The CUET UG 2026 eligibility criteria is one of the most searched topics among students preparing for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). Before applying, it’s important to know who can appear, what qualifications are required, the minimum marks needed, and whether there is any age limit for CUET UG 2026. Checking the eligibility helps students avoid mistakes during registration and admission.
In this blog, we cover the complete details on CUET UG eligibility criteria, including age limit, academic qualifications, minimum marks, and reservation policies.
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CUET UG Eligibility Criteria 2026
Students seeking admission through CUET UG 2026 must ensure they satisfy the eligibility conditions listed here.
CUET Educational Qualification
- Students should have either passed or appeared in Class 12 (10+2) from a recognized board in any stream to apply for bachelor’s degree programmes in central, state, private, or deemed universities.
- For the General category, candidates must score at least 50% marks in Class 12, while SC/ST candidates need a minimum of 45% marks to qualify for CUET UG 2026.
- For B.Tech programmes, the minimum requirement is 45% aggregate marks for General category and 40% for reserved category candidates.
CUET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit
There is no specific age limit set by NTA for CUET UG 2026. However, candidates must meet the age requirements (if any) prescribed by the universities where they are seeking admission. Apart from age, admission through CUET will also depend on the university’s existing rules regarding quota, category, reservation, subject combinations, and relaxation policies.
Join CUET 2026 CUET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Nationality
To apply for the CUET UG 2026 exam, candidates must fulfill the following nationality requirements:
- The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
- Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan are also eligible.
- Tibetan refugees who came to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement can apply.
- Candidates of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India are also eligible.
CUET 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Reservation Policy
Indian nationals belonging to reserved categories are offered admission under the reservation rules prescribed by the Government of India. However, for Central Universities, the individual university’s reservation policy will be applicable. Candidates must upload valid category certificates while filling the CUET UG 2026 application form.
Reservation for GEN-EWS Category
- Candidates applying under the GEN-EWS category must upload a valid EWS certificate issued on or after 01 January 2026 as per Government of India guidelines.
- If a GEN-EWS candidate cannot upload the certificate at the time of registration, they must submit a Declaration in Lieu of EWS Certificate (Annexure-IB, CUET Brochure 2026).
Reservation for OBC-NCL Category
- Candidates applying under the OBC-NCL category must upload an OBC-NCL certificate issued on or after 01 January 2026 as per the latest rules.
- If not available during registration, candidates must submit a Declaration in Lieu of OBC-NCL Certificate (Annexure-IIB, CUET Brochure 2026).
Reservation for SC/ST Category
- Candidates belonging to SC or ST categories must upload a valid caste/tribe certificate while submitting the CUET UG 2026 online form, in accordance with the Government of India norms.
Important Notes for CUET UG 2026 Reservation Criteria
- Each university may have unique eligibility and reservation rules, so candidates must check the official website of the university they are applying to.
- Candidates should ensure they meet the programme-wise eligibility conditions of the chosen university before applying.
- Simply appearing in CUET UG 2026 or securing qualifying marks does not guarantee admission unless the candidate fulfills all university-specific eligibility and reservation requirements.
CUET UG 2026 Eligibility Criteria – Central Universities
Delhi University (DU)
| Course | CUET Subject Combination | Additional Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Biological Science | Physics + Chemistry + Biology / Biological Studies / Biotechnology / Biochemistry | Minimum 30% in any one language from List A |
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Chemistry / Physics / Polymer Science | Physics + Chemistry + Mathematics | Minimum 30% in any one language from List A |
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Mathematics | One language (List A) + Mathematics + Any two subjects (at least one from List B1) | – |
| B.Com (Hons.) – Combination I | One language (List A) + Mathematics/Applied Mathematics + Any two subjects (one from List B1) | – |
| B.Com (Hons.) – Combination II | One language (List A) + Accountancy/Book Keeping + Any two subjects (one from List B1) | – |
University of Allahabad (AU)
| Course | CUET Subject Combination | Additional Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| B.Sc. (Mathematics) | Section IA: English/Hindi (Language) + Section II: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science (Any 2 compulsory) + Section III: General Test | General Test compulsory |
| B.Sc. (Biology) | Section IA: English/Hindi (Language) + Section II: Biology (Compulsory) + Chemistry/Physics (Any 1) + Section III: General Test | General Test compulsory |
| B.Com | Section IA: English/Hindi (Language) + Section II: Accountancy/Book Keeping (Compulsory) + Section III: General Test | General Test compulsory |
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
| Course | CUET Subject Combination |
|---|---|
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Mathematics | Physics + Chemistry + Mathematics |
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Biology | Physics + Chemistry + Biology |
| B.A. (Hons.) Arts | Section IA: Hindi/English (Language) + Section III: General Test |
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
| Course | CUET Subject Combination |
|---|---|
| B.A. (Hons.) Arabic | Section IA: English (Language) + Section III: General Test |
| B.A. (Hons.) Korean | Section IA: English (Language) + Section III: General Test |
| B.A. (Hons.) French | Section IA: English (Language) + Section III: General Test |
Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI)
| Course | CUET Subject Combination |
|---|---|
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Physics | Physics (Domain Subject) |
| B.A. (Hons.) Korean Language | General Test |
| B.A. (Hons.) Economics | Economics (Domain Subject) |
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)
| Course | CUET Subject Combination | Additional Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Statistics | English + Physics + Chemistry + Biology/Mathematics | Must have studied Mathematics at 10+2 level |
| B.A. (Hons.) Women’s Studies | English + General Test | – |
| B.A. (Hons.) Hindi | English + General Test | – |
CUET UG Eligibility Criteria 2026: Deemed Universities
The official list of CUET UG 2026 deemed universities will be updated once it is released on the official website. Candidates can check the complete list by visiting the CUET portal.
Students seeking admission to deemed universities accepting CUET scores should carefully review the university-wise eligibility criteria. This information will be available at cuet.nta.nic.in under the “Universities” tab in the main menu or in the respective university’s admission brochure.
CUET UG 2026 Reservation Policy
All candidates applying for admission through CUET UG 2026 must verify the reservation criteria before filling out their application. As per the Government of India rules:
- Candidates from reserved categories receive a 5% relaxation in minimum marks for each program.
- Central and deemed universities follow the reservation policies prescribed by the Government of India.
- Candidates who fail to submit valid reservation certificates during the admission process will not be considered for category benefits and may face disqualification.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the eligibility criteria for CUET UG 2026?
To be eligible for CUET UG 2026, candidates must have passed or appeared in Class 12 (10+2) from a recognized board. General category students need at least 50% marks, while SC/ST candidates require 45% marks. For B.Tech programs, the minimum is 45% for General and 40% for reserved categories.
Is there any age limit for CUET UG 2026?
No, there is no upper age limit to appear for CUET UG 2026. However, candidates must meet the age criteria (if any) specified by the university for a particular course.
What is the nationality requirement for CUET UG 2026?
Candidates must be:
>An Indian citizen, or
>A citizen of Nepal or Bhutan, or
>A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 for permanent settlement, or
>A person of Indian origin (PIO) who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
What is the reservation policy for CUET UG 2026?
As per Government of India norms, the CUET UG 2026 reservation policy is:
SC: 15%
ST: 7.5%
OBC-NCL: 27%
EWS: 10%
PwD: 5% horizontal reservation
Additionally, reserved category candidates receive a 5% relaxation in minimum marks for eligibility.
Can students appearing in Class 12 apply for CUET UG 2026?
Yes, students who are appearing in Class 12 in 2026 are also eligible to apply. However, they must provide proof of passing the exam at the time of admission.
What are the subject requirements for CUET UG 2026?
The subject requirements depend on the course applied for. For example:
>Science courses (B.Sc., B.Tech): Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology.
>Commerce courses (B.Com, BBA): Mathematics/Applied Mathematics or Accountancy.
>Arts courses (BA): Language + General Test or relevant domain subjects.
