CUET UG Exam 2026

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG) is a centralized national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Below are the key highlights for the 2026 session:

• Exam Name: Common University Entrance Test (Undergraduate)
• Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
• Exam Frequency: Once a year
• Exam Level: National Level
• Mode of Exam: Hybrid (Computer Based Test and Pen-Paper mode)
• Medium: 13 Languages (English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu)
• Number of Participating Universities: 250+ (Including Central, State, Deemed, and Private Universities)

The tentative schedule for CUET UG 2026 is provided below. Candidates should keep a close watch on the official NTA website for exact dates.

• Release of Notification: Second week of February 2026
• Commencement of Online Registration: Last week of February 2026
• Last Date for Application Submission: Last week of March 2026
• Correction Window: First week of April 2026
• Announcement of City Intimation Slip: First week of May 2026
• Admit Card Release: Second week of May 2026
• CUET UG 2026 Exam Window: May 15 to May 31, 2026
• Answer Key Challenge: Mid-June 2026
• Declaration of Result: Last week of June or First week of July 2026

CUET UG is a standardized entrance test introduced to simplify the admission process for undergraduate courses across India. It provides a single-window opportunity for students to apply to various Central Universities and other participating institutions. The exam eliminates the pressure of high board exam cut-offs and offers a level playing field for students from different educational boards across the country.

The full form of CUET UG is the Common University Entrance Test (Undergraduate). It was previously known as CUCET (Central Universities Common Entrance Test) before being revamped and expanded by the Ministry of Education and the NTA in 2022.

Since its large-scale implementation in 2022, CUET UG has grown to become the second-largest entrance exam in India in terms of applicant volume. In 2022, approximately 14.9 lakh students registered. By 2024 and 2025, the number of participating universities expanded from 90 to over 250, including prestigious institutions like the University of Delhi (DU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). The 2026 edition is expected to see further refinements in the hybrid testing model to accommodate students from rural backgrounds.

The eligibility criteria for CUET UG 2026 are as follows:

• Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board. Students appearing for their Class 12 exams in 2026 are also eligible to apply.
• Age Limit: There is no specific age limit for appearing in CUET UG. However, candidates must fulfill the age criteria (if any) of the specific university they are applying to.
• Minimum Marks: While NTA doesn't set a minimum mark for the exam, individual universities may require a specific percentage in Class 12 for final admission.

The application process for 2026 will be conducted entirely online through the official portal exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-UG/. The steps include:

1. Registration: Create a login ID using a valid email and mobile number.
2. Filling the Form: Enter personal details, academic qualifications, and select the desired universities and courses.
3. Subject Selection: Choose the Language, Domain subjects, and General Test as per university requirements.
4. Document Upload: Upload scanned copies of the photograph, signature, and category certificates (if applicable).
5. Fee Payment: Pay the application fee via Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, or UPI.

CUET UG 2026 subjects are divided into three sections:

• Section IA & IB: 33 Languages (e.g., English, Hindi, Sanskrit, French, Spanish).
• Section II: 27 Domain-Specific Subjects (e.g., Physics, Accountancy, History, Biology, Computer Science).
• Section III: General Test (Covers General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Mental Ability, and Quantitative Reasoning).

The syllabus for CUET UG is primarily based on the NCERT Class 12 curriculum:

• Languages: Reading comprehension based on different types of passages, literary aptitude, and vocabulary.
• Domain Subjects: Detailed topics from the NCERT Class 12 textbooks for each specific subject.
• General Test: General Knowledge, Current Affairs, General Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning, and Logical and Analytical Reasoning.

The exam pattern for 2026 is designed to be objective and candidate-friendly:

• Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
• Marking Scheme: +5 marks for each correct answer; -1 mark for each incorrect answer; 0 for unattempted questions.
• Number of Subjects: Candidates can choose up to a maximum of 6 subjects (including languages and the General Test).
• Duration: Typically 45 minutes per subject, except for subjects like Mathematics, Physics, and Accountancy, which are 60 minutes.

The admission process follows a multi-step journey:

1. Fill Application: Apply via the NTA portal.
2. Appear for Exam: Take the CUET UG test in May 2026.
3. Scorecard Release: Download the NTA scorecard.
4. University Registration: Apply separately to the counseling portals of the chosen universities.
5. Merit List: Universities release merit lists based on CUET scores.
6. Seat Allocation: Acceptance of seats and document verification.

Over 250 universities participate in CUET UG, including:

• Central Universities: University of Delhi, BHU, JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia, AMU, University of Allahabad.
• State Universities: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University Delhi, University of Lucknow.
• Deemed & Private Universities: TISS, Amity University, SRM University, Shiv Nadar University.

The CUET UG 2026 Results will be declared on the official NTA website. The result is provided in the form of a scorecard containing:

• Sectional Percentile Scores
• Total Normalized Scores (using the equi-percentile method for multi-shift exams)
• Candidate's basic details and qualifying status.

After the results are announced, the role of NTA ends. Students must:

• Check the eligibility and cut-off of their preferred universities.
• Register for the Counseling Process of individual universities.
• Participate in the seat allotment rounds based on their CUET rank and preferences.

The counseling is not centralized. Each university conducts its own process. For example:

• Delhi University: Conducts the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS).
• BHU: Conducts its own online counseling portal for seat allocation.
• Candidates must upload their Class 12 marks and CUET scores on these portals to be considered for the merit list.

The CUET UG 2026 Cut Off will vary significantly based on:

• The popularity of the course (e.g., B.Com Hons at SRCC has a very high cut-off).
• The reputation of the university.
• The difficulty level of the 2026 question papers.
• The number of students applying for a specific seat.

For any queries regarding the 2026 exam, candidates can reach out to the NTA:

• Official Website: exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-UG/
• Helpline Number: 011-40759000 / 011-69227700
• Email: cuet-ug@nta.ac.in
• Address: NSIC-MDBP Building, First Floor, Okhla Industrial Estate, New Delhi-110020