The National Testing Agency (NTA) has started the CUET UG 2026 registration from 03 January 2026. The Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG) is conducted for admission to undergraduate courses in 47 Central Universities and 300+ participating universities across India.
The CUET UG 2026 exam is expected to be held between 11 May and 31 May 2026 in CBT mode. This article covers all key details of CUET UG, including dates, eligibility, application process, exam pattern, syllabus, and FAQs.
Table of Contents
NTA CUET UG 2026 overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common University Entrance Test (CUET) UG 2026 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Medium | 13 Languages (Hindi, English & Regional) |
| Participating Universities | 47 Central + 300+ State/Private/Deemed Universities |
| CUET UG 2026 Exam Date | 11 May – 31 May 2026 (Tentative) |
| CUET UG 2026 Notification Released | 3 January 2026 |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Starts | 3 January 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 30 January 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 31 January 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | 2 February – 4 February 2026 |
| City Intimation Slip Release | April 2026 (Expected) |
| CUET UG Admit Card Release | First week of May 2026 |
| CUET UG 2026 Exam Dates | 11 May – 31 May 2026 (Tentative) |
| Provisional Answer Key Release | June 2026 (Expected) |
| CUET UG 2026 Result Declaration | Last week of June 2026 |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee (Up to 3 Subjects) | Additional Subject (Per Subject) |
|---|---|---|
| General / Unreserved (UR) | ₹1,000 | ₹400 each |
| OBC-NCL / EWS | ₹900 | ₹375 each |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender | ₹800 | ₹350 each |
| Centres Outside India | ₹4,500 | ₹1,800 each |
Payment mode: Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI.
Age Limit
- No age limit for the CUET UG 2026 exam.
- However, participating universities may have specific age criteria for admission; check individual university eligibility.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for CUET UG 2026, candidates must fulfil the following basic conditions:
Educational Qualification
- Candidates must have passed Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent from a recognised board.
- Candidates appearing in the Class 12 board examination in 2026 are also eligible to apply.
- Minimum marks requirement varies according to the university and course selected:
- Generally, 50% for the General category
- 45% for SC / ST candidates
(Exact criteria may differ from university to university.)
Nationality
Candidates belonging to the following categories are eligible to apply:
- Indian Nationals
- Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
- Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs)
- Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs)
- Foreign Nationals
Note: Final eligibility, admission criteria, and reservation rules will be decided by the respective universities participating in CUET UG 2026.
application process
- Click on the Apply Online link.
- Register yourself with basic details (Name, Email, Mobile Number) to generate Application Number and Password.
- Log in using your Application Number and Password.
- Fill in personal details (Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Category, etc.) carefully as per the Class 10 certificate.
- Select your preferred exam medium from 13 available languages.
- Choose your subjects:
- Language Section (1 or 2 languages from 33 options)
- Domain-Specific Subjects (Maximum 6 from 29 subjects)
- General Test (Optional but recommended)
- Upload a recent passport-size photograph (JPG/JPEG format, 10-200 KB).
- Upload scanned signature (JPG/JPEG format, 4-30 KB).
- Pay the application fee online.
- Review all details carefully and submit the form.
- Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.
Note: Multiple applications by the same candidate will lead to cancellation of candidature.
Important Links
| Description | Link / Website |
|---|---|
| CUET UG 2026 Apply Online | Click Here |
| Download Information Bulletin | Download PDF |
| CUET UG Official Website | Visit here |
Admission Process
Admission to universities through CUET UG 2026 is done based on CUET scores, but each university follows its own admission process.
Step-by-Step Admission Process
- Merit List Preparation: Universities prepare merit lists based on CUET UG scores.
- Counselling Process: Shortlisted candidates participate in university-wise counselling (online or offline).
- Document Verification: Original documents and certificates are verified by the university.
- Seat Allotment: Seats are allotted based on merit rank, course preference, and availability of seats.
- Final Admission: Candidates confirm admission by paying the required fee and completing formalities.
Important Note: Qualifying CUET UG does not guarantee automatic admission. Candidates must apply separately and participate in the admission process of the respective universities, as cutoffs and rules vary from one university to another.
CUET UG Exam Pattern
This section gives a clear idea about the exam structure and marking scheme of CUET UG.
Exam Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Duration | 45 minutes per section |
| Marking Scheme | +5 for correct answer, −1 for wrong answer |
Paper Structure
CUET UG 2026 consists of three main sections:
| Section | Description | Total Questions | Questions to Attempt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section IA | 13 Languages (English & Regional) | 50 per language | 40 out of 50 |
| Section IB | 20 Additional Languages | 50 per language | 40 out of 50 |
| Section II | Domain-Specific Subjects (29 Subjects) | 50 per subject | 40 out of 50 |
| Section III | General Test | 75 | 60 out of 75 |
Subject Selection Rules
- Candidates must choose subjects as per the requirements of their selected university and course.
- A maximum of 6 domain subjects can be selected.
- Language + Domain Subjects + General Test together form the complete CUET UG exam.
Medium of Examination
CUET UG 2026 will be conducted in 13 languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu.
CUET UG Syllabus Overview
The CUET UG syllabus is based on the NCERT Class 11 and 12 curriculum.
Section IA & IB – Languages
- Reading Comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Grammar and Usage
- Verbal Ability
Section II – Domain Subjects (29 Subjects)
Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Economics, History, Political Science, Geography, Psychology, Sociology, Computer Science, Agriculture, Engineering Graphics, Physical Education, and other subjects as prescribed.
Section III – General Test
- General Knowledge and Current Affairs
- Numerical Ability and Quantitative Reasoning
- Logical and Analytical Reasoning
- General Mental Ability
Note: The detailed subject-wise syllabus is available in the official information bulletin released by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Participating Universities
Through the CUET UG 2026 score, candidates can take admission in Central, State, Deemed, and Private Universities across India.
Central Universities (47)
Some of the major Central Universities participating in CUET UG include:
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi
- University of Delhi (DU), Delhi
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi
- Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Delhi
- Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh
- University of Allahabad, Prayagraj
- University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
- Central University of Punjab, Bathinda
- Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer
- And 38+ other Central Universities
Other Participating Universities
Apart from Central Universities, 300+ universities also accept CUET UG scores, including:
| University Type | Participation |
|---|---|
| State Universities | Yes |
| Deemed Universities | Yes |
| Private Universities | Yes |
Important Note
- Each university has its own eligibility criteria, cutoff marks, and admission process.
- Qualifying CUET UG does not guarantee admission. Candidates must apply separately on the respective university portals and participate in counselling.
FAQs: NTA CUET UG 2026
When does CUET UG 2026 registration start and end?
CUET UG 2026 registration started on 3 January 2026, and the last date to apply is 30 January 2026 (up to 11:50 PM).
What is the CUET UG 2026 exam date?
CUET UG 2026 exam is tentatively scheduled to be conducted between 11 May and 31 May 2026 in multiple shifts across India and abroad.
What is the application fee for CUET UG 2026?
For General candidates, the fee is ₹1,000 (up to 3 subjects), for OBC-NCL/EWS it is ₹900, and for SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender it is ₹800.
Is there an age limit for CUET UG 2026?
No, there is no age limit for appearing in CUET UG 2026. However, individual universities may have age restrictions for admission.
What is the eligibility for CUET UG 2026?
Candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (10+2) from a recognized board. Minimum marks requirement varies by university and course.
Is negative marking applicable in CUET UG 2026?
Yes, there is negative marking in CUET UG 2026. Each correct answer gives +5 marks, and each incorrect answer deducts -1 mark.
How many subjects can I choose in CUET UG 2026?
Candidates can choose up to 6 domain-specific subjects in addition to language(s) and general test as per university requirements.
In how many languages is CUET UG 2026 conducted?
CUET UG 2026 is conducted in 13 languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
Which universities accept CUET UG 2026 scores?
All 47 Central Universities and over 300 state, private, and deemed universities across India accept CUET UG scores for undergraduate admissions.
When will CUET UG 2026 result be declared?
CUET UG 2026 result is expected to be declared by the last week of June 2026 on the official website cuet.nta.nic.in.
Conclusion
The CUET UG 2026 is a single national-level entrance exam that opens doors to UG admissions in Central, State, Deemed, and Private Universities across India. With a common exam pattern, wide university coverage, and transparent admission process, CUET UG makes undergraduate admissions more streamlined for students.
Along with UG entrance exams, candidates interested in the teaching field can also check HP State Eligibility Test (SET) 2026, which is conducted for eligibility to the post of Assistant Professor in Himachal Pradesh.
Candidates are advised to check university-wise requirements carefully and complete all application and counselling steps on time.
