enter the examination hall or appear for the exam without carrying their admit card

CMI Entrance Exam 2026 Shift Timings

Check out the shift timings for the CMI entrance exam 2026 for various courses from here:

Course Name

Shift Timings

MSc/PhD Computer Science

9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

MSc/PhD Mathematics

9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

BSc Data Science

9:00 AM to 12:30 PM

MSc Data Science

9:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Note: Candidates must note that these shift timings are based on the previous year's data. 2026 session shift timings will be mentioned after they are announced on the official website.

CMI Exam Centres 2026

CMI 2026 entrance exam centres will be mentioned by the exam conducting authority in the information brochure. CMI exam centres 2026 will contain the list of exam centres where candidates will be able to take the examination.

Upon filling out the application form, candidates need to select their exam city preference. Candidates can check out the CMI entrance exam centre list is yet to be released by the exam officials. However, candidates can check out the previous session exam centre from below:

Agartala

Hyderabad

Ranchi

Ahmedabad

Imphal

Shillong

Allahabad

Indore

Silchar

Bangalore

Jaipur

Siliguri

Bhubaneswar

Kanpur

Srinagar

Calicut

Kolkata

Tiruchi

Chennai

Madurai

Trivandrum

Cochin

Mohali

Visakhapatnam

Coimbatore

Mumbai

Durgapur

Nagpur

Goa

New Delhi

Guwahati

Paschim Medinipur

Preparation Tips for CMI Entrance Exam 2026

CMI Entrance Exam is known for its challenging questions, which require students to have strong analytical skills and consistent practice. To help the candidates excel in the examination, here are some effective CMI Entrance Exam 2026 Preparation Tips:

1. Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus

At first, candidates are required to thoroughly go through the prescribed CMI entrance exam 2026 syllabus and exam pattern, as mentioned on the official website. Candidates need to focus on the core subjects like Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics (Depending on the applied course).

2. Build Strong Conceptual Clarity

The CMI entrance exam will test candidate’s logical reasoning and conceptual understanding rather than rote learning. Test takers are advised to focus on learning the “why” and “how” behind concepts instead of memorising formulas.

3. Solve Previous Year Question Papers

Candidates are advised to go through the CMI entrance exam previous year question papers to get an idea about the types of questions asked and the depth of the topic. It will also help in identifying recurring topics and difficulty levels. Time yourself while solving papers to improve speed and accuracy.

4. Improve Problem-Solving Speed

Candidates must know that the exam question paper will have a time constraint, because of which the speed of solving the question paper plays a very important role. Regular mock tests and timed practice sessions can help you manage exam pressure efficiently.

5. Strengthen Logical and Analytical Thinking

CMI entrance questions will often have questions like puzzle types, unconventional problems, and higher-order reasoning. In order to develop the logical and analytical thinking of the student, one needs to engage in daily practice of logical reasoning exercises, mathematical puzzles, and coding challenges.

6. Stay Consistent and Revise Regularly

In order to crack the exam and get admission for the desired course, consistency is the key to success. Candidates are required to dedicate fixed hours daily for study, revise formulas and key concepts regularly, and maintain short notes for quick reference during the last few weeks.

Applying to multiple MSc/PhD programmes

Candidates who are interested in doing their PhD degree from Chennai Mathematical Institute can check the most important questions that are frequently asked by candidates:

  1. How many PhD programmes can a candidate apply to at CMI?

You can apply to at most one of the three PhD programmes: PhD Mathematics, PhD Computer Science and PhD Physics.

  1. Is the entrance exam mandatory for applicants to PhD Mathematics and PhD Computer Science?

If you apply for a PhD in Mathematics or a PhD in Computer Science, you must write the entrance exam for that programme.

  1. What is the eligibility requirement to apply for PhD Physics, and can it be combined with any other programme?

For PhD Physics, there is no separate entrance exam. You can only apply if you have written JEST 2025. You cannot apply to any other programmes in combination with the PhD in Physics.

  1. Which programme can be combined with PhD Mathematics, and is there a common entrance exam for them?

You can apply for a PhD in Mathematics in combination with an MSc in Mathematics. There is a common entrance exam for both categories. You cannot apply to any other programme in combination with a PhD in Mathematics.

  1. Which programme can be combined with PhD Computer Science, and how is the entrance exam conducted in this case?

You can apply for a PhD in Computer Science in combination with an MSc in Computer Science. There is a common entrance exam for both categories. You cannot apply to any other programme in combination with a PhD in Computer Science.

  1. Can candidates apply to more than one MSc programme at CMI?

You can apply to any combination of the three MSc programmes: MSc Mathematics, MSc Computer Science and MSc Data Science.

  1. How is the choice of MSc programme combinations determined for applicants?

The combination that you can apply for depends on the entrance examination that you have to chosen to write.

  1. Which MSc programmes can be applied for if the candidate writes the MSc Mathematics entrance exam?

If you have selected the MSc Mathematics entrance examination, you can apply to all three MSc programmes.

  1. Which MSc programmes are available if the MSc Computer Science entrance exam is chosen?

If you have selected the MSc Computer Science entrance examination, you can apply to MSc Computer Science and MSc Data Science, but not to MSc Mathematics.

  1. If a candidate chooses the MSc Data Science entrance exam, which programmes can they apply for?

If you have selected the MSc Data Science entrance examination, you can only apply to the MSc Data Science.

  1. How are candidates short-listed if they apply to multiple MSc programmes at CMI?

If you apply to multiple MSc programmes, you will be short-listed based on your performance in the exam that you write and will be called for an interview for the other programmes.