CUET UG EXAM 2026

Ankita Nandi

CUET UG Exam: Complete Information

● What is CUET UG Exam?

The Common University Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or CUET UG, is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It is a mandatory test for students seeking admission into undergraduate programs at all Central Universities (like DU, JNU, BHU, and Visva-Bharati) as well as many State, Deemed, and Private universities across India. The goal of CUET is to provide a single-window opportunity for all students, eliminating the need for multiple entrance tests and the pressure of extremely high Class 12 board cut-offs.

● CUET UG Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility rules are straightforward, but you must check the specific requirements of your target university as well:

  • Educational Qualification: You must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination from a recognized board. Students appearing for their Class 12 exams in 2026 are also eligible to apply.
  • Age Limit: As per NTA, there is no specific upper age limit for appearing in the exam. However, individual universities may have their own age criteria for specific courses.
  • Minimum Marks: Most universities require at least 50% marks in Class 12 for General candidates and 45% for SC/ST/OBC candidates. Some universities only require a "Pass" in Class 12.
  • Subject Mapping: It is highly recommended to choose subjects in CUET that you have already studied in Class 12. Many top universities (like Delhi University) will only consider your score in subjects that you appeared for in your Board exams.

● CUET UG Exam Pattern

The exam is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) and consists of objective-type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

  • Section IA & IB (Languages): Tests your language proficiency. There are 13 Indian languages (including Bengali) and 20 Foreign languages. You need to attempt 40 out of 50 questions.
  • Section II (Domain-Specific Subjects): There are 27 subjects (e.g., Physics, History, Accountancy). You choose the subjects relevant to your higher studies. You must attempt 40 out of 50 questions.
  • Section III (General Test): Optional for some courses but mandatory for many others (like BBA or Vocational). It covers GK, Current Affairs, and Logic. You must attempt 50 out of 60 questions.
  • Marking Scheme: You get +5 for every correct answer. There is a negative marking of -1 for every wrong answer. Unattempted questions get 0.

● CUET UG Syllabus Overview

The syllabus is designed to be student-friendly and is based on your current school curriculum:

● CUET UG Application Form – Important Dates (2026)

Based on the official 2026 notification:

  • Online Application Starts: January 3, 2026.
  • Last Date to Apply: January 30, 2026 (up to 11:50 PM).
  • Last Date for Fee Payment: January 31, 2026.
  • Correction Window: February 2 – February 4, 2026.
  • Exam Dates: May 11 – May 31, 2026.

● Requirements for CUET UG Registration

Keep the following scanned documents ready before you start:

  • Personal Info: A valid mobile number and a personal email ID (for OTP and updates).
  • Photograph: Recent passport-size photo (10kb–200kb, JPEG format).
  • Signature: Scanned signature in black ink (4kb–30kb, JPEG format).
  • Certificates: Class 10 & 12 marksheet and Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) if applicable (PDF format, 50kb–300kb).
  • ID Proof: Aadhaar Card is the most preferred document.

● How to Fill CUET UG Application Form (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these steps carefully to ensure your form is not rejected:

  1. Registration: Go to the official portal and click 'New Registration'. Fill in your name and contact details to get an Application Number.
  2. Login: Use the Application Number and the password you created to log in.
  3. Application Details: Enter personal info, parent's details, and educational background.
  4. University & Course Selection: Select the Universities and the specific Courses you want to join. You can select multiple universities at no extra cost.
  5. Test Paper Selection: Choose the Languages and Domain subjects you want to be tested in. Ensure they match your Class 12 subjects for better eligibility.
  6. Exam City Preference: Select 4 cities near your home as your preferred exam centers.
  7. Upload Documents: Upload your scanned photo, signature, and certificates.
  8. Fee Payment: Pay the fee online via Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, or UPI.
  9. Download Confirmation: Download and print the Confirmation Page. Your application is incomplete without this.

● CUET UG Application Fee

The fee is calculated based on the number of subjects you choose:

  • General (UR): ₹1000 for up to 3 subjects. ₹400 for each additional subject.
  • OBC-NCL / EWS: ₹900 for up to 3 subjects. ₹375 for each additional subject.
  • SC / ST / PwBD: ₹800 for up to 3 subjects. ₹350 for each additional subject.

● CUET UG Admit Card

The Admit Card is usually released in the first week of May. It contains your exam center address, shift timings, and reporting time. You must carry a printed copy of the Admit Card and a valid original ID proof to the exam center.

● CUET UG Result & Scorecard

Results are typically declared in June. Your marks are converted into a Normalized Score (NTA Score) to ensure that students appearing in different shifts are graded fairly. This scorecard is used for the final admission process.

● CUET UG Counselling Process

NTA only conducts the exam; it does not handle the admissions. After the results:

  1. You must apply separately to the official portal of each university you selected (e.g., DU's CSAS portal).
  2. You will fill in your "Preferences" (the order of colleges and courses you want).
  3. Seats will be allotted based on your CUET Score and your preference list.

● Benefits of CUET UG

  • Equal Platform: Every student, whether from a village or a city, gets the same question paper and opportunity.
  • Bye-Bye 99% Cut-offs: Admissions are based on your entrance score, so a slightly lower board percentage won't stop you from entering top colleges.
  • One Exam, Many Options: You don't have to travel to different cities for 10 different university exams.

● Important Official Websites & Registration Links

For any official updates, registration, or downloading documents, students and parents should strictly use only the following verified government portals:

● Conclusion

CUET UG 2026 represents the most significant shift in the Indian higher education system, moving away from the "Cut-off Culture" to a "Merit-Based Entry" system. It offers a golden opportunity for every Class 12 student to enter world-class institutions like Delhi University, BHU, or JNU based on their actual subject knowledge rather than just board percentages.

Success in this exam is not about solving complex, out-of-syllabus questions; it is about mastering your NCERT Class 12 textbooks and being extremely careful during the application process. A single mistake in subject mapping or university selection can disqualify you from your dream course, so always refer to the official website links provided above. Stay focused, practice mock tests on the NTA portal, and start your journey toward a premier university with confidence.

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Ankita Nandi
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