|
Events
|
Dates
|
|
CUET 2026 notification release
|
First week of March 2026
|
|
Commencement of CUET registration 2026
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First week of March 2026
|
|
Last date to fill the CUET application form 2026
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Last week of March 2026
|
|
Last date to pay the CUET registration fee
|
Last week of March 2026
|
|
CUET UG 2026 correction window
|
Last week of March 2026
|
|
Release of CUET 2026 date sheet
|
Second week of April 2026
|
|
CUET UG 2026 intimation slip
|
First week of May 2026
|
|
Downloading of the CUET 2026 admit card.
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First week of May 2026
|
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CUET 2026 Exam Dates
|
May-June 2026
|
|
Release of provisional CUET answer key 2026
|
Third week of June 2026
|
|
CUET answer key 2026 challenge
|
To be notified
|
|
CUET 2026 final answer key
|
To be notified
|
|
CUET result 2026 declaration
|
Last week of July 2026
|
What is the Common University Entrance Test?
Admission to some programs at participating central universities in India requires passing the Central University Entrance Test (CUET). Students around the country can use the test to demonstrate their knowledge to admissions personnel and apply for undergraduate admission in a standardized manner.
Undergraduate (UG) programs are subject to testing. Every year, the computer-based exam is administered in more than 300 Indian and international locations. Depending on how many applicants are registered for the entrance exam, the CUET exam 2026 will be administered in several stages.
CUET Exam 2026 Key Highlights
For key elements or highlights of the CUET exam 2026, see the table below.
|
Particulars
|
Details
|
|
Exam Name
|
CUET
|
|
Full form
|
Common University Entrance Test
|
|
Conducting Body
|
National Testing Agency (NTA)
|
|
Exam Level
|
Undergraduate (UG)
|
|
Exam Frequency
|
Once a year
|
|
Exam Mode
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Computer-Based Test
|
|
Courses Offered Through CUET
|
UG and PG courses of state, central, private, and deemed universities
|
|
Exam Fees
|
· INR 1000 (General)
· INR 900 (OBC-NCL, EWS)
· INR 800 (SC, ST, PwD, and Transgender)
· INR 4500 (International centres)
* Up to 03 Subjects
|
|
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
|
|
Marking Scheme
|
· +5 for each correct answer
· -1 for each incorrect answer
|
|
Medium of Examination
|
13 languages – English, Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, Odia, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Urdu
|
|
Official Website
|
· cuet.nta.nic.in
|
|
Contact Details
|
011-69227700, 011-40759000
Email: cuet-ug@nta.ac.in
|
CUET 2026 Exam Pattern (Revised)
The CUET 2026 exam pattern will be updated by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in its official informational booklet and announcement. It was changed last year in 2025 and is expected to remain the same in 2026. A computer-based test, or CBT, will be used to administer the CUET exam 2026.
There are four sections of the test:
• Section 1A: Thirteen languages are included in this required portion. Candidates are free to choose any language.
• Section 1B: Candidates can select an extra language, such as French, Arabic, or German, which is optional.
• General Test: Evaluates cognitive abilities and general aptitude.
• Domain-Specific Subjects: Contains inquiries pertaining to the candidate's selected academic discipline.
Every exam question is worth five points. Negative marking is in effect, though, and each wrong response results in the deduction of one mark (-1).
Candidates are encouraged to finish their CUET registration 2026 as soon as possible and keep themselves informed about the CUET 2026 exam dates to guarantee a seamless experience.
The CUET 2026 exam pattern is shown in the table below, which includes the number of questions in each segment and their time.
|
CUET 2026 Exam Pattern
|
|
Section
|
Number of Questions
|
Duration of exam
|
|
Section IA (Language)
|
50 Questions
|
60 minutes
|
|
Section IB
|
|
Section II (Domain Subject)
|
50 Questions
|
|
Section III (General Test)
|
50 Questions
|
The CUET 2026 Marking Scheme
The disciplines chosen and the candidate's test slot determine the marking scheme for the CUET exam 2026. NTA states that the CUET 2026 marking scheme operates as follows:
• Correct Response: For each right or most appropriate response, you will receive five marks (+5).
• Incorrect Answer: For each wrong response, one mark (-1) will be subtracted.
• Unanswered Questions: No points will be awarded for questions that are left unanswered or marked for review.
• Multiple accurate Options: Candidates will gain 5 marks (+5) if they mark any of the multiple accurate options in a question.
• Every Option Is Correct: Each participant who answers the question correctly will receive five points (+5).
• Dropped Questions: All applicants will receive five points (+5) if a question is dropped or wrong.
CUET 2026 Syllabus
Together with the official announcement, the NTA will provide the CUET 2026 syllabus PDF for UG courses. The curriculum for NCERT Class 12 is in line with the syllabus. English, general aptitude, numerical aptitude/data interpretation, analytical skills, reasoning, and general knowledge are common subjects for the CUET UG 2026 exam.
Additionally, NTA will give students a thorough curriculum broken down by subject that they should adhere to prepare well.
Section-wise CUET 2026 Syllabus
The CUET 2026 syllabus or section-by-section question categories are shown in the following table.
|
Section
|
CUET 2026 Syllabus or Question Types
|
|
Section I – Language
|
Reading Comprehension – based on different types of passages–Factual, Literary, and Narrative, Literary Aptitude and Vocabulary (Language Syllabus CUET UG 2026 PDF)
|
|
Section II – Domain Subjects
|
CUET domain subject syllabus is based on the Class 12 Board exam syllabus
CUET 2026 Syllabus for UG Commerce Students
CUET 2026 Syllabus for UG Science Students
CUET 2026 Syllabus for UG Arts Students
|
|
Section III – General Test
|
General Knowledge, Current Affairs, General Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning (Simple application of basic mathematical concepts, arithmetic/algebra, geometry/mensuration/stat taught till Grade 8), Logical and Analytical Reasoning
|
CUET Exam 2026: Preparation Tips
To adequately prepare for the CUET exam 2026, candidates need to start by:
• Knowing the CUET 2026 exam pattern and CUET 2026 syllabus is crucial.
• Make a schedule to address topics and areas that need improvement.
• Concentrate on the key ideas of the chosen subject or subjects.
• Download last year's CUET UG question papers to see the kinds of questions that were asked.
• To evaluate your speed, accuracy, and degree of preparation, complete CUET practice exams.
The Best Books of CUET 2026
The top CUET books for 2026 assist candidates in preparing for the most anticipated CUET questions, key subjects, and exam format. Here is a selection of the top CUET 2026 books that applicants can use to get ready for the entrance exam:
|
Books
|
Authors/Publication
|
|
CUET Subject-Wise NCERT Books
|
NCERT
|
|
NTA CUET UG Mock test sample question papers
|
Oswaal
|
|
Books for Science subjects
|
S.Aggarwal
|
|
Books for Commerce subjects
|
S.Grewal
|
|
NCERT Exemplar for each domain subject
|
NCERT
|
|
Quantitative Aptitude
|
R.S Agarwal
|
CUET Mock Test
A key component of getting ready for the CUET UG 2026 is taking mock exams. Official CUET 2026 mock tests spanning a range of subjects and languages will be available online on the NTA website. Students might benefit from these practice exams, which are accessible on the official website:
• Learn the format of the test.
• Practice utilizing resources such as the calculator and virtual keyboard.
• Learn how to efficiently move between sections and questions.
You can also try practice exams created by specialists or coaching centers to improve your preparation even more. These assessments frequently match the anticipated degree of difficulty of the real exam.
CUET Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates must fulfil the CUET eligibility criteria set forth by NTA to apply for the CUET exam 2026. The CUET eligibility criteria 2026 are broken down simply as follows:
Basic Eligibility and Educational Requirements for CUET
• To be eligible for admission to Central University bachelor's degree programs, students must have finished Class 12 in Science or a related field from an accredited board.
• Students in Class 12 who are currently studying for their board examinations can also sign up.
To guarantee a seamless application procedure, keep an eye on the CUET registration 2026 process and make sure you are familiar with the CUET 2026 marking scheme and the CUET 2026 exam dates.
CUET 2026 Age Limit
The CUET exam 2026 does not have an age restriction. Candidates must, however, meet any age requirements set forth by the university, institution, or organization to which they wish to apply.
CUET Nationality Criteria
Candidates must follow these citizenship guidelines to be qualified to take the CUET Exam 2026:
• The applicant needs to be a citizen of India.
• A constituent subject of Nepal, Bhutan.
• A Tibetan refugee who arrived in India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of settling there permanently.
• Pakistanis, Burmese, Kenyans, Ugandans, Tanzanians, Zambians, Malawians, Zaireans, Ethiopians, and Vietnamese individuals who have made India their permanent home.
CUET Registration 2026
It is anticipated that CUET registration 2026 will open in March 2026. On the official website, students can complete the CUET application form 2026. Candidates must first register by entering basic information such as their name, address, and phone number. Login credentials will be generated after registration. Candidates can use these login credentials to finish filling out the CUET application form 2026.
Candidates must fill out the form with their academic and personal information, choose their program and exam city, and attach the necessary files. The CUET registration fee can be paid online using debit/credit cards, Net Banking, Paytm, or UPI after completing the CUET application form 2026. Important information, including the CUET 2026 exam dates, will shortly be posted on the official website.
The CUET registration fees for the various categories are displayed in the table below.
|
Category
|
Up to three subjects (Expected)
|
For each additional subject (Expected)
|
|
General UR
|
INR 1000
|
INR 400 each
|
|
OBC-NCL/EWS
|
INR 900
|
INR 375 each
|
|
SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender
|
INR 800
|
INR 350 Each
|
|
Centres outside India
|
INR 4500
|
INR 1800 each
|
CUET Application Form 2026 Procedure
The following easy steps are part of the CUET UG 2026 admissions process:
• Step 1: Complete the CUET application form 2026.
• Step 2: Download the CUET 2026 Admit Card
• Step 3: Take the CUET test.
• Step 4: Verify the CUET 2026 result
• Step 5: Take Part in CUET Counselling 2026
Documents required for the CUET application form 2026
|
List of Scanned Documents
|
Size
|
Format
|
|
Candidate's Photograph
|
10 kb to 200 kb
|
JPG/JPEG (with 80% face without mask)
|
|
Candidate's Signature
|
4 kb to 30 kb
|
JPG/JPEG
|
|
Scanned copy of category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS, etc.)
|
50 kb to 300 kb
|
PDF
|
|
Scanned copy of PwBD certificate
|
50 kb to 300 kb
|
PDF
|
CUET Application Form 2026 Correction Window
After applying, only registered candidates will be able to change the information during the correction window. Registered candidates may update their or their parents' or guardians' names, date of birth, gender, category, PWBD, and university preference during the CUET 2026 correction window.
Things you can change:
• Candidate Name
• Father Name
• Mother Name
• Photograph – Image Upload
• Signature – Image Upload
• Class 10/ equivalent details
• Class 12/ equivalent details
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Category
• PwBD
Statistics on CUET Registration
To view the CUET figures for 2025, 2024, 2023, and 2022, see the table below:
|
Features
|
2025
|
2024
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
Number of applicants (Fee paid)
|
13.6 lakhs
|
13.4 lakhs
|
14.9 lakhs
|
9.9 lakhs
|
|
Male candidates
|
7.1 lakhs
|
7.1 lakh
|
8.3 lakh
|
5.6 lakh
|
|
Female candidates
|
6.5 lakhs
|
6.3 lakh
|
6.6 lakh
|
4.3 lakh
|
CUET 2026 Exam Centre
It is anticipated that the CUET exam 2026 will take place in 285 Indian cities and 15 foreign cities. The CUET 2026 admit card will include the precise exam centre information. An advance notification slip with the city and state of the exam location will be given to candidates before this.
Candidates may select up to two exam cities when completing the CUET application form 2026. Last year, however, candidates had the option to choose from up to four cities. Every attempt will be made by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to locate the CUET 2026 exam centre in one of the selected cities.
CUET 2026 Date Sheet
Following the completion of the online CUET registration 2026, NTA issues the CUET 2026 date sheet, which specifies the subject-wise schedule and time based on the number of applicants who applied for the CUET exam. Candidates can study for the CUET exam 2026 by knowing the full schedule. Following the release of the CUET 2026 date sheet, the table below will be updated.
|
CUET UG Exam in CBT Mode
|
|
CUET 2026 Exam Dates
|
Shifts
|
Slot Time (Tentative)
|
CUET Subject/Code
|
|
To be announced
|
Shift 1
|
9 AM to 12 PM
|
To be updated
|
|
Shift 2
|
3 PM to 6 PM
|
To be updated
|
The CUET 2026 City Intimation Slip
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is anticipated to release the CUET UG 2026 city intimation slip in May 2026. This slip will only be available on the official website, cuet.ug.ntaonline.in, to candidates who have finished their CUET registration 2026.
The city and state where the exam centre will be located, as well as the CUET 2026 exam dates, are all listed on the city intimation slip.
That being said, this slip is not the admit card. Its main goal is to assist applicants with pre-planning their journey on the day of the test.
The ways to download the CUET UG 2026 exam city slip advance notification are as follows:
Step 1: Go to cuetug.ntaonline.in, the official CUET UG website.
Step 2: Enter your login information.
• Number of applications
• Password
• Captcha
Step 3: The candidate's dashboard will now appear on the screen.
Step 4: Select the "CUET UG City Intimation Slip" tab.
Step 5: The city notification slip will now appear on the screen.
Step 6: The CUET 2026 city notification slip is available for candidates to download and print for their records.
CUET 2026 Admit Card
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is anticipated to release the CUET 2026 admit card in May 2026. The CUET 2026 advance notification to the exam city slip will also be released by NTA before the hall ticket. This document includes the exam date, time, and paper details, as well as the name of the city where the exam centre is situated.
It is required that you bring the CUET 2026 admit card to the testing location. By using the registration credentials, you can download the CUET 2026 admit card. This page will include the direct download link for the CUET hall pass or admit card.
How to Get the CUET 2026 Admit Card?
You must go to the exam's official website to download the CUET 2026 admit card. Below are the instructions for downloading the CUET 2026 admit card:
• Go to https://nta.ac.in/, the official CUET 2026 website, or go straight to https://cuet.nta.nic.in/
• Select the Log in or Sign in link.
• Enter your application number and password for CUET 2026.
• Get the admission card in PDF format here.
• Get some printouts.
CUET Answer Key 2026
The tentative CUET answer key 2026 will be made available on the National Testing Agency's (NTA) official website, cuet.nta.nic.in. Together with the solutions that candidates provided throughout the test, this provisional CUET answer key contains the right answers to the questions.
Even before the official results are released, candidates can estimate their likely scores using the CUET answer key 2026 and their response sheets. By paying INR 200 for each question, a candidate can contest the provisional answer key if they discover any discrepancies. The CUET answer key will be changed in accordance with the findings of an expert panel's evaluation of the objections. The updated answer key will serve as the basis for the final result.
CUET 2026 Result
Scorecards for the CUET 2026 Result will be made available on the official website, cuet.nta.nic.in. By downloading the scorecard and entering their login information, candidates can view their results. The result will contain crucial information like:
• Candidate’s personal information
• Section-wise scores
• Overall scores and percentiles
• Cut-off marks
CUET UG Cut-off 2026
The participating universities will make their individual CUET 2026 cut-off scores public following the results announcement. The minimum scores needed to be admitted to particular courses are represented by these cut-offs. Although NTA offers a basic qualifying cut-off, each university establishes its own cut-offs according to criteria like:
• The CUET UG 2026 exam's degree of difficulty.
• How many applicants showed up for the exam?
• How many seats are available overall across all programs?
To find out the top NTA score for CUET UG last year, see the table below:
|
CUET Science Subject Name
|
Highest NTA Score (Out of 250)
|
|
Biology / Biological Science / Biotechnology / Biochemistry
|
249.70
|
|
Chemistry
|
247.64
|
|
Mathematics / Applied Mathematics
|
243.70
|
|
Physics
|
237.00
|
|
Computer Science / Information Practices
|
239.50
|
CUET Commerce Highest Score
|
CUET Commerce Subject Name
|
Highest NTA Score (Out of 250)
|
|
Business Studies
|
250.00
|
|
Accountancy/ Book Keeping
|
249.76
|
|
Economics/ Business Economics
|
244.45
|
CUET Arts Highest Score
|
CUET Arts Subject Name
|
Highest NTA Score (Out of 250)
|
|
Psychology
|
250
|
|
Geography/ Geology
|
250
|
|
Political Science
|
249.60
|
|
History
|
249.60
|
|
Sociology
|
245.40
|
|
English
|
241.96
|
What level of difficulty does the CUET UG exam have?
The CUET UG exam is often quite demanding. Depending on the candidate's level of preparation, the CUET UG difficulty level may change. The CUET UG exam is moderately demanding in comparison to the JEE Main and NEET exams. To determine the degree of difficulty of the CET UG exam, candidates should review the question papers and practice exams from prior years.
The Normalization Process for CUET 2026
There may be variations in the difficulty of the question papers because the CUET 2026 exam is administered in several shifts. The CUET normalization procedure is used to solve this and guarantee equity.
NTA normalizes raw scores for each subject across many shifts using the equi-percentile approach. This guarantees that applicants who tried more difficult question sets won't be at a disadvantage. Each subject undergoes the normalization procedure independently; however, subjects conducted in a single shift are exempt.
To successfully prepare, candidates should finish their CUET registration 2026 in advance and comprehend the marking method.
CUET 2026 Counselling
Following the results announcement, each participating institute will individually organize the CUET UG 2026 counseling. Depending on the scores of eligible applicants, the institutes will release their merit lists.
Three rounds are usually included in the counseling process, while the exact number of rounds may change based on seat availability. Candidates must visit the designated institution and complete document verification after the seat allocation is made public to confirm their admission.
Some institutions may use interview rounds in place of counseling for particular programs. NTA will provide information regarding these exceptions in the official CUET 2026 information pamphlet.
Candidates must do the following at this time:
• Complete the CUET 2026 counselling form.
• Apply for the course and college of your choice.
• Send in your CUET 2026 results.
• Attend the counseling session as scheduled.
Colleges Taking Scores from CUET 2026
The participating universities for CUET UG 2026 are divided into various groups. The categories of universities that accept CUET UG 2026 scores are listed in the following table, along with the number of universities in each category.
|
University Type
|
Number of CUET UG 2026 Participating Institutes
|
|
Central University
|
44 (Approx.)
|
|
State University
|
36 (Approx.)
|
|
Deemed University
|
29 (Approx.)
|
|
Private University
|
110 (Approx.)
|
|
Other University
|
3 (Approx.)
|
CUET UG 2026 FAQs
Q1. Are the CUET 2026 exam dates announced?
The CUET 2026 exam dates will be announced on https://cuet.nta.nic.in/ by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The CUET 2026 exam dates are anticipated to take place in May 2026. Depending on how many applicants are registered, the exam will be held in several sessions each day.
Q2. When will the CUET registration 2026 begin?
CUET Registration 2026 will open at https://cuet.nta.nic.in/ in March 2026. To take the test, candidates who want to enroll in undergraduate programs in Central, State, Private, or Deemed colleges must finish the online application form. Only those who have enrolled will be permitted to take the test on time.
Q3. How is the location for the CUET exam determined?
Subject to availability, the CUET exam centre is assigned based on the preferences indicated during CUET 2026 enrolment. When filling out the CUET UG 2026 form, candidates can choose two cities from their present or permanent address.
Q4: Will the CUET 2026 result depend on Class 12 grades?
The CUET UG 2026 scores do not take into account Class 12 grades. To be eligible for the university admissions procedure, applicants must, however, receive an overall Class 12 score of at least 50%.
Q5. What is the CUET exam's degree of difficulty?
The CUET UG 2026 exam typically has a moderate to challenging difficulty level. Because there are several courses and time slots available, the exam's difficulty can differ by subject or even by time slot. Furthermore, the exam's complexity is arbitrary; depending on how well-prepared a candidate is, what may be challenging for one may be simple for another.