CUET UG 2026: Exam Date, Syllabus, Eligibility, Form & Pattern
The CUET UG 2026 (Common University Entrance Test – Undergraduate) is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to undergraduate programs offered by Central Universities, State Universities, Deemed Universities, and Private Universities across India. Introduced to bring uniformity, transparency, and fairness in undergraduate admissions, CUET UG has become the single most important entrance exam for Class 12 students aiming for top universities. This page explains every aspect of CUET UG 2026 in detail, including exam dates, eligibility, syllabus, application steps, exam pattern, marking scheme, cut-offs, counselling process, and preparation strategy. The National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to conduct the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) 2026 in May 2026 for admission to undergraduate programs across India’s top central, state, and private universities.
It is expected that the exam will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for 37 subjects, following last year’s pattern. The CUET registration 2026 is likely to begin in the first week of March 2026, and students will be able to fill out their CUET application form online at the official portal.
Candidates who have passed Class 12 or are appearing in Class 12 in 2026 are eligible to apply for the CUET exam. Before applying, students must check the program-specific eligibility criteria and choose subjects aligned with their Class 12 subjects to ensure a valid application.
Once the exam is over, CUET results 2026 will be declared, and universities will release CUET cutoffs based on NTA scores. Candidates meeting the required cutoff will qualify for admission to top universities like Delhi University (DU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), and Allahabad University, among others.
What is CUET UG? (Explained Clearly)
CUET UG is designed to:
Eliminate multiple entrance exams
Reduce dependency on board marks
Offer equal opportunity to students from different boards
Allow candidates to apply to multiple universities using one exam score
Instead of separate admission tests, universities now use CUET UG scores as the primary basis for shortlisting candidates.
CUET UG 2026 Exam Highlights
CUET UG 2026 major highlights provide a quick overview of the key details related to the undergraduate entrance examination. The table below summarises important information such as exam pattern, mode, eligibility, participating universities, and selection process.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Expected Exam Dates | May–June 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | cuet.nta.nic.in |
| Participating Universities | 272 (46 Central Universities, 39 State Universities / 28 Deemed to be Universities/ 149 Private Universities/ 10 Other Universities) |
| Medium of Instruction | 13 languages (Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, Odiya, Assamese, English, Punjabi, Hindi & Urdu) |
| Exam Sections | Section 1: Language-specific | Section 2: Domain-specific | Section 3: General Test |
| Exam Fee |
|
| Question Type | MCQ's |
| Courses Offered | Undergraduate Programs (BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA, etc.) |
What is CUET UG 2026 Exam?
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) every year for admission to undergraduate and integrated programmes offered by participating universities. CUET UG serves as a single national-level entrance examination for students seeking admission to central, state, private, and deemed universities across India. The exam is conducted in 13 languages- Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu across more than 300 cities nationwide. CUET UG is held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, with a duration of 60 minutes per paper.
What's New in CUET 2026?
- The University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved major changes for CUET UG 2026.
- Candidates can now appear for CUET UG in any subject, regardless of the subjects studied in Class 12.
- CUET UG 2026 will be conducted only in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
- The total number of CUET subjects has been reduced from 63 to 37.
- Subjects such as Entrepreneurship, Teaching Aptitude, Fashion Studies, Tourism, Legal Studies, and Engineering Graphics have been removed.
- Each CUET subject paper will have a fixed duration of 60 minutes.
- Admissions for discontinued subjects will be based on General Aptitude Test scores.
- No optional questions will be provided in CUET UG 2026.
CUET UG 2025 vs CUET UG 2026: Comparison Table
| Parameter | CUET UG 2025 | CUET UG 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Subject Eligibility | Based on Class 12 subjects | Any subject allowed, irrespective of Class 12 |
| Exam Mode | Hybrid (CBT + Pen & Paper in some cases) | CBT only |
| Total Number of Subjects | 63 subjects | 37 subjects |
| Discontinued Subjects | Not applicable | Entrepreneurship, Teaching Aptitude, Fashion Studies, Tourism, Legal Studies, Engineering Graphics |
| Exam Duration (Per Subject) | Variable | Fixed at 60 minutes |
| Admission for Removed Subjects | Subject-specific papers | General Aptitude Test score |
| Optional Questions | Available | Not available |
CUET UG 2026 Exam Dates (Tentative)
The official schedule will be released by NTA in early 2026. Below are the expected CUET 2026 dates based on previous year trends:
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Release of Notification | February 2026 |
| CUET UG Application Form Starts | 1st week of March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 1st week of April 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | 2nd week of April 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | May 2026 |
| CUET Exam Date | May–June 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | June 2026 |
| Result Declaration | July 2026 |
| Counselling and Admission | July–August 2026 |
CUET UG 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, students must meet the CUET eligibility criteria as prescribed by NTA and individual universities.
1. Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed Class 12 or equivalent examination from a recognized board.
Students appearing for Class 12 in 2026 are also eligible to apply.
The subject combination chosen in CUET must match the subjects studied in Class 12.
2. Minimum Marks Requirement
General category: Minimum 50% marks in Class 12.
SC/ST category: Minimum 45% marks (varies as per university).
3. Age Limit
There is no upper age limit for appearing in CUET UG 2026.
However, candidates must meet the age requirements of the university they are applying to (if applicable).
CUET UG 2026 Application Form Process
Step-by-Step Process to Apply
Visit the official website – cuet.nta.nic.in.
Register online by entering basic details like name, email ID, and mobile number.
Fill in the CUET application form with personal, academic, and contact details.
Upload required documents, including:
Recent passport-size photograph
Signature
Class 10 and 12 certificates (if available)
Category certificate (if applicable)
Select CUET subjects carefully based on your Class 12 subjects.
Pay the application fee online via debit/credit card, UPI, or net banking.
Download the confirmation page and save it for future reference.
Application Fees (Expected)
| Category | Up to 3 Subjects | Additional Subject Fee |
|---|---|---|
| General | ₹1000 | ₹200 per subject |
| OBC/EWS | ₹900 | ₹175 per subject |
| SC/ST/PwD | ₹800 | ₹150 per subject |
| Foreign Candidates | ₹4500 | ₹450 per subject |
CUET UG 2026 Exam Pattern
The CUET UG exam pattern 2026 will likely remain similar to the 2025 structure.
Key Highlights
Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Total Sections: 3
Duration: 45–195 minutes (depending on subjects chosen)
CUET Exam Structure
| Section | Details | No. of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section IA & IB | Language Test (13 20 Languages) | 40 out of 50 | 45 mins per language |
| Section II | Domain-Specific Subjects (37 subjects) | 40 out of 50 | 45 mins per subject |
| Section III | General Test (optional) | 60 out of 75 | 60 mins |
Each question carries 5 marks, and 1 mark is deducted for every wrong answer.
CUET UG 2026 Syllabus
The CUET syllabus 2026 is primarily based on the Class 12 NCERT syllabus. Students should focus on key topics studied in their school curriculum.
CUET Language Test Syllabus
Reading comprehension (factual, narrative, literary)
Vocabulary and grammar
Rearranging sentences
Synonyms & antonyms
CUET Domain Subjects (Examples)
Each subject follows the respective NCERT syllabus for Class 12.
For example:
Physics: Electric charges, Magnetism, Optics, Modern Physics
Chemistry: Organic chemistry, Electrochemistry, Polymers
Mathematics: Algebra, Calculus, Probability, Statistics
Economics: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics
Business Studies: Principles of Management, Business Environment
CUET General Test Syllabus
General Knowledge & Current Affairs
Logical and Analytical Reasoning
Quantitative Aptitude
Basic Mathematics
CUET UG 2026 Question Paper & Preparation Tips
CUET Question Paper Format
Total questions: 50 (per subject)
Difficulty level: Moderate (Class 12 standard)
Language options: English and other regional languages
Students can download previous year CUET question papers from the NTA website for practice.
Preparation Tips for CUET 2026
Understand the syllabus and prioritize important topics.
Follow NCERT books for all domain subjects.
Solve previous year papers and mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
Focus on accuracy as negative marking applies.
Revise daily and practice sample questions in CBT format.
CUET Participating Universities 2026
Over 250 universities (central, state, private, and deemed) will accept CUET UG 2026 scores. Some of the top ones include:
University of Delhi (DU)
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI)
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)
University of Allahabad
Central University of Haryana, Punjab, and Gujarat
Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) (expected for select courses)
CUET UG 2026 Cutoff and Admission Process
After the declaration of results, each participating university will release CUET cutoff scores for different programs. Candidates meeting the required percentile or score will be called for counselling or merit-based admission.
Cutoff depends on:
Number of applicants
Difficulty level of the paper
Seats available
Category of the candidate
Once selected, students must complete the document verification and pay the admission fee to confirm their seat.
The CUET UG 2026 exam opens doors to some of the most prestigious universities in India. With the right preparation and awareness of exam details, students can secure admission to their dream college.
Stay updated with official announcements on cuet.nta.nic.in and begin your preparation early for better results.
CUET UG FAQs
The application process for CUET UG 2026 is anticipated to commence in the first week of March 2026 and is expected to remain open until the last week of the same month. During this period, candidates will be able to fill out the online registration form, upload the required documents, and pay the application fee through the official CUET portal. The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the examination, will release an official notification specifying the exact dates and detailed instructions for the registration process around March 2026. Applicants are strongly advised to keep a close watch on the official CUET website to stay informed about important announcements, including application start and end dates, correction window schedules, and any changes made by NTA. Missing the registration deadline could result in disqualification from appearing for the exam, so students should complete the process well before the last date. It is also recommended that candidates review the eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and syllabus before applying to ensure they meet all requirements and are well-prepared for the test.
The eligibility criteria for CUET UG 2026 are as follows: Candidates must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination from a recognized board in any stream. Students who are appearing for their Class 12 exams in 2026 are also eligible to apply. For candidates in the General category, a minimum of 50% marks in Class 12 is usually required. For candidates belonging to SC, ST, or OBC categories, the minimum qualifying marks are generally around 45%. Applicants must be Indian nationals. However, NRIs, OCIs, and certain foreign nationals such as those from Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugee backgrounds may also be eligible, depending on the specific university’s admission policies. There is no fixed age limit for appearing in CUET UG 2026, although individual universities may specify their own age criteria for certain programs. It is important to note that meeting the CUET eligibility criteria does not automatically guarantee admission, as each university may have additional course-specific requirements, including subject combinations or higher cut-off scores. Reservation policies are applied according to the Government of India norms and may vary by university. In summary, candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 from a recognized board with the required minimum marks and hold Indian or eligible nationality. Specific eligibility conditions can differ based on the chosen university and course.
The CUET UG 2026 exam pattern is structured as follows: Mode of Examination: The test will be conducted entirely online in a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format. Sections: The exam is divided into three main sections: Language Test (Section I): Candidates can choose one or two languages from a list of 13 available options. Domain-Specific Subjects (Section II): Candidates can select up to three subjects from 23 domain-specific options. General Aptitude Test (Section III): This section is compulsory for all candidates. Number of Questions: Each chosen language or subject paper will include 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The total number of questions varies depending on the number of subjects selected, with a maximum of five tests allowed. Duration: Each language or subject paper will have a duration of 60 minutes. The exam may be conducted in multiple slots or on different days, depending on the combination of subjects selected by the candidate. Marking Scheme: Each correct answer will carry 5 marks. Each incorrect answer will result in a deduction of 1 mark. No marks will be awarded or deducted for unanswered questions. Medium of Examination: The test will be available in English and 12 other regional languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Assamese, and Urdu. Exam Schedule: The CUET UG 2026 is expected to be held in May or June 2026 across multiple shifts. Additional Information: Candidates are required to choose at least one language paper. They can combine languages, domain-specific subjects, and the general aptitude test based on the admission requirements of the universities they wish to apply to.
Yes, the CUET UG 2026 syllabus has been officially released by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It is mainly based on the Class 12 NCERT syllabus for the respective subjects included in the domain-specific section. The syllabus is divided into three sections: Section I: Language tests in 13 languages, including English and Hindi. This section covers topics such as Reading Comprehension, Grammar, and Literary Aptitude. Section II: Domain-specific subjects comprising 23 subjects. Each subject follows the complete Class 12 NCERT curriculum. Section III: General Aptitude Test that includes questions on general awareness, numerical ability, and logical reasoning. Detailed subject-wise syllabus PDFs are available for download from official sources, and candidates are encouraged to refer to these documents for accurate preparation. The syllabi for language and general aptitude sections are broadly defined, while the domain-specific section follows the NCERT Class 12 syllabus more closely. Some foreign language and niche subjects have been removed from 2025 onwards. Overall, the CUET UG 2026 syllabus is structured to match Class 12 learning outcomes and entrance examination standards.
The CUET UG 2026 cutoff differs significantly based on the university, course, and category of the candidate. According to previous years’ data and expert analysis: Top central universities such as Delhi University (DU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) usually have cutoffs around 700 marks or higher out of the total score for popular courses like B.Com (Hons), B.Sc (Hons), and B.A (Hons) Economics for General category candidates. Mid-tier universities often have cutoffs between 650 and 750 marks, depending on the program and the level of competition. Candidates belonging to reserved categories generally have lower cutoffs, typically 50 to 100 marks less than those for the General category. Top Delhi University colleges such as Hindu College, Lady Shri Ram College, and Miranda House usually record cutoffs in the 92 to 100 percentile range for highly sought-after programs. The minimum qualifying or passing marks generally fall between 300 and 400. Scores below this range are considered low and are usually not sufficient for admission to top courses. Each participating university releases its own official cutoff list after the CUET results are announced, using individual criteria based on seat availability and the applicant pool.
The registration fee structure for CUET UG 2026 varies based on the candidate’s category and the number of subjects selected. The detailed fee breakdown is as follows: For General (UR) category candidates: The application fee is expected to be ₹1000 for up to three subjects. If a candidate wishes to apply for more than three subjects, an additional fee of ₹400 will be charged for each extra subject. For OBC-NCL and EWS category candidates: The fee is likely to be ₹900 for the first three subjects, with an extra ₹375 applicable for each additional subject chosen beyond that limit. For SC, ST, PwBD, and Third Gender candidates: The fee is expected to be ₹800 for up to three subjects. Candidates who wish to include more subjects will have to pay ₹350 for every additional subject. For candidates applying from examination centres located outside India: The registration fee is expected to be ₹4500 for the first three subjects. For every extra subject added, an additional charge of ₹1800 will be applicable. All payments for the CUET UG 2026 registration must be made through online modes only. Accepted payment options include debit cards, credit cards, net banking, UPI, and Paytm. Applicants should ensure that their payment is successfully processed and the confirmation receipt is generated, as incomplete or failed transactions may result in application rejection. The registration window for CUET UG 2026 is anticipated to open in the first week of March 2026, and candidates will have time until the last week of March 2026 to complete their application and pay the examination fee. It is strongly advised that applicants do not wait until the final day to register, as heavy traffic on the portal could lead to technical issues or payment delays. After successful payment, candidates should download and keep a copy of the fee receipt and application form for future reference. These documents may be required during later stages of the admission process, including exam day verification or counselling rounds.
Yes, droppers are eligible to appear for CUET 2026, as long as they have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination from a recognized board with the required minimum marks for their category and chosen course. There is no age limit or restriction on the number of attempts, so students who took a gap year after completing Class 12 can also apply for CUET UG 2026. However, students who dropped out of Class 12, meaning they did not pass or complete it, are not eligible to take the exam until they successfully complete their Class 12 qualification. It is important to note that some universities may have additional course-specific eligibility requirements, so candidates should carefully review the criteria of their desired university and program before applying.
The registration process for CUET UG 2026 is likely to begin in the first week of March 2026. The application window generally stays open for three to four weeks and is expected to close by the last week of March 2026. During this period, the National Testing Agency (NTA) usually releases official notifications and detailed application guidelines. Candidates should regularly visit the official CUET website to stay updated on exact dates and announcements.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the CUET UG 2026 syllabus. It is divided into three main sections: Language Tests, which include reading comprehension and grammar. Domain-specific Subjects, based on the Class 12 NCERT curriculum. General Aptitude Test, covering general knowledge and logical reasoning. Candidates can download detailed, subject-wise syllabus PDFs from official sources and trusted educational platforms to aid in their preparation.