CUET UG 2026: The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) UG 2026 is one of the most awaited national-level entrance exams for students seeking admission to undergraduate programs in central, state, deemed, and private universities across India. CUET provides a single-window opportunity for aspirants to secure admission to prestigious universities like Delhi University (DU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), and many others.
In this comprehensive blog, we will cover everything you need to know about CUET UG 2026 including exam dates, eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, application process, result, cutoff, preparation tips and counselling.
Page Index
Exam Highlights
Before reviewing the complete description of the CUET-UG entrance examination, let’s look at a summary.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common University Entrance Test (CUET) |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Level | Undergraduate (UG) |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Purpose | Admission to UG programs in participating universities |
| Application Window | First week of March 2026 |
| Exam Duration | Slot I – 9 AM to 11 AM Slot II – 12:30 PM to 2 PM Slot III – 4 PM to 5:30 PM |
| Medium of Exam | 13 Languages – English, Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, Odia, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Urdu |
| Participating Universities | 200+ (Central, State, Deemed, Private) |
| Official Websites | cuet.nta.nic.in |
Who Can Appear for CUET UG 2026?
- Students who have passed Class 12th or appearing in Class 12th in 2026.
- Candidates from any stream (Science, Commerce, Arts, Humanities).
- Aspirants seeking admission in Central Universities like DU, BHU, JNU, AMU, JMI, and 200+ participating universities.
- Students who want equal admission chances irrespective of board.
- Freshers as well as gap year students who fulfill eligibility norms.
CUET UG 2026 Important Dates (Expected)
Students can check the CUET UG 2026 schedule including application dates, exam dates, result declaration, and counselling process.
Join CUET 2026 | Event | Dates (Expected) |
| Application Form Release | 01 March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 24 March 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | Last week of March 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | First week of May 2026 |
| CUET UG 2026 Exam Date | 15 May 2026 – 03 June 2026 |
| Result Declaration | 04 July 2026 |
| Counselling Starts | Second week of July 2026 |
CUET UG 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet CUET UG 2026 eligibility criteria including education, age limit, nationality, and minimum marks.
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed Class 12th (10+2) or equivalent from a recognized board.
- Minimum Marks: General category candidates need at least 50%, while SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD candidates may require 45% (varies by university).
- Age Limit: No upper age limit. Candidates must fulfill individual university admission criteria.
- Nationality: Students must be Indian citizens.
CUET UG 2026 Exam Pattern
The CUET UG 2026 exam Pattern is divided into three sections- Language (50 questions, 60 mins), Domain Subjects (50 questions), and General Test (50 questions).
- Mode of Exam: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes (Varies by subject combination)
- Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Marking Scheme: +5 for correct answer, -1 for wrong answer
Marking Scheme:
- +5 marks for each correct answer
- -1 mark for each wrong answer
- 0 marks for unanswered questions
- Bonus marks (+5) awarded if a question has multiple correct options or is dropped.
CUET UG 2026 Syllabus
The CUET UG 2026 syllabus is based on the Class 12 NCERT curriculum, covering Language, Domain Subjects, and General Test. Candidates must prepare thoroughly for all three sections to score well in the exam.
CUET UG 2026 Section-wise Syllabus
| Section | CUET UG 2026 Syllabus / Question Types |
|---|---|
| Section I – Language | English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu. Questions on Reading Comprehension (factual, literary, narrative), Literary Aptitude, and Vocabulary. |
| Section II – Domain Subjects | Accountancy, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Geography, History, Home Science, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physical Education, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Agriculture, Mass Media, Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Sanskrit, Anthropology, Environmental Studies, Knowledge Tradition & Practices in India. (Based on Class 12 NCERT syllabus). |
| Section III – General Test | General Knowledge, Current Affairs, General Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning (up to Class 8 level), Logical and Analytical Reasoning. |
CUET UG 2026 Registration
The CUET UG 2026 application form will be available on the NTA official website from 01 March 2026 to 24 March 2026. Candidates must first complete the CUET registration by entering basic details (name, address, contact number, etc.) to generate login credentials. After login, they can fill the form with personal, academic details, program and exam city preference, upload documents, and pay the application fee online via debit/credit card, net banking, Paytm, or UPI.
CUET UG 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Up to 3 Subjects | For Each Additional Subject |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | ₹1000 | ₹400 each |
| OBC-NCL / EWS | ₹900 | ₹375 each |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender | ₹800 | ₹350 each |
| Centres Outside India | ₹4500 | ₹1800 each |
CUET Registration Statistics (2022–2025)
The CUET UG exam has witnessed massive participation over the years. Check the year-wise number of applicants and candidates who appeared:
| CUET Exam Year | Applicants Applied | Candidates Appeared |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13,54,699 | 10,71,735 |
| 2024 | 13,47,820 | 11,13,610 |
| 2023 | ~14,00,000 | ~11,16,000 |
| 2022 | 14,90,293 | 9,68,201 |
CUET UG 2026 Exam Centres
The CUET UG 2026 exam will be conducted in around 300 cities in India and abroad. The exact exam centre will be mentioned on the CUET admit card 2026, while an advance intimation slip will inform candidates about their exam city and state.
During the application process, candidates must select four preferred exam cities, and NTA will try to allot a centre in one of the chosen cities.
CUET 2026 Preparation Tips
The CUET UG 2026 exam is a national-level entrance test with high competition, so candidates need a smart strategy to score well. Here are some effective preparation methods:
- Understand the Exam Pattern & Syllabus: Start your preparation by carefully reviewing the CUET exam structure and subjects. Refer to reliable books and study material.
- Build Conceptual Clarity: Focus on each section, identify your strong and weak areas, and work on improving weak topics with the help of teachers or peers.
- Practice Regularly: Once the syllabus is covered, attempt CUET mock tests and previous year question papers to understand question trends and improve speed.
- Analyse Performance: After every test, review mistakes and refine your strategy for better accuracy and time management.
- Stay Positive & Confident: Consistency and confidence play a major role in clearing CUET successfully.
CUET UG 2026 Admit Card
The CUET UG 2026 admit card will be released by NTA online. Before this, an advance intimation slip will be issued, mentioning the exam city, date, and slot. Candidates must download the admit card using their registration credentials and carry it to the exam centre as it is a mandatory document.
CUET UG 2026 Answer Key
NTA will publish the CUET UG 2026 provisional answer key along with the response sheet. Candidates can calculate their probable scores and challenge any question by paying ₹200 per objection. After review by experts, the final answer key will be released, based on which the CUET UG 2026 result will be prepared.
CUET UG 2026 Result
The CUET UG 2026 result will be released on cuet.nta.nic.in, where candidates can log in to download their scorecard with section-wise marks, percentile, and cutoff details.
CUET UG 2026 Cut off
The CUET UG 2026 cutoff will be released by NTA and participating universities. It is the minimum score required for admission, varying by course and institute, and depends on factors like exam difficulty, number of candidates, and available seats.
CUET UG 2025 Counselling 2026
The CUET UG 2026 counselling will be conducted online by participating universities after the result. Candidates must register, check merit lists, and participate in seat allotment rounds (usually three, depending on vacancies). After allotment, candidates must confirm admission by reporting to the institute with documents. For certain courses, interviews may replace counselling, details of which will be shared by NTA in the CUET 2026 information brochure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is CUET UG 2026?
CUET UG 2026 (Common University Entrance Test) is a national-level exam conducted by NTA for admission to undergraduate programmes in central, state, deemed, and private universities across India.
When will CUET UG 2026 be held?
The CUET UG 2026 exam will be conducted from 15 May to 03 June 2026 in computer-based test (CBT) mode.
When will CUET UG 2026 application form be released?
The CUET UG 2026 application process will begin on 01 March 2026 and continue till 24 March 2026 on the official website cuet.nta.nic.in.
What is the eligibility for CUET UG 2026?
Candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 or equivalent exam from a recognised board. There is no age limit, but university-specific age rules may apply.
What is the CUET UG 2026 exam pattern
The exam is divided into three sections:
Section I – Language (50 questions, 60 mins)
Section II – Domain Subjects (50 questions)
Section III – General Test (50 questions)
How does CUET UG 2026 counselling take place?
Counselling is conducted separately by universities in online mode, usually in three rounds. Candidates must register, check merit lists, and complete seat allotment and document verification.
How is CUET UG 2026 cutoff decided?
The cutoff is released by each participating university based on factors like exam difficulty, number of applicants, and available seats.
