The Common University Entrance Test widely known as CUET UG 2026 is one of the most important entrance examinations for students seeking undergraduate admission in India. Conducted by the National Testing Agency this examination has transformed the admission process by creating a single common platform for entry into central state deemed government and private universities. With lakhs of aspirants appearing every year CUET UG has become a gateway to top universities and competitive undergraduate programs.
This detailed guide on CUET UG 2026 is written especially for students and parents who want clear accurate and well organised information in one place. The article covers notification details registration process exam dates syllabus exam pattern eligibility participating universities counselling cutoff preparation strategy and frequently asked questions. Every effort has been made to keep the language simple informative and student friendly while also being optimised for search engines.
What is CUET UG 2026
CUET UG 2026 stands for Common University Entrance Test for Undergraduate admissions for the academic session 2026 to 2027. It is a national level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency under the Ministry of Education Government of India. The exam provides a single standardised score that is accepted by a large number of universities across the country.
The main objective of CUET UG is to ensure fairness transparency and equal opportunity for students from different boards and backgrounds. Earlier admissions were heavily dependent on Class twelve board marks which often varied in difficulty level across boards. CUET eliminates this imbalance by using a common testing platform.
CUET UG 2026 Official Notification Overview
The official information bulletin for CUET UG 2026 has been released by the National Testing Agency on the official website cuet dot nta dot nic dot in. According to the notification the registration window has been extended and the examination will be conducted in multiple shifts in computer based mode across India and select international centres.
CUET UG 2026 will be conducted in thirteen Indian languages and English making it accessible to students from diverse linguistic backgrounds. The exam will consist of language papers domain specific subjects and a general aptitude test.
CUET UG 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Release of official notification | January 2026 |
| Start of online application | 3 January 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 4 February 2026 up to 11 50 PM |
| Last date for fee payment | 7 February 2026 up to 11 50 PM |
| Correction window | 2 February 2026 to 4 February 2026 |
| City intimation slip | To be announced |
| Admit card release | To be announced |
| CUET UG 2026 exam dates | 11 May 2026 to 31 May 2026 tentative |
| Answer key release | To be announced |
| Result declaration | To be announced |
CUET UG 2026 Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam name | Common University Entrance Test UG 2026 |
| Conducting body | National Testing Agency |
| Exam level | National level |
| Mode of examination | Computer based test |
| Total subjects | Thirty seven subjects |
| Maximum subjects allowed | Five subjects |
| Duration per subject | Sixty minutes |
| Question type | Multiple choice questions |
| Marking scheme | Five marks for correct answer one mark deducted for wrong answer |
| Syllabus basis | NCERT Class twelve |
CUET UG 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before applying for CUET UG 2026 candidates must ensure that they fulfil the basic eligibility conditions. Meeting the eligibility criteria allows students to appear for the exam but does not guarantee admission as universities may have additional course specific requirements.
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Educational qualification | Passed or appearing in Class twelve or equivalent from a recognised board |
| Minimum marks | Generally forty five percent or as specified by the university |
| Age limit | No age limit for CUET UG |
| Nationality | Indian citizens NRI and OCI candidates are also eligible |
Students are strongly advised to check the official websites of the universities they are targeting for detailed eligibility conditions including subject combinations and minimum marks.
CUET UG 2026 Registration Process
The application process for CUET UG 2026 is entirely online. Candidates must submit their applications on the official website by the deadline. The registration procedure is explained step-by-step below.
Click the registration link after visiting the official CUET website. Read the instructions and information bulletin carefully. Enter personal information, including name, date of birth, address, and contact information. Choose a security question and create a password. After registering, use the application number that was generated to log in.
Next, enter your academic information, choose your subjects, pick your exam cities, and upload the necessary files, such as your signature and photo. Before submitting the final version, confirm every element.Pay the application fee using online payment modes such as debit card credit card net banking or UPI. After successful payment download and save the confirmation page for future reference.
CUET UG 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Up to three subjects | Each additional subject |
|---|---|---|
| General category | One thousand rupees | Four hundred rupees |
| OBC NCL and EWS | Nine hundred rupees | Three hundred seventy five rupees |
| SC ST PwBD Third gender | Eight hundred rupees | Three hundred fifty rupees |
| Centres outside India | Four thousand five hundred rupees | One thousand eight hundred rupees |
CUET UG 2026 Exam Pattern
Effective preparation requires an understanding of the exam format. CUET UG 2026 consists of three sections language test domain specific subjects and general aptitude test. All questions are compulsory.
| Section | Number of questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Fifty | Sixty minutes |
| Domain subject | Fifty | Sixty minutes |
| General aptitude test | Fifty | Sixty minutes |
CUET UG 2026 Syllabus
The CUET UG 2026 syllabus is based on the NCERT Class twelve curriculum. This makes it easier for board exam students to prepare simultaneously for CUET and board examinations.
| Section | Syllabus coverage |
|---|---|
| Language test | Reading comprehension literary aptitude vocabulary |
| Domain subjects | NCERT based syllabus of selected subjects such as physics chemistry mathematics biology accountancy economics history political science and others |
| General test | General knowledge current affairs numerical ability logical reasoning analytical ability quantitative reasoning up to Class eight level |
CUET UG 2026 Subject List
Candidates can choose up to five subjects from a total of thirty seven papers. These are divided into languages domain subjects and general aptitude test.
Languages
English Hindi Assamese Bengali Gujarati Kannada Malayalam Marathi Odia Punjabi Tamil Telugu Urdu
Domain Specific Subjects
Accountancy Agriculture Anthropology Biology Biotechnology Business Studies Chemistry Computer Science Economics Environmental Studies Fine Arts Geography History Home Science Mass Media Mathematics Performing Arts Physical Education Physics Political Science Psychology Sanskrit Sociology and others
General Aptitude Test
General knowledge current affairs numerical ability logical reasoning analytical reasoning general science environmental literacy
CUET UG 2026 Participating Universities
More than two hundred forty universities are participating in CUET UG 2026. These include central universities state universities deemed universities government institutions and private universities. Each university uses CUET scores according to its own admission policy subject mapping and cutoff criteria.
Students must check university specific admission portals after the declaration of results as there is no centralised counselling process for CUET UG.
CUET UG 2026 Answer Key and Result
The provisional answer key for CUET UG 2026 will be released on the official website after the exam. Candidates can check their recorded responses and raise objections by paying a nominal fee per question. After reviewing challenges the final answer key will be published.
The CUET UG 2026 result will be declared online. Candidates can download their scorecard using application number and password. The NTA score is valid only for the academic session 2026 to 2027.
CUET UG 2026 Cutoff
CUET UG cutoff marks are released by individual universities after the declaration of results. The cutoff depends on factors such as number of applicants difficulty level of exam number of seats reservation policies and previous year trends. Cutoff scores vary for each course and university.
CUET UG 2026 Counselling and Admission Process
There is no centralised counselling for CUET UG. Each participating university conducts its own counselling and seat allotment process. Candidates must register separately on the admission portal of each university submit CUET scores check merit lists and participate in counselling rounds.
Seat allotment is usually done in multiple rounds based on CUET score rank category and preferences. Candidates must accept the seat within the given deadline to confirm admission.
CUET Preparation Tips 2026
Start preparation early with a well planned timetable. Focus mainly on NCERT textbooks for domain subjects. Practice previous year style questions and mock tests regularly. Analyse mock test performance carefully and work on weak areas. Balance board exam preparation with CUET specific practice to avoid overload.
Frequently Asked Questions on CUET UG 2026
What is CUET UG 2026
CUET UG 2026 is a national level entrance exam conducted by NTA for undergraduate admissions in participating universities across India.
Is CUET mandatory for all universities
CUET is mandatory for central universities and many state and private universities but not all institutions.
How many subjects can I choose in CUET UG 2026
Candidates can choose a maximum of five subjects including language domain subjects and general aptitude test.
Is there any age limit for CUET UG
No there is no age limit to appear for CUET UG.
What is the official website of CUET
The official website is cuet dot nta dot nic dot in.
Is CUET UG syllabus based on NCERT
Yes the syllabus is primarily based on NCERT Class twelve curriculum.
How is CUET score used for admission
Universities use CUET scores to prepare merit lists and determine cutoff for various undergraduate courses.
CUET UG 2026 is a crucial opportunity for students aiming to secure admission in top universities. With proper planning consistent preparation and clear understanding of the exam structure students can significantly improve their chances of success.
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