The CUET Test Pattern gives you all the information you need to get ready for the test, including the format, languages, marking scheme, syllabus, and more. The exam will be given online as a computer-based test according to the CUET 2026 Test Pattern. The duration of each exam is 60 minutes, but it might differ depending on the subject or course a candidate chooses.
The CUET 2026 Question Paper will have objective-style questions. 13 languages—Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Gujarati, Odia, Bengali, Assamese, Punjabi, English, Hindi, and Urdu—are available for candidates to use when taking the entrance exam.
The following 3 sections make up CUET 2026, according to the CUET exam Pattern 2026.
However, you are not required to choose one choice from each section. Candidates should make sure that their choices meet the requirements of the colleges they want to attend.
Key features and changes of the CUET 2026 Exam Pattern
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Five Subject Selection: Instead of six subjects, students can select five.
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No Subject Restrictions: As long as the subject was covered in class twelve, students are free to choose any subject.
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Exam Length: There will be a 60-minute exam for each subject.
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Fewer Subjects: The CUET UG 2026 test will feature 37 subjects instead of the previous 63.
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No Optional Questions: This year, there are no more optional questions; students must answer every question.
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No more foreign languages
Key Subjects Removed
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One of the most important chapters, Financial Markets, has been eliminated.
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Previously known as Business Finance, Financial Management Remnant.
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Fashion studies, tourism, engineering graphics, legal studies, teaching aptitude, and entrepreneurship were dropped as domain subjects.
Highlights of the CUET 2026 Exam Pattern
The CUET Exam Pattern 2026 is a crucial component. Before beginning their preparation, candidates should be thoroughly familiar with the exam format.
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Particulars |
Details |
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Exam Mode |
Online (Computer-Based Test) |
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Exam Duration |
Slot 1: 3 Hours 15 Minutes
Slot 2: 3 Hours 45 Minutes
(May vary as per the choice of sections)
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Number of Sections |
3 Sections (Section I, II, and III) |
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Marking Scheme |
Wrong Answer: - 1 Unanswered questions: 0 |
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Level of Exam |
Class 12th |
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Total Number of Questions |
50 |
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Negative Marking |
+5 for each correct answer
-1 for each incorrect answer
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Participating Institutes |
300+ (UG) and 185+ (PG) |
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Medium of Language |
13 Languages (Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, English, Marathi, Gujarati, Odia, Bengali, Assamese, Kannada, Malayalam Hindi, and Urdu) |
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Total Subjects Chosen |
Maximum 5 Subjects |
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Total Subjects |
37 |
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Total Marks |
250 |
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Domain Subject |
23 |
Section-wise CUET exam pattern 2026
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Sections |
Subjects/Tests |
No. of Questions |
Duration |
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Section IA |
13 Languages |
50 (Must Attempt All) |
60 minutes |
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Section II |
27 Domain-specific Subjects |
50 (Must Attempt All) |
60 minutes |
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Section III |
General Test |
50 (Must Attempt All) |
60 minutes |
CUET Syllabus
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Sections
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Syllabus
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Section IA - Languages
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Reading Comprehension (based on different types of passages–Factual, Literary, and Narrative, [Literary Aptitude and Vocabulary]
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Section II - Domain
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Input text can be used for MCQ-based questions
MCQs based on NCERT Class XII syllabus only
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Section III - General Test
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Input text can be used for MCQ-based questions
General Knowledge, Current Affairs, General Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning (Simple application of basic mathematical concepts, arithmetic/algebra, geometry/mensuration/s tat taught till Grade 8), Logical and Analytical Reasoning
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CUET 2026 Exam Pattern: Sectional Information
Section I : There are 13 different languages listed under Section I. You may select any of them. To evaluate language, literary aptitude, vocabulary, and reading comprehension (based on a variety of passage types, including factual, literary, and narrative ones) will be used.
Section II : This section covers 27 domain-specific topics. According to the preferences of the relevant university or universities, an applicant may choose up to 5 domains.
Section III includes the general test for every undergraduate program offered by colleges that require it for admission. The topics covered in these sections include general knowledge, current events, general mental ability, numerical ability, and quantitative reasoning (simple application of fundamental mathematical concepts taught through Grade 8, including logical and analytical reasoning, arithmetic, algebraic geometry, and measurement).
Languages Based on the 2026 CUET Exam Pattern
According to the CUET Exam Pattern 2026, Section I includes 13 languages, including the following:
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Tamil
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Telugu
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Kannada
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Malayalam
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Marathi
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Gujarati
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Odia
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Bengali
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Assamese
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Punjabi
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English
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Hindi
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Urdu
Domain Specific Topics Based on the CUET Exam Format for 2026
According to the CUET Exam Pattern 2026, Section II includes a total of 27 domain-specific subjects from which students can choose up to 5 subjects, including the following:
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Accountancy/Bookkeeping
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Biology/ Biological Studies/ Biotechnology/Biochemistry
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Business Studies
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Chemistry
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Computer Science/ Informatics Practices
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Economics/ Business Economics
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Geography/Geology
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History
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Home Science
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Knowledge, Tradition, and Practices of India
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Environmental Science
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Mathematics
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Physical Education/ NCC /Yoga
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Physics
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Political Science
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Psychology
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Sociology
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Agriculture
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Mass Media/ Mass Communication
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Anthropology
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Fine Arts/ Visual Arts (Sculpture/ Painting)/Commercial Arts
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Performing Arts – (i) Dance (Kathak/ Bharatnatyam/ Odissi/ Kathakali/Kuchipudi/ Manipuri (ii) Drama- Theater (iii) Music General (Hindustani/ Carnatic/ Rabindra Sangeet/ Percussion/ Non-Percussion)
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Sanskrit
Understand the CUET UG syllabus
Language and domain subjects are included in the CUET UG syllabus along with the CUET general test syllabus. Take a look at the table below.
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Section/ Subject
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Syllabus Details
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General Aptitude Test (UG)
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Covers Quantitative Reasoning, Numerical Ability, General Mental Ability, Logical and Analytical Reasoning, General Knowledge, and Current Affairs
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Physics
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Includes topics such as Optics, Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetic Effects of Current, Electromagnetic Induction, Alternating Current, Electronic Devices, Atoms and Nuclei, Electromagnetic Waves, Dual Nature of Matter, and Communication Systems
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Chemistry
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Covers Solid State, Solutions, Surface Chemistry, Polymers, Coordination Compounds, Chemical Kinetics, Electrochemistry, Isolation of Elements, Organic Chemistry topics like Aldehydes, Ketones, Carboxylic Acids, Haloalkanes, Phenols, Nitrogen Compounds, Biomolecules, and Chemistry in Daily Life
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Biology
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Reproduction, Genetics and Evolution, Biology and Human Welfare, Biotechnology and its Applications, Ecology and Environment
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Computer Science
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Includes Database Concepts, SQL, Computer Networks, Python (File Handling and Exception Handling), Data Structures such as Stack and Queue, Sorting and Searching, Data Handling using Pandas, Data Visualisation using Matplotlib, Data Communication, and Security Concepts
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Political Science
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Covers Political Theory, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and the Indian Political System
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History
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Encompasses Ancient, Medieval, and Modern History, Cultural Developments, Political and Economic Changes, Religious Traditions, Architecture, such as Hampi, Buddhist heritage like Sanchi, and Bhakti-Sufi movements
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Geography
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Includes Human Geography, Population and Resources, Transport and Communication, Economic Activities, Human Settlements, and India’s demographic and economic structure
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Business Studies
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Covers Principles of Management, Business Environment, Planning, Organising, Staffing, Directing, Controlling, Marketing, Financial Markets, Consumer Protection, and Entrepreneurship Development
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Accountancy
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Includes Partnership Accounting, Not-for-Profit Accounting, Financial Statement Analysis, Share and Debenture Accounting, Computerised Accounting Systems, DBMS applications, and Financial Position Statements
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English
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Focuses on Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Verbal Ability, Sentence Rearrangement, Synonyms and Antonyms, Narrative Skills, and Correct Word Usage
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General Aptitude Test
Candidates may choose to use this section for discontinued topics, vocational, open eligibility, cross-stream, and any other relevant undergraduate courses. Students can choose this optional topic if the university requires it.
Vital Information about the CUET Exam Format for 2026
The candidates' language proficiency will be evaluated in Section I of the language-based sections using passages of a literary, factual, or narrative nature.
Maximum Subjects: The total number of languages that applicants may select from Section I is one. Candidates will be required to select a maximum of 5 subjects from the 27 available options in Part II. This will be based on the requirements set forth by the relevant university.
Difficulty Level: The CUET 2026 sections' levels of difficulty will be based on the Class 12th curriculum.
Maximum Number of Attempts- If the candidate's particular university allows Class 12th students from the previous year to take the CUET 2026 exam, then those candidates may also choose to take the test.
Schedule of Exam: Depending on the number of applicants and the languages/Tests they took, CUET 2026 will be administered over several days in two shifts.
CUET 2026 Marking System
The participating students will obtain scores out of 100 marks per the CUET 2026 marking scheme established by NTA. There will be 100 questions altogether, with 1 mark awarded for each correct answer and 0.25 points subtracted for each incorrect one.
Neglecting a question will not result in a loss of marks; however, providing an incorrect answer will result in a deduction of 0.25 marks. You may view the precise CUET 2026 marking scheme in the table below.
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Correct Answer
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1 mark will be awarded to students
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Incorrect Answer
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0.25 mark will be deducted
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No Answer
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0 marks will be awarded
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Conclusion
This comprehensive CUET (Common University Entrance Test) handbook helps students succeed in a variety of areas. In order to prepare students who are applying to more than 400 Indian colleges, the course is organized into language, domain-specific, and general exams.
Candidates may be better able to arrange their studies and accomplish their goals if they are aware of the CUET subject-wise syllabus breakdown mentioned above. Keep up with the NTA's CUET 2026 curriculum PDF release and begin preparing strategically to pass.
CUET 2026 Exam Pattern FAQs
Q1. What is the CUET exam pattern?
The 3 sections of CUET 2026 will be Languages, Domain-specific, and General Knowledge. Section I: Thirteen Languages: Twenty Languages comprise the two subparts of the language section.
Q2. What kinds of questions will be included in the CUET 2026 exam?
In the CUET 2026 exam, multiple-choice questions will be asked. The number of questions for each section is 50. 250 is the overall score in the CUET.
Q3. How many subjects can a candidate choose for the CUET 2026 exam?
Examinees for the CUET 2026 can choose from 37 different subjects.
Q4. What kinds of questions are on the CUET exam?
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) are the format of the questions on the Computer-Based Test (CBT) section of the CUET 2026.
Q5. Does CUET have any negative markings?
Yes, in the CUET entrance exam 2026, wrong answers will result in the deduction of 1 mark.
Q6. How are 800 marks divided in CUET?
A CUET score of 800 is typically determined using four subjects (one Language and three Domain subjects), each worth 200 marks, for a total score of 800. There are 50 questions in each subject, of which 40 must be answered.
Q7. What has changed for the CUET 2026 exam?
Significant modifications have been made to the CUET UG 2026 exam, such as a reduction in the number of subjects from 63 to 37, a switch to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) modality, and a five-subject selection limit.
Q8. Has the CUET (UG) 2026 exam city notification slip been made available by NTA?
Yes, the test city notification slip for CUET (UG) 2026 has been made available by NTA on April 29, 2026.
Q9. How many CUET UG attempts are permitted?
The answer is that CUET UG is held once a year. As long as they fulfill the eligibility requirements each time, candidates may make repeated appearances in various years.
Q10. How many subjects are available for the CUET 2026 exam?
Candidates may choose up to five subjects for the CUET 2026 exam.