CUET 2026: The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) 2026 will be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to top central universities such as DU, BHU, JNU, JMI, and Allahabad University.
This national-level exam is organized for undergraduate admissions across Central, State, Private, and Deemed universities in India. The CUET 2026 exam date will be announced soon by NTA, and it is expected to be held in May-June 2026 for 37 subjects in a computer-based test (CBT) format.
The CUET UG 2026 exam will be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to undergraduate courses offered by central, state, private, and deemed universities across India. The exam is expected to take place between May 11 and May 31, 2026, and will be held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. Universities that accept CUET scores will use candidates’ results and the information provided in the CUET application form during the admission and counselling process.
Applicants must complete the CUET application form and pay the examination fee before the last date to successfully register. It is essential to keep all required documents ready and select CUET subjects based on their Class 12 subjects.
Candidates should carefully check the university-specific course requirements. After the exam, participating universities will release their CUET cutoff 2026 based on NTA scores and percentiles. Students who meet or exceed the cutoff will qualify for admission to their chosen universities.
CUET 2026
The Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate (CUET UG) is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to facilitate admission into undergraduate programs offered by central, state, private, and deemed universities across India. CUET UG is a national-level entrance exam held every year and is considered the largest UG entrance test in the country. It provides a single platform for students to apply to multiple top universities and colleges.
The exam is conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode across 200+ cities in India and abroad. CUET UG is conducted in multiple phases to ensure smooth scheduling. This depends on the number of registered candidates.
Also Check: JEE Main 2026
CUET 2026 Exam Highlights
Candidates can check the overview of CUET 2026 in the table below:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | CUET |
| Full Form | Common University Entrance Test |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Level | Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Purpose | Single platform for UG and PG admissions across universities in India |
| Eligibility | Minimum passing marks in Class 12 |
| Application Window | January 03 to February 26, 2026 |
| Exam Fees | INR 1000 (General), INR 900 (OBC-NCL, EWS), INR 800 (SC, ST, PwD, Transgender), INR 4500 (International) |
| Exam Duration | Slot I: 9 AM–11 AM, Slot II: 12:30 PM–2 PM, Slot III: 4 PM–5:30 PM |
| Marking Scheme | +5 for correct answer, -1 for incorrect answer |
| Medium of Exam | 13 Languages – English, Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, Odia, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Urdu |
| Registration Websites | cuet.nta.nic.in, examinationservices.nic.in, nta.ac.in |
| Contact Details | Phone: 011-69227700, 011-40759000Email: cuet-ug@nta.ac.in |
CUET UG 2026 Exam Dates
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the tentative schedule for the CUET UG 2026 examination. Candidates planning to appear for the exam should stay updated with all important events, including registration, admit card release, and result dates. Check the complete CUET 2026 timeline in the table below:
| Particulars | Dates |
|---|---|
| CUET 2026 Registration Start Date | January 3, 2026 |
| CUET 2026 Registration Last Date | February 4, 2026 |
| Last Date to Pay CUET Application Fee | February 7, 2026 |
| CUET UG 2026 Application Correction Window | February 9 to 11, 2026 |
| CUET Registration 2026 Re-opens | February 23 to 26, 2026 |
| CUET 2026 City Intimation Slip | April 2026 |
| Release of CUET Admit Card | First Week of May 2026 |
| CUET UG 2026 Exam Dates | May 11 to May 31, 2026 (Tentative) |
| CUET 2026 Provisional Answer Key | June 2026 |
| CUET Final Answer Key | June 2026 |
| CUET UG Result 2026 | June 2026 |
CUET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet certain eligibility requirements related to education, nationality, and university-specific criteria to apply for CUET UG 2026. These guidelines ensure that students are qualified to appear for the largest undergraduate entrance exam in India.
Educational Qualification
Candidates should have passed Class 12 from a recognized board in Science, Commerce, Arts, or any relevant stream to seek admission into undergraduate programs at Central Universities. Students who are appearing for their Class 12 board exams in 2026 are also eligible to apply.
Age Limit
There is no age restriction for appearing in CUET UG 2026. However, students must meet any age requirements set by the specific university or college where they wish to take admission.
Nationality
Only Indian citizens are eligible to appear for the CUET 2026 exam.
CUET UG Registration 2026
The CUET UG 2026 registration will begin in the first week of March 2026. To apply for the exam, candidates must first complete the registration process by providing basic information such as name, contact details, and address. Once registered, login credentials will be generated.
Candidates can log in and complete the CUET UG 2026 application form. The form requires personal and academic details, choice of programme, preferred exam city, and uploading of necessary documents. After completing the application form, candidates must pay the CUET 2026 application fee online. Payment options include debit/credit cards, Net Banking, Paytm, and UPI.
CUET UG Form Fees 2026
Candidates can check the application form fees details for CUET 2026 in the table below:
| Category | Up to 3 Subjects | Each Additional Subject |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | INR 1000 | INR 400 |
| OBC-NCL/EWS | INR 900 | INR 375 |
| SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender | INR 800 | INR 350 |
| Centres Outside India | INR 4500 | INR 1800 |
CUET UG 2026 Correction Window
The CUET UG 2026 correction window will open after the registration period ends. This allows registered candidates to modify certain details in their application form before the last date. Only candidates who have registered successfully can access the correction facility.
Candidates can update the following information during the correction window:
- Candidate’s name
- Parent’s or guardian’s name
- Class 10th and 12th academic details
- Date of birth
- Gender and category
- Photograph and signature
- Examination city (based on current or permanent address)
CUET UG Syllabus 2026
The CUET UG 2026 syllabus is designed based on the Class 12 NCERT curriculum and covers subjects across Science, Commerce, Arts, and Languages. Candidates appearing for the exam must be familiar with the syllabus for language, domain subjects, and general aptitude to prepare effectively. Below is an overview of the CUET 2026 syllabus section-wise:
| Section | CUET Syllabus / Question Types |
|---|---|
| Section I – Language | English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu. Focus areas include Reading Comprehension based on factual, literary, and narrative passages, Literary Aptitude, and Vocabulary. |
| Section II – Domain Subjects | Includes Accountancy, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics/Business Economics, Geography, History, Home Science, Knowledge Tradition and Practices in India, Environmental Studies, Mathematics/Applied Mathematics, Physical Education, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Agriculture, Mass Media/Communication, Anthropology, Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Sanskrit. The syllabus is based on the Class 12 Board curriculum for each subject. |
| Section III – General Test | Covers General Knowledge, Current Affairs, General Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning, and Logical & Analytical Reasoning. Questions involve simple applications of basic mathematics (arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, statistics) up to Grade 8 level. |
CUET UG Exam Pattern 2026
The CUET UG 2026 exam is divided into three main sections: Languages, Domain Subjects, and General Test. Each section is designed to assess specific skills of the candidates:
- Language Section: Evaluates literary aptitude, reading comprehension, and vocabulary across 13 languages.
- Domain Subjects Section: Tests in-depth knowledge in the chosen subject(s).
- General Test Section: Assesses general knowledge, current affairs, mental ability, and numerical ability.
Each section of the CUET UG 2026 exam will be conducted for 60 minutes. Candidates can check CUET 2026 exam pattern in the table below:
| Section | Number of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Section I – Language | 50 | 60 minutes |
| Section II – Domain Subjects | 50 | 60 minutes |
| Section III – General Aptitude Test | 50 | 60 minutes |
CUET UG 2026 Marking Scheme
The total marks for CUET UG 2026 depend on the number of subjects chosen and the exam slot allotted. The marking scheme as per NTA is:
- Correct Answer: +5 marks
- Incorrect Answer: -1 mark
- Unanswered / Marked for Review: 0 marks
- Multiple Correct Options: +5 marks if any correct option is selected
- All Options Correct: +5 marks for all who attempted the question
- Dropped / Wrong Questions: +5 marks for all candidates who attempted the question
CUET UG 2026 Advance Intimation Slip
The National Testing Agency (NTA) releases the CUET UG 2026 Advance Intimation Slip for registered candidates about 9–10 days before the exam. This slip informs candidates about their allotted exam city, helping them plan travel and exam-day arrangements in advance. However, it is important to note that the city intimation slip is not the admit card; it only provides details about the exam location.
Follow the steps below to download the CUET UG 2026 city intimation slip:
- Visit the official CUET UG website: cuet.nta.nic.in
- Click on the link that says ‘CUET (UG) 2026 Intimation Slip Released’
- Enter your CUET UG 2026 login credentials
- The CUET 2026 city intimation slip will appear on the screen for download and reference.
CUET 2026 Admit Card
The CUET UG 2026 admit card will be released by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Candidates will receive an advance intimation from NTA with details about their exam city, date, slot, and paper.
The CUET UG admit card 2026 is a mandatory document that candidates must carry to the exam centre. It can be downloaded by logging in with the registration credentials.
CUET 2026 Answer Key
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will release the provisional CUET UG 2026 answer key after the exam. This answer key contains the correct options for all questions and also shows the responses submitted by candidates.
Candidates can estimate their scores before the official results are announced using the CUET response sheet and the provisional answer key.
Candidates also have the option to challenge the provisional answer key by paying a fee of INR 200 per question. An expert committee reviews all challenges, and if the objection is found valid, the CUET answer key is revised.
The final CUET UG 2026 result will be prepared and announced based on the revised answer key.
CUET 2026 Result
The CUET UG 2026 result will be declared on the official website: cuet.nta.nic.in. Candidates can log in using their registration credentials to access and download their CUET UG 2026 scorecard.
The CUET result 2026 provides important details including:
- Candidate’s personal information
- Section-wise scores
- Overall score and percentile
- Cutoff marks for admissions
Candidates should keep their CUET UG 2026 scorecard safe, as it will be required for admission to participating universities.
CUET Cut Off 2026
The CUET 2026 cutoff will be announced individually by the participating institutes. A cutoff is the minimum score a candidate needs to achieve to qualify for admission. The NTA will release the overall qualifying cutoff, but each institute will declare separate cutoffs for the specific programmes they offer. The cutoff marks are determined based on various factors, including the difficulty of the exam, the number of candidates, and available seats.
CUET Counselling 2026
The CUET 2026 counselling will be managed separately by each participating institute. After the results are announced, institutes will release their merit lists of eligible candidates. Candidates must register online to participate in the counselling process. Typically, there are three rounds of counselling, although the number may vary depending on seat availability.
Once the seat allotment is published, candidates must confirm their admission by reporting to the institute and completing the document verification process. For some programmes, instead of counselling, candidates may have to attend interviews. NTA will provide details about such programmes and their admission process in the CUET 2026 information brochure.
Also Check: NEET 2026
CUET 2026 FAQs
Q.1. What is CUET 2026?
Ans. CUET 2026 is the Common University Entrance Test conducted by NTA for undergraduate admissions in central, state, private, and deemed universities across India.
Q.2. Who is eligible for CUET 2026?
Ans. Candidates who have completed or are appearing in Class 12 exams in 2026 from a recognized board are eligible. Only Indian citizens can apply.
Q.3. When will CUET 2026 registration start?
Ans. CUET 2026 registration is expected to begin in the first week of March 2026 on the official website cuet.nta.nic.in.
Q.4. What is the CUET 2026 exam pattern?
Ans. The exam is computer-based and has three sections: Languages, Domain Subjects, and General Test. Each section has 50 questions with a duration of 60 minutes.
Q.5. How will CUET 2026 counselling and admission be conducted?
Ans. Participating institutes conduct counselling separately, usually in three rounds. Candidates must register online, check merit lists, and complete document verification to confirm admission.
