The National Testing Agency (NTA) administers CUET, a single entrance exam for undergraduate admission to central and participating universities. CUET assesses students' topic knowledge, reasoning skills, and language ability due to its competitive nature and nationwide reach.
For students aspiring to get admission to esteemed Indian colleges, the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) has become a game-changer. With CUET 2026 quickly approaching, it's critical to fully comprehend the syllabus, exam structure, study techniques, and other requirements to ace it.
Everything you need to succeed in CUET 2026 is included in this thorough guide.
CUET UG 2026 registration is now closed. The exam for admission to several central and state institutions in 2026 for BBA, B.Com, BJMC, BCA, B.Tech, and B.A. programs would be open to those who completed their form by the deadline.
See the table below for important components or highlights of the CUET exam 2026.
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Particulars
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Details
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Exam Name
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CUET
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Full form
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Common University Entrance Test
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Conducting Body
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National Testing Agency (NTA)
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Exam Level
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Undergraduate (UG)
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Exam Frequency
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Once a year
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Exam Mode
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Computer-Based Test
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Courses Offered Through CUET
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UG and PG courses of state, central, private, and deemed universities
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Exam Fees
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· INR 1000 (General)
· INR 900 (OBC-NCL, EWS)
· INR 800 (SC, ST, PwD, and Transgender)
· INR 4500 (International centres)
* Up to 03 Subjects
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Exam Duration
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· Slot I – 9 AM to 11 AM
· Slot II – 12.30 PM to 2 PM
· Slot III – 4 PM to 5.30 PM
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Marking Scheme
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· +5 for each correct answer
· -1 for each incorrect answer
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Medium of Examination
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13 languages – English, Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, Odia, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Urdu
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Official Website
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· cuet.nta.nic.in
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Contact Details
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011-69227700, 011-40759000
Email: cuet-ug@nta.ac.in
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Exam Slot Timing
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CUET 2026 Slot
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CUET 2026 Timing
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Slot 1
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To be announced
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Slot 2
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To be announced
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Slot 3
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To be announced
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Who can apply for the CUET 2026 Exam?
The National Testing Agency (NTA) defines and releases the academic and professional requirements for candidates who wish to take the exam. Each candidate must ensure that they meet the requirements before they plan to apply.
Candidates should be aware that to apply for the CUET exam, they must meet the minimal academic and personal requirements outlined in the CUET 2026 eligibility criteria.
On its official website, NTA offered the CUET exam structure, syllabus, and prerequisites. It is unlikely that the prerequisites for the forthcoming test will alter.
Please be advised that, regardless of CUET scores, each college and institution has its own set of conditions to qualify students for admission. Make sure to check the official website of the university you have selected to see if they are eligible to apply.
To apply for the CUET exam in 2026, candidates must meet the NTA's CUET eligibility requirements. The following is a straightforward summary of the CUET eligibility requirements for 2026:
Basic CUET Eligibility and Educational Requirements
• Students must complete Class 12 in Science or a similar subject from a recognized board to be admitted to Central University's bachelor's degree programs.
• Class 12 students who are presently preparing for their board exams are also eligible to register.
Keep an eye on the CUET registration 2026 process and make sure you are aware of the CUET 2026 exam dates and grading scheme to ensure a smooth application process.
Age Restrictions
Applicants of all age groups are acceptable for CUET UG. However, in order to apply, candidates must fulfil any age limitations specified by the university, institution, or organization.
Nationality Criteria
To be eligible to sit the CUET Exam in 2026, candidates must adhere to certain citizenship requirements:
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The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
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Bhutan is a component of Nepal.
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A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, to become a permanent resident.
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Foreigners who are permanent residents of India from countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Pakistan, Burma, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Vietnam, Zaire, and Ethiopia.
How to register for CUET 2026?
The application window is closed. The CUET registration 2026 opened on January 3, 2026, and was originally planned to conclude on January 30, 2026, but due to the continuous influx of applicants extended till February 4, 2026, up to 9:00 PM.
The last date to pay the fee was also extended to February 7, and the correction window remained active from February 9 to 11, 2026, to allow candidates to make corrections in their submitted forms.
However, NTA reopened the application window once again on February 23 and finally closed it on February 26, 2026, at 11:50 PM. The application fee remained the same as last year.
Check out the various steps applicants need to go through to complete the application form.
Step 1: Sign Up
The first step in completing the CUET 2026 form is to register with your initials. Students who have successfully registered for CUET 2026 can complete the CUET form after completing their CUET login.
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Go to the registration page on the website.
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Choose a password and security pin, then enter your personal information.
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For verification, fill out the OTP that was sent to your mobile device.
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To finish the application, write down your CUET login credentials.
Login to CUET 2026
Make a note of it, then go to the official website and input your login details to access your own dashboard. Your email address will serve as your username, and the password you choose during registration will serve as your password.
Enter your username and password to access your dashboard and finish your application. If you've forgotten your password, you can reset it using your registered email address or mobile number.
Step 2: Complete the application.
To access your own dashboard on the NTA website, enter your CUET 2026 login information.
In your application, provide your personal details, the results of your 12th-grade exam, your educational history, your residential address, the course and university you have chosen, your preferred testing location, etc.
Step 3: Upload your documents
Students must submit their passport-size photo, scanned declaration, Aadhaar card, signature, and academic certifications.
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The most recent image should be in colour or black and white, with 80% face visibility on a white backdrop (without glasses, cap, or mask).
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Photos and signatures should be in a JPG or JPEG file.
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The file size of your scanned documents shouldn’t be less than 10 KB, and should also not exceed 200 KB.
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The file size of your scanned signature should be between 4 and 30 KB.
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The file size of your scanned copies of category or PwD certificates must fall between 50 and 300 KB.
Step 4: Fee payment
Candidates must pay the applicable examination fee after completing Steps 1 and 2. Only online payment methods such as Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card, or UPI are accepted.
If the fee is not paid, application forms will not be accepted. Therefore, make sure to cover the expense prior to the deadline, which is most likely the last week of March 2026.
To determine the fee schedule that applies to various student groups and course options, look at the table below.
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Category
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A Maximum of 3 subjects
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For every new subject added
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General UR
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INR 1000
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INR 400 each
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OBC-NCL/EWS
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INR 900
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INR 375 each
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SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender
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INR 800
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INR 350 Each
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Centres outside India
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INR 4500
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INR 1800 each
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Step 5: Take a Print Out
Make sure to obtain a hard copy of your registration form and the fee receipt for your records after submitting it and paying the required amount.
Documents required for the CUET application form 2026
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List of Scanned Documents
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Format
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Size
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Passport-Size Photograph
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JPG/JPEG (with 80% face without mask)
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10 kb to 200 kb
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Signature
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JPG/JPEG
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4 kb to 30 kb
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Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS, etc.)
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PDF
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50 kb to 300 kb
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PwBD certificate
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PDF
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50 kb to 300 kb
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CUET Application Form 2026 Correction Window
Those who successfully applied for the exam before the extended date of February 4, 2026, and paid their fee by February 7, 2026, were allowed to make changes in their form from February 9 to 11, 2026, up to 11:50 PM.
During this period, candidates had access to correction facilities to fix any discrepancies in the form that remained either unnoticed or wrongly entered. This facility is provided to mitigate the risk of getting the forms rejected due to minor issues.
The NTA reopened the application for new registrations only on February 23 and closed it on February 26, 2026.
Things you can change:
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Candidate Name
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Father Name
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Mother Name
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Photograph – Image Upload
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Signature – Image Upload
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Class 10/ equivalent details
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Class 12/ equivalent details
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Date of Birth
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Gender
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Category
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PwBD
Breaking down the CUET 2026 Exam Pattern
The National Testing Agency (NTA) published the CUET 2026 exam pattern in its official announcement and explanatory booklet on January 3, 2026. It was revised in 2025 and stayed the same in 2026.
The CUET exam 2026 will be administered using a computer-based examination, or CBT.
The test is divided into four sections:
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Section 1A: This mandatory section contains thirteen languages. Candidates can choose whatever language they use to attend the exam.
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Section 1B: The ability to select an additional language, such as French, Arabic, or German, is no longer available to candidates. All 20 foreign languages have been eliminated from the CUET UG 2026 topic list by NTA.
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General Test: Assesses general aptitude and cognitive skills.
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Domain-Specific Subjects: Contains questions about the academic field that the candidate has chosen.
The table below displays the format of the CUET 2026 exam, along with the number and duration of questions in each section.
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CUET 2026 Exam Pattern
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Section
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Number of Questions
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Duration of exam
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Section IA (Language)
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50 Questions
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60 minutes
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Section IB
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Section II (Domain Subject)
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50 Questions
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Section III (General Test)
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50 Questions
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Breaking down the CUET Marking Scheme
The CUET exam 2026 marking structure is determined by the candidate's test slot and the subjects they have selected. According to NTA, the CUET 2026 marking scheme functions as follows:
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Correct Response: You will receive five points (+5) for each correct or most acceptable response.
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Inaccurate Response: One mark (-1) will be deducted for each incorrect response.
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Unanswered Questions: Questions that are marked for review or left unanswered will not receive any points.
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Multiple Accurate answers: If a candidate marks any of the multiple accurate answers in a question, they will receive five extra points.
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Every Option Is Correct: Five points (+5) will be awarded to each participant who correctly answers the question.
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Dropped Questions: If a question is incorrect or dropped, all applicants will receive five points (+5).
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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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Subject-by-Subject Breakdown of CUET 2026 Syllabus
The CUET 2026 syllabus PDF for UG courses was made available by the NTA along with the formal announcement. The NCERT Class 12 curriculum aligns with the syllabus.
Common subjects for the CUET UG 2026 exam include English, general aptitude, numerical aptitude/data interpretation, analytical capabilities, reasoning, and general knowledge.
CUET UG Syllabus 2026
• Accountancy
• Agriculture
• Anthropology
• Biology
• Business Studies
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Engineering Graphics
• English
• Environmental Studies
• Geography
• General Test
• Home Science
• Language
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Political Science
• Sociology
Section-wise CUET 2026 Syllabus
The following table displays the CUET 2026 syllabus or section-by-section question categories.
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Section
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CUET 2026 Syllabus or Question Types
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Section I – Language
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Reading Comprehension – based on different types of passages–Factual, Literary, and Narrative, Literary Aptitude and Vocabulary (Language Syllabus CUET UG 2026 PDF)
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Section II – Domain Subjects
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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
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Section III – General Test
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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
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Important Tips to Crack the CUET Exam 2026
Candidates should familiarize themselves with the CUET 2026 Preparation Tips before beginning to prepare for the exam. We've covered a few CUET preparation tips in this post. NCERT books can help students get ready for CUET 2026, which
will be based on coursework from grades 11 and 12.
If students are well-prepared and in good health, they can ace the CUET 2026 exam. The best tips for preparing for the CUET 2026 are listed below.
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Purchase the necessary books & study materials from NCERT for CUET 2026.
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Learn the syllabus and exam format by heart.
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Create and adhere to a revision schedule.
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Examine sample papers and take practice tests. Track your progress and tie up the loose ends.
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Eat a balanced diet and get a good night's sleep to maintain your physical health.
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To get a sense of the questions, look over last year's papers.
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Focus on challenging topics and improve areas of weakness.
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Try to complete your topics and syllabus a few days before the test.
CUET Exam Books for Easy Prep and High Scores
The best CUET books for 2026 help applicants be ready for the most anticipated CUET questions, important topics, and exam pattern. The best CUET 2026 books are listed below to help candidates prepare for the entrance exam:
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Books
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Authors/Publication
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CUET Subject-Wise NCERT Books
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NCERT
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NTA CUET UG Mock test sample question papers
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Oswaal
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Books for Science subjects
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S.Aggarwal
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Books for Commerce subjects
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S.Grewal
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NCERT Exemplar for each domain subject
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NCERT
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Quantitative Aptitude
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R.S Agarwal
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Assess Your Exam Preparedness with CUET Mock Tests
One of the most important aspects of CUET preparation is practicing mock exams. Many experts and top students believe that pupils who routinely prepare for multiple mock tests will outperform those who do not.
A few days prior to the exam, the CUET UG 2026 mock tests will be made accessible on multiple platforms. It is recommended that applicants take the mock tests by visiting the official CUET website.
Students may find these mock tests useful. They might help you to:
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Get an idea of the exam format.
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Get comfortable using tools like the virtual keyboard and calculator.
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Acquire the ability to switch between questions and sections with efficiency.
To further enhance your preparation, you can attempt mock tests designed by experts or coaching facilities. These tests often correspond to the expected level of difficulty of the actual exam.
Statistics on CUET Registration
See the table below to see the CUET numbers for 2025, 2024, 2023, and 2022:
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Features
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2025
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2024
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2023
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2022
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Number of applicants (Fee paid)
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13.6 lakhs
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13.4 lakhs
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14.9 lakhs
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9.9 lakhs
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Male candidates
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7.1 lakhs
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7.1 lakh
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8.3 lakh
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5.6 lakh
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Female candidates
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6.5 lakhs
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6.3 lakh
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6.6 lakh
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4.3 lakh
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CUET 2026 Exam Centre
306 Indian locations and 15 foreign places will host the CUET exam in 2026. The exact exam centre details will be on the CUET 2026 admission card. Candidates will receive an advance notice slip with the state and city of the exam location prior to this.
When filling out the CUET application form 2026, candidates may choose up to two exam cities. However, applicants may select from up to four cities last year.
How Can I Choose the City for the 2026 CUET Exam?
To enter the CUET exam centre, candidates taking the Common University Entrance Test must follow the instructions below:
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Go to the CUET 2026 webpage.
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Choose two cities in your chosen order in the Exam City Preference part of the CUET 2026 application form.
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Pay the application fee to finish the application procedure.
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During the rectification window, applicants can change the preferred exam city.
When will the CUET 2026 Date Sheet be released?
The CUET 2026 date sheet, which details the subject-wise schedule and time based on the number of applicants who applied for the CUET exam, will be released by NTA during the second week of April 2026, since online CUET registration 2026 was concluded on February 26.
The table below will be updated whenever the CUET 2026 date sheet is released.
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CUET UG Exam in CBT Mode
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CUET 2026 Exam Dates
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Shifts
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Slot Time (Tentative)
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CUET Subject/Code
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To be announced
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Shift 1
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9 AM to 12 PM
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To be updated
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Shift 2
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3 PM to 6 PM
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To be updated
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How to Check the CUET 2026 City Intimation Slip?
The CUET UG 2026 city intimation slip is expected to be released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) during the first week of May 2026. This slip will only be available on the official website for candidates who have finished their CUET registration 2026.
The city notification slip contains the dates of the CUET 2026 exam as well as the state and city where the exam centre will be situated.
However, this slip is not the admit card. Its primary objective is to help candidates prepare for the test day.
The following methods are available for downloading the CUET UG 2026 exam city slip advance notification:
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Step 1: Visit the official CUET UG website at cuetug.ntaonline.in.
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Step 2: Type in your login credentials.
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The quantity of applications
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The password
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The Captcha
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Step 3: The screen will now display the candidate's dashboard.
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Choose the "CUET UG City Intimation Slip" tab in step four.
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Step 5: The screen will now display the city notification slip.
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Step 6: Candidates can download and print the CUET 2026 city notification slip for their records.
How to Check the CUET 2026 Admit Card?
The CUET 2026 admit card is expected to be released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) during the first week of May 2026. This document includes the exam date, time, and paper information in addition to the name of the location where the testing facility is situated.
The registration credentials can be used to download the CUET 2026 admission card. The actual download link for the CUET hall pass or admit card will be provided on this page once released.
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Particulars
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Details
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Official website to download the CUET admit card
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cuet.samarth.ac.in
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Details required to download the CUET hall ticket
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application number, date of birth
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CUET 2026 exam date
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May 11-31, 2026
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Date of admit card release
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First Week of May 2026
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CUET helpdesk
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Contact no - 011- 40759000 / 011-69227700, Email ID - cuet-ug@nta.ac.in
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Details mentioned on the CUET UG admit card.
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Name of the candidate, exam centre address, exam dates, test name, exam day guidelines, etc.
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Mode of CUET hall ticket 2026 release
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Online
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URL to Download CUET 2026 Admit Card
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: cuet.nta.nic.in or nta.ac.in
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Content of CUET Admit Card 2026
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Candidate's personal details, exam paper, date, time, and instructions
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All of the information, including the candidate's name, roll number, exam date, time, and location, as well as any instructions, will be printed on the admit card. Every applicant must bring their admission card to the test site.
The student's details are on the admit card.
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Name
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Roll number
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Registration number
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CUET exam centre
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Category
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Contact details
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Date and time of exam
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Mode of exam
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Dos and don'ts
Steps to download the CUET 2026 Admit Card
The CUET 2026 hall ticket can only be downloaded from the exam's official website. The methods for downloading the CUET 2026 hall ticket are listed below:
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Visit the official CUET 2026 website at https://nta.ac.in/, or go directly to https://cuet.nta.nic.in/.
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Click the "Sign in" or "Log in" link.
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Type in your CUET 2026 application number and password.
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Click this link to obtain the admittance card in PDF format.
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Get a few hard copies of your admit card.
Predict your CUET score with the Answer Key
The National Testing Agency's (NTA) official website will host the preliminary CUET answer key 2026 in the first week of June 2026. This preliminary CUET answer key includes the correct answers to the questions together with the responses that candidates submitted in the exam.
Candidates can use the CUET answer key 2026 and their response sheets to predict their anticipated scores even before the official results are announced. If a candidate finds any inconsistencies, they can challenge the provisional answer
key by paying INR 200 for each question.
An expert panel will assess the objections and release the revised answer key. The final answer key will be based on the revised answer key.
How can the CUET 2026 Answer Key be downloaded?
To download the CUET Answer Key 2026, follow the directions above.
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Click the webpage's link.
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Click the provided link.
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The official website's home page will be accessible after the redirect.
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Please include your "Application ID" and "Date of Birth."
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In the next step, select "Login" from the menu.
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It will appear on the screen of the computer.
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Download the solution key to obtain it.
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To use it later, print it out.
CUET 2026 Result
Scorecards for the CUET 2026 Result will most likely be posted on the official website in early July 2026.
Candidates need to provide their login information to see their results. It will be available for undergraduate courses by the latter week of July 2026.
A scorecard or merit list will be made available to the public. Each institution and university that accepts the exam will release its own merit list. Additionally, candidates will be able to view their rank, eligibility status, and grades for each topic.
Important details like these will be included in the result:
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Personal details of the candidate
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Section-specific scores
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Overall scores and percentiles
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Cut-off points
How do I obtain the results of the CUET UG?
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Visit the official website: Go to cuet.samarth.ac.in or cuet.nta.nic.in to access the official CUET website.
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Determine the relationship to the outcome: On the front page, look for a link labelled "CUET UG Result," "CUET UG 2026 Scorecard," or "Download Scorecard."
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Log in: A login screen will appear. Enter the necessary information, including your password, application number, date of birth, and, if asked, a security pin.
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View and Download: Your CUET scorecard will show up on the screen once you add your data.
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Print and save: Save the scorecard for your records after downloading it as a PDF. Taking a printout for future use is an excellent idea, particularly during the admissions process.
CUET UG Cut-off 2026
After the results are announced, the participating universities will release their individual CUET 2026 cut-off scores. These cut-offs show the minimal scores required to be admitted to specific courses. While NTA provides a basic qualifying cut-off, each university sets its own cut-offs based on factors such as:
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The level of difficulty of the CUET UG 2026 exam.
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How many candidates took the test?
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The total number of seats available for all programs?
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Colleges
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BA Hons
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B.Com
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B.Sc
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BBA
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B. Tech
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Delhi University
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98-100
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98-99
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97-99
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97-98
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Banaras Hindu College BHU
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95-98
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94-97
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90-95
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92-95
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Jamia Millia Islamia JMI
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93-97
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92-96
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90-94
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91-94
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Aligarh Muslim University AMU
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90-95
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89-93
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88-92
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88-91
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Allahabad University AU
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85-90
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83-87
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80-85
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JNU
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90-94
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GGSIPU
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85-90
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84-88
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82-85
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83-87
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90-95
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University of Hyderabad
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92-96
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91-94
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90-94
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93-96
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Visva Bharti University
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80-85
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78-83
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75-80
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Pondicherry University
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85-90
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83-87
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80-85
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87-90
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CUET 2026 Expected Cut-Offs for the Reserved Category