EXAM SYLLABUS

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) syllabus for 2026 is officially released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and remains largely aligned with previous years, with some rationalizations in certain UG domain subjects to focus on core concepts (e.g., reduced emphasis on outdated or application-heavy topics in Physics, Chemistry, and others). No major overhauls are reported for PG. The syllabus is NCERT-based for UG domains (Class 11–12 level) and undergraduate-level for PG (bachelor's degree content). Always download the latest subject-wise PDFs from the official portals for precise details, as they include any minor updates or unit-wise breakdowns.

CUET UG Syllabus:

Divided into three sections:

Section IA & IB (Languages): 13 languages (English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu) + additional options. Focus: Reading Comprehension (factual, narrative, literary), Literary Aptitude, Vocabulary, Grammar, Language Usage (Class 12 proficiency level).

Section II (Domain-Specific Subjects): 23 subjects (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Applied Mathematics, Biology/Biotechnology/Biochemistry, Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics/Business Economics, History, Political Science, Geography, Psychology, Sociology, Computer Science/Informatics Practices, etc.). Largely based on NCERT Class 12 syllabus, with emphasis on conceptual understanding, application, and reduced rote elements in some (e.g., Physics rationalized outdated tech applications; Chemistry retains detailed 16-unit structure with focus on core physical/organic/inorganic). Key trends: More inference-based, case studies, and numerical/application questions.

Section III (General Test): General Knowledge, Current Affairs, General Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning, Logical & Analytical Reasoning (optional but recommended for many programs).

Total subjects: 37 (languages + domains + General Test).

CUET PG Syllabus:

Covers 157 test papers/subjects across categories: Humanities (e.g., MA English, Hindi, History, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Economics), Sciences (e.g., M.Sc. Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Botany, Zoology, Biotechnology), Commerce (M.Com), Management (MBA equivalents), Law (LLM), Education (M.Ed), Acharya (Sanskrit-related), M.Tech/Higher Sciences, Languages, and Common/General papers (e.g., LLB, Public Health, Yoga, etc.).

Each paper is domain-specific, focusing on bachelor's-level (undergraduate) knowledge in the relevant discipline. Questions emphasize analytical/application skills, theory, and critical thinking (no separate General Test like UG).

Examples: MA English (literature, comprehension, critical analysis); M.Sc. Physics (advanced mechanics, quantum, electromagnetism); MBA/General (quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, business awareness); LLM (constitutional law, jurisprudence, international law).

Key Advice:

Download the Information Bulletin and subject-wise syllabus PDFs directly from cuet.nta.nic.in (UG) and exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg (PG) for the most accurate, updated versions.

For UG: Rely heavily on NCERT; map subjects to your target programs (universities specify required domains).

For PG: Focus on your bachelor's syllabus depth; check university-specific mappings if needed.

From Lucknow, prep with online mocks aligned to these syllabi—regular practice will help tackle the MCQ format effectively.

CENTRAL UNIVERSITIES ENTRANCE TEST (CUET) EXAM SYLLABUS

CUET SYLLABUS FOR UG COURSES

As per CUET Syllabus, there will be three sections in UG Paper. Important points regarding the exam are tabulated below:

CUET SYLLABUS FOR LANGUAGE TEST 

The students' fluency in the language is to be tested through questions asked in Reading Comprehension (based on different types of passages Factual, Literary and Narrative [Literary Aptitude & Vocabulary].

CUET SYLLABUS FOR GENERAL TEST

The General Awareness section includes static General Knowledge, while questions on Current Affairs will gauge a candidate’s knowledge of national & international current affairs. Let's have a look at the General Awareness and Current Affairs topics for CUET exam.

1. General Knowledge

2. Current Affairs

3. General Mental Ability

4. Numerical Ability

4. Quantitative Reasoning (Simple application of basic mathematical concepts arithmetic/algebra geometry/mensuration/stat taught till Grade 8)

5. Logical and Analytical Reasoning

CUET SYLLABUS FOR DOMAIN SUBJECT

Candidates can check below the CUET exam syllabus for the various test domains that can choose while filling out their applications. A candidate can choose a maximum of six test domain while applying for the CUET entrance test.

1. ACCOUNTANCY/BOOK KEEPING 301

The Important units related to Accounting for Not-for-Profit Organisations and Partnership Firms covered in CUET Syllabus are discussed below:

1. Unit I: Accounting Not-for-Profit Organisation

2. Unit II: Accounting for Partnership

3. Unit III: Reconstitution of Partnership

4. Unit IV: Dissolution of Partnership Firm

5. Unit V: Accounting for Share and Debenture Capital

6. Unit VI: Analysis of Financial Statements

7. Unit VII: Statement of Changes in Financial Position

The Important units related to Computerized Accounting System covered in CUET Syllabus are discussed below:

1. Unit I: Overview of Computerised Accounting System

2. Unit II: Using Computerised Accounting System

3.

EXAM SYLLABUS

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) syllabus for 2026 is officially released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and remains largely aligned with previous years, with some rationalizations in certain UG domain subjects to focus on core concepts (e.g., reduced emphasis on outdated or application-heavy topics in Physics, Chemistry, and others). No major overhauls are reported for PG. The syllabus is NCERT-based for UG domains (Class 11–12 level) and undergraduate-level for PG (bachelor's degree content). Always download the latest subject-wise PDFs from the official portals for precise details, as they include any minor updates or unit-wise breakdowns.

CUET UG Syllabus:

Divided into three sections:

Section IA & IB (Languages): 13 languages (English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu) + additional options. Focus: Reading Comprehension (factual, narrative, literary), Literary Aptitude, Vocabulary, Grammar, Language Usage (Class 12 proficiency level).

Section II (Domain-Specific Subjects): 23 subjects (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Applied Mathematics, Biology/Biotechnology/Biochemistry, Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics/Business Economics, History, Political Science, Geography, Psychology, Sociology, Computer Science/Informatics Practices, etc.). Largely based on NCERT Class 12 syllabus, with emphasis on conceptual understanding, application, and reduced rote elements in some (e.g., Physics rationalized outdated tech applications; Chemistry retains detailed 16-unit structure with focus on core physical/organic/inorganic). Key trends: More inference-based, case studies, and numerical/application questions.

Section III (General Test): General Knowledge, Current Affairs, General Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning, Logical & Analytical Reasoning (optional but recommended for many programs).

Total subjects: 37 (languages + domains + General Test).

CUET PG Syllabus:

Covers 157 test papers/subjects across categories: Humanities (e.g., MA English, Hindi, History, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Economics), Sciences (e.g., M.Sc. Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Botany, Zoology, Biotechnology), Commerce (M.Com), Management (MBA equivalents), Law (LLM), Education (M.Ed), Acharya (Sanskrit-related), M.Tech/Higher Sciences, Languages, and Common/General papers (e.g., LLB, Public Health, Yoga, etc.).

Each paper is domain-specific, focusing on bachelor's-level (undergraduate) knowledge in the relevant discipline. Questions emphasize analytical/application skills, theory, and critical thinking (no separate General Test like UG).

Examples: MA English (literature, comprehension, critical analysis); M.Sc. Physics (advanced mechanics, quantum, electromagnetism); MBA/General (quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, business awareness); LLM (constitutional law, jurisprudence, international law).

Key Advice:

Download the Information Bulletin and subject-wise syllabus PDFs directly from cuet.nta.nic.in (UG) and exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg (PG) for the most accurate, updated versions.

For UG: Rely heavily on NCERT; map subjects to your target programs (universities specify required domains).

For PG: Focus on your bachelor's syllabus depth; check university-specific mappings if needed.

From Lucknow, prep with online mocks aligned to these syllabi—regular practice will help tackle the MCQ format effectively.

CENTRAL UNIVERSITIES ENTRANCE TEST (CUET) EXAM SYLLABUS

CUET SYLLABUS FOR UG COURSES

As per CUET Syllabus, there will be three sections in UG Paper. Important points regarding the exam are tabulated below:

CUET SYLLABUS FOR LANGUAGE TEST 

The students' fluency in the language is to be tested through questions asked in Reading Comprehension (based on different types of passages Factual, Literary and Narrative [Literary Aptitude & Vocabulary].

CUET SYLLABUS FOR GENERAL TEST

The General Awareness section includes static General Knowledge, while questions on Current Affairs will gauge a candidate’s knowledge of national & international current affairs. Let's have a look at the General Awareness and Current Affairs topics for CUET exam.

1. General Knowledge

2. Current Affairs

3. General Mental Ability

4. Numerical Ability

4. Quantitative Reasoning (Simple application of basic mathematical concepts arithmetic/algebra geometry/mensuration/stat taught till Grade 8)

5. Logical and Analytical Reasoning

CUET SYLLABUS FOR DOMAIN SUBJECT

Candidates can check below the CUET exam syllabus for the various test domains that can choose while filling out their applications. A candidate can choose a maximum of six test domain while applying for the CUET entrance test.

1. ACCOUNTANCY/BOOK KEEPING 301

The Important units related to Accounting for Not-for-Profit Organisations and Partnership Firms covered in CUET Syllabus are discussed below:

1. Unit I: Accounting Not-for-Profit Organisation

2. Unit II: Accounting for Partnership

3. Unit III: Reconstitution of Partnership

4. Unit IV: Dissolution of Partnership Firm

5. Unit V: Accounting for Share and Debenture Capital

6. Unit VI: Analysis of Financial Statements

7. Unit VII: Statement of Changes in Financial Position

The Important units related to Computerized Accounting System covered in CUET Syllabus are discussed below:

1. Unit I: Overview of Computerised Accounting System

2. Unit II: Using Computerised Accounting System

3. Unit III: Accounting Using Database Management System (DBMS)

4. Unit IV: Accounting Applications of Electronic Spreadsheet

2. AGRICULTURE (302)

The Important units related to  AGRICULTURE covered in CUET Syllabus are discussed below:

1. Unit-1: Agrometeorology, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Biochemistry and Microbiology - Some important topics include Agrometerology, Genetics & Plant Breeding, Biochemistry, Microbiology

2. Unit-2: Livestock Production- Some important topics include Importance of livestock, Care and management, Artificial Insemination

3. Unit-3: Crop Production - Some important topics include Introduction of Soil, Soil fertility, Fertilizers and Manures, Irrigation and Drainage, Weed Control, Crops

4. Unit-4: Horticulture

3. ANTHROPOLOGY (303)

The Important units related to ANTHROPOLOGY covered in CUET Syllabus are discussed below:

1. Unit-1: PhysicalAnthropology

2. Unit-2: PrehistoricArchaeology

3. Unit-3: Material culture andeconomicAnthropology

4. Unit-4: SocialAnthropologyandEthnography

5. Unit-5: Ecology

4. FINE ARTS (312) (PAINTING, SCULPTURE, GRAPHICS AND COMMERICAL ARTS)

PAINTING

Unit 1: The Rajasthani and Pahari Schools of Miniature Painting

Unit 2: The Mughal and Deccan schools of miniature painting

Unit 3: The Bengal School and Cultural Nationalism

Unit 4: The Modern trends In IndianArt

SCULPTURE

Study of the following sculptures:

1. Triumph of Labour D. P. Roychowdhury

2. Santhal Family Ramkinker Vaij

3. Standing Woman Dhanraj Bhagat

4. Cries Unheard Amar Nath Sehgal

5. Ganesha Figure P.V.Jankira6. Dhanpal Sankho Chaudhuri

7. Chatturmukhi Aekka Yada Giri Rao

GRAPHIC-PRINTS

1. Whirlpool Krishna Reddy

2.  Children Somnath Hore

3. Devi Jyoti Bhatt

4. Of walls Anupam Sud

5. Man, Woman and Tree K. Laxma Goud

5. BIOLOGY/BIOLOGICAL STUDIES/BIOTECNOLOGY/ BIOCHEMISTRY (304)

The Important units related to BIOLOGY/BIOLOGICAL STUDIES/BIOTECNOLOGY/ BIOCHEMISTRY covered in CUET Syllabus are discussed below:

1. Unit I: Reproduction

2. Unit II: Genetics andEvolution

3. Unit III: Biology andHumanWelfare

4. Unit IV: Biotechnology and ItsApplications

5. Unit V: Ecologyand environment

6. BUSINESS STUDIES (305)

The Important units related to BUSINESS STUDIES covered in CUET Syllabus are discussed below:

1. Unit I: Nature and Significance of Management

2. Unit II: Principles of Management

3. Unit III: Business Environment

4. Unit IV: Planning

5. Unit V: Organising

6. Unit VI: Staffing

7. Unit VII: Directing

8. Unit VIII: Controlling

9. Unit IX: Business Finance

10. Unit X: Financial Markets

11. Unit XI: Marketing

12. Unit XII: Consumer Protection

13. Unit XIII: Entrepreneurship Development

7. CHEMISTRY (306)

The essential topics to be studied under the Chemistry subject from the table below and enhance your preparation levels.

8. COMPUTER SCIENCE/ INFORMATICS PRACTICES (308)

The essential topics to be studied under the CUET Entrance Exam Syllabus for Computer Science/ Informatics Practices subject from the table below:

9. ECONOMICS/BUSINESS ECONOMICS (309)

The essential topics to be studied under the CUET Entrance Exam Syllabus for Economics subject from the table below.

10. ENGINEERING GRAPHICS (310)

The essential topics to be studied under the CUET Entrance Exam Syllabus for Engineering Graphics subject from the table below:

11. ENTREPRENEURSHIP (311)

The essential topics to be studied under the CUET Entrance Exam Syllabus for Entrepreneurship subject from the table below:

12. ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (307)

The essential topics to be studied under the CUET Entrance Exam Syllabus for Environmental Science subject from the table below:

13. GEOGRAPHY/GEOLOGY (313)

The essential topics to be studied under the CUET Entrance Exam Syllabus for Geography subject from the table below:

14. HISTORY (314)

The essential topics to be studied under the CUET Entrance Exam Syllabus for History subject from the table below:

15. HOME SCIENCE (315)

The essential topics to be studied under the CUET Entrance Exam Syllabus for the Home Science subject from the table below:

16. KNOWLEDGE TRADITIONS PRACTICES IN INDIA (316)

The essential topics to be studied under the CUET Entrance Exam Syllabus for Knowledge Tradition and Practices of India subject from the table below:

17. LANGUAGES (IA & IB)

CUET examination consists of 33 languages. 

18. LEGAL STUDIES (317)

The essential topics to be studied under the CUET Entrance Exam Syllabus for Legal Studies subject from the table below:

19. MASS MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION (318)

The essential topics to be studied under the CUET Entrance Exam Syllabus for the Mass Media/Mass Communication subject from the table below:

20. MATHEMATICS/APPLIED MATHEMATICS (319)

21. PERFORMING ARTS (320)

SECTION A: DANCE

A1 – Kathak

A2 – Bharatnatyam

A3 – Odissi

A4 – Kuchipudi

A5 – Manipuri

A6 - Kathakali

SECTION B: DRAMA-THEATRE

SECTION C: MUSIC

C1 – Hindustani

C2 – Carnatic

C3 – Rabindra Sangeet

C4 - Percussion

22. PHYSICAL EDUCATION/ NATIONAL CADET CORPS(NCC)/ YOGA (321)

The essential topics to be studied under the CUET Entrance Exam Syllabus for Physical Education/NCC /Yoga subject from the table below:

23. PHYSICS (322)

The essential topics to be studied under the CUET Entrance Exam Syllabus for Physics subject from the table below:

24. PSYCHOLOGY (324)

The essential topics to be studied under the CUET Entrance Exam Syllabus for Physics subject from the table below:

25. SOCIOLOGY (326)

The essential topics to be studied under the CUET Entrance Exam Syllabus for Sociology subject from the table below:

26. Political Science (323)

27. TEACHING APTITUDE (327)

The essential topics to be studied under the CUET Entrance Exam Syllabus for Teaching Aptitude subject from the table below:

EXAM PATTERN

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for 2026 follows a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). No major changes have been announced to the exam pattern compared to recent cycles (e.g., 2025)—it remains consistent, with subject choices, durations, and marking schemes unchanged. Always confirm the latest in the Information Bulletin on cuet.nta.nic.in (UG) and exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg (PG), as minor clarifications may apply.

CUET UG Exam Pattern:

Mode: Fully computer-based (CBT), conducted in multiple shifts over the exam window.

Sections & Subjects: Candidates can choose up to 5 subjects from:

Section IA: 13 Languages (e.g., English, Hindi, regional languages).

Section IB: Additional languages (if required).

Section II: 23 Domain-specific subjects (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, History, Political Science, etc.—NCERT Class 12 level).

Section III: General Test (General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning, Logical & Analytical Reasoning—optional but often required for many programs).

Question Type: All Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with 4 options.

Marking Scheme: +5 marks for each correct answer; -1 for each incorrect answer; 0 for unanswered questions.

Duration: 60 minutes per test paper/subject (candidates take multiple papers in different shifts if choosing more than one).

Total Questions per Paper: Typically 50 questions to attempt (out of 50–60 provided in some cases).

Key Notes: Total marks depend on chosen subjects (e.g., 250 marks for 5 subjects). Normalization applied across shifts for fairness. Questions align with NCERT syllabus for domains; focus on conceptual/application-based MCQs.

CUET PG Exam Pattern:

Mode: Fully computer-based (CBT), conducted in multi-shifts.

Subjects/Papers: 157 test papers across streams (Humanities, Sciences, Commerce, Management, Law, Education, etc.); candidates can choose up to 4 papers based on eligibility and desired PG programs.

Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with 4 options (subject-specific variations possible, but mostly uniform).

Marking Scheme: +4 marks for each correct answer; -1 for each incorrect answer; 0 for unanswered questions.

Duration: 90 minutes per paper.

Total Questions per Paper: 75 questions (all to be attempted; uniform across most papers).

Key Notes: Papers bilingual (English/Hindi where applicable). Total marks per paper: 300. No separate General Test—each paper focuses on domain knowledge at bachelor's level. Normalization may apply for multi-shift fairness.

General Notes for Both:

No sectional time limits within a paper—manage time for speed and accuracy.

Negative marking encourages educated guesses over blind attempts.

Practice CBT mocks from NTA sites to familiarize with interface, scrolling, and timer.

From Lucknow, select nearby exam cities during application (multiple UP centers available).

Exam pattern stable—no revisions to subjects, questions, marking, or duration. 

CUET EXAM PATTERN HIGHLIGHTS

EXAM PATTERN

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for 2026 follows a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). No major changes have been announced to the exam pattern compared to recent cycles (e.g., 2025)—it remains consistent, with subject choices, durations, and marking schemes unchanged. Always confirm the latest in the Information Bulletin on cuet.nta.nic.in (UG) and exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg (PG), as minor clarifications may apply.

CUET UG Exam Pattern:

Mode: Fully computer-based (CBT), conducted in multiple shifts over the exam window.

Sections & Subjects: Candidates can choose up to 5 subjects from:

Section IA: 13 Languages (e.g., English, Hindi, regional languages).

Section IB: Additional languages (if required).

Section II: 23 Domain-specific subjects (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, History, Political Science, etc.—NCERT Class 12 level).

Section III: General Test (General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning, Logical & Analytical Reasoning—optional but often required for many programs).

Question Type: All Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with 4 options.

Marking Scheme: +5 marks for each correct answer; -1 for each incorrect answer; 0 for unanswered questions.

Duration: 60 minutes per test paper/subject (candidates take multiple papers in different shifts if choosing more than one).

Total Questions per Paper: Typically 50 questions to attempt (out of 50–60 provided in some cases).

Key Notes: Total marks depend on chosen subjects (e.g., 250 marks for 5 subjects). Normalization applied across shifts for fairness. Questions align with NCERT syllabus for domains; focus on conceptual/application-based MCQs.

CUET PG Exam Pattern:

Mode: Fully computer-based (CBT), conducted in multi-shifts.

Subjects/Papers: 157 test papers across streams (Humanities, Sciences, Commerce, Management, Law, Education, etc.); candidates can choose up to 4 papers based on eligibility and desired PG programs.

Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with 4 options (subject-specific variations possible, but mostly uniform).

Marking Scheme: +4 marks for each correct answer; -1 for each incorrect answer; 0 for unanswered questions.

Duration: 90 minutes per paper.

Total Questions per Paper: 75 questions (all to be attempted; uniform across most papers).

Key Notes: Papers bilingual (English/Hindi where applicable). Total marks per paper: 300. No separate General Test—each paper focuses on domain knowledge at bachelor's level. Normalization may apply for multi-shift fairness.

General Notes for Both:

No sectional time limits within a paper—manage time for speed and accuracy.

Negative marking encourages educated guesses over blind attempts.

Practice CBT mocks from NTA sites to familiarize with interface, scrolling, and timer.

From Lucknow, select nearby exam cities during application (multiple UP centers available).

Exam pattern stable—no revisions to subjects, questions, marking, or duration. 

CUET EXAM PATTERN HIGHLIGHTS

MODE OF EXAMINATION 

CUET (UG) will completely be conducted in Hybrid mode (Pen & Paper/ Computer Based Test (CBT) mode.

MEDIUM OF EXAMINATION    

Drawing from the National Education Policy (NEP), the CUET (UG) will be conducted in English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.

SCHEME OF EXAMINATION

LIST OF LANGUAGES OFFERED UNDER CUET(UG)

CUET examination consists of 33 languages. 

LIST OF DOMAIN SPECIFIC SUBJECTS /GENERAL TEST OFFERED UNDER CUET(UG)

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates willing to apply for CUET Examination are required to fulfill certain conditions to be eligible for it. The candidate who does not satisfy the Eligibility criteria like Age, Minimum educational qualification, etc., their candidature shall be rejected by the authorities.

The candidate’s eligibility for CUET Examination is based on the fulfillment of the following conditions:-

1. Nationality

2. Age Limit & Relaxations

3. Educational Qualifications

CUET NATIONALITY

The candidate must be a citizen of India in order to be eligible for the CUET examination.

CUET AGE LIMIT

There is no age restriction for candidates appearing in the CUET examination. 

CUET EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR UG COURSES

i. The final examination of the 10+2 system, conducted by any recognized Central/ State Board, such as the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi; Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi; etc.

ii. Intermediate or two-year Pre-University examination conducted by a recognized Board/ University.

iii. Final examination of the two-year course of the Joint Services Wing of the National Defence Academy

iv. Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Institute of Open Schooling with a minimum of five subjects.

v. Any Public School/ Board/ University examination in India or any foreign country is recognized as equivalent to the 10+2 system by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

vi. Higher Secondary Certificate Vocational Examination.

vii. A Diploma recognized by AICTE or a State board of technical education of at least 3 years duration.

viii. General Certificate Education (GCE) examination (London/Cambridge/Sri Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level.

ix. High School Certificate Examination of the Cambridge University or International Baccalaureate Diploma of the International Baccalaureate Office, Geneva.

x. Candidates who have completed the Class 12 (or equivalent) examination outside India or from a Board not specified above should produce a certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) to the effect that the examination they have passed is equivalent to the Class 12 Examination.

xi. In case the Class 12 Examination is not a public examination, the candidate must have passed at least one public (Board or Pre-University) examination earlier.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates willing to apply for CUET Examination are required to fulfill certain conditions to be eligible for it. The candidate who does not satisfy the Eligibility criteria like Age, Minimum educational qualification, etc., their candidature shall be rejected by the authorities.

The candidate’s eligibility for CUET Examination is based on the fulfillment of the following conditions:-

1. Nationality

2. Age Limit & Relaxations

3. Educational Qualifications

CUET NATIONALITY

The candidate must be a citizen of India in order to be eligible for the CUET examination.

CUET AGE LIMIT

There is no age restriction for candidates appearing in the CUET examination. 

CUET EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR UG COURSES

i. The final examination of the 10+2 system, conducted by any recognized Central/ State Board, such as the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi; Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi; etc.

ii. Intermediate or two-year Pre-University examination conducted by a recognized Board/ University.

iii. Final examination of the two-year course of the Joint Services Wing of the National Defence Academy

iv. Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Institute of Open Schooling with a minimum of five subjects.

v. Any Public School/ Board/ University examination in India or any foreign country is recognized as equivalent to the 10+2 system by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

vi. Higher Secondary Certificate Vocational Examination.

vii. A Diploma recognized by AICTE or a State board of technical education of at least 3 years duration.

viii. General Certificate Education (GCE) examination (London/Cambridge/Sri Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level.

ix. High School Certificate Examination of the Cambridge University or International Baccalaureate Diploma of the International Baccalaureate Office, Geneva.

x. Candidates who have completed the Class 12 (or equivalent) examination outside India or from a Board not specified above should produce a certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) to the effect that the examination they have passed is equivalent to the Class 12 Examination.

xi. In case the Class 12 Examination is not a public examination, the candidate must have passed at least one public (Board or Pre-University) examination earlier.

IMPORTANT DATES

As per the latest official updates, CUET UG 2026 applications started in January 2026 and closed by the end of the month, with the correction window opening in early February 2026. The CUET UG examination is scheduled to be conducted between 11 May and 31 May 2026, admit cards are expected in early May, results will be declared in June 2026, and counselling/admissions will take place in July 2026. For CUET PG 2026, the application process was conducted from mid-December 2025 to mid-January 2026, followed by a correction window in January 2026. The CUET PG exam is scheduled for March 2026, admit cards will be released in early March, results are expected in April or early May 2026, and counselling will begin shortly after the result declaration.

EXAM ANALYSIS

CUET UG & PG 2026: Exam Analysis (Based on 2025 Patterns & Insights)

The CUET UG 2026 and CUET PG 2026 are expected to follow similar structures to the 2025 exams, with no major changes announced in the official Information Bulletins (confirm on cuet.nta.nic.in for UG and exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg for PG). The 2025 exams saw around 13–15 lakh registrations for UG and 7–8 lakh for PG, with multi-shift CBT formats leading to normalization for fairness. Overall difficulty in 2025 was easy to moderate for both levels, with variations across shifts and subjects due to the hybrid mode (some pen-paper for high-volume subjects in UG). Questions emphasized NCERT-based concepts, application, and reasoning, with a focus on speed in time-bound papers. For 2026, anticipate similar trends, including increased data/inference-based questions in domains. Below is a projected analysis for 2026 based on 2025 data from student feedback, expert reviews, and reliable sources—aim for balanced preparation across sections.

CUET UG 2026 Exam Analysis (Projected from 2025)

Overall Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate across shifts, with some slots moderate due to lengthy calculations or inference-heavy questions. Domain subjects aligned closely with Class 12 NCERT, but General Test felt trickier with current affairs and quantitative mixes. Competition rose, with ~80,000+ applicants per top university like DU.

Exam Pattern Recap: Up to 5 subjects/papers (50 questions each, +5/-1 marking, 60 min per paper). Total questions depend on choices; good overall attempts: 180–200+ for competitive scores.

Section-Wise Breakdown & Expectations:

Languages (Section IA/IB, e.g., English/Hindi): Easy to Moderate. Focus on Reading Comprehension (inference-based), Grammar, Vocabulary. Good Attempts: 35–40 (or 44–46 in easier slots). Tip for 2026: Practice quick RC scanning; expect shorter but tricky passages.

Domain-Specific Subjects (Section II): Varied—Easy to Moderate overall. Examples: Economics (Easy-Moderate, good attempts 40–45); Physics (Moderate, 35–40); Chemistry (Easy, 40–45); Political Science (Moderate, ~40); Accountancy (Moderate, 38–42). High-weight: Numericals in sciences, case-based in humanities/commerce. Trends: More MOQs (Multiple Option Questions) and passages in Economics/History.

General Test (Section III): Moderate. Covers GK/Current Affairs, Numerical/Quantitative Reasoning, Logical Ability. Good Attempts: 38–42. Focus: Recent events, basic math shortcuts.

Projected Cutoffs for 2026 (Based on 2025 Trends): Not fixed—university-specific, derived from merit lists. Rising competition: General ~60–90 percentile overall (or 170–220/250 per subject for top courses like DU B.Com Hons.); OBC-NCL 140–190; SC/ST/EWS lower by 10–30%. For DU/BHU/JNU: High percentiles (95+) for flagship programs; safer score: 750+ out of 1250 (5 subjects). Factors: Applicant surge, normalization.

CUET PG 2026 Exam Analysis (Projected from 2025)

Overall Difficulty Level: Moderate, similar to 2024 but with slightly higher challenge in some papers (e.g., Statistics/Botany). Emphasis on domain knowledge at UG level; questions balanced between theory and application. Multi-shift normalization applied.

Exam Pattern Recap: Up to 4 papers (75 questions each, +4/-1 marking, 90 min per paper). Good overall attempts: 50–60/75 per paper for strong chances.

Section-Wise Breakdown & Expectations (Papers are subject-specific, but generalized):

Language Comprehension/Verbal Ability (Common in Many Papers): Easy to Moderate. Good Attempts: ~20–25 (focus: Comprehension, Grammar).

Domain Knowledge: Moderate. Varies by subject—e.g., Economics/English/History: Moderate (theory-heavy); Maths/Calculus: Moderate-Difficult (problem-solving); Sciences like Physics/Chemistry: Moderate. High-weight: Analytical questions in MBA equivalents (Quantitative, Logical Reasoning); challenging sections like Linear Algebra in Maths.

General Awareness/Quantitative/Analytical Skills (in General Papers): Easy to Moderate. Good Attempts: ~15–20 (GK, basic quant).

Projected Cutoffs for 2026 (Based on 2025 Trends): University/course-specific; General: 160–240+ marks (out of ~300, depending on paper); OBC: ~140–200; SC/ST lower. Good rank: Top 1,500 for General in popular courses. For DU/BHU/JNU: 200–300+ for high-demand MA/M.Sc./MBA; factors: Difficulty, seats, applicants.

Preparation Tips for CUET UG/PG 2026

Prioritize NCERT/UG textbooks; practice mocks for speed (no negatives mean attempt all, but accurately).

Focus on high-weight areas: Inference RC (Languages), Numericals/DI (Quant/Domains), Current Affairs (General Test).

Trends: More case-based/MOQs in 2025—expect continuation; use multiple attempts wisely if retaking.

Safe Score: UG 85+ percentile; PG 200+ marks for top universities.

STUDY TIPS

As of 2026, with CUET UG exam window from May 11–31 and CUET PG in March (tentative March 13–April 1), you have a solid window for focused prep. Both exams are CBT-based MCQs with negative marking (+5/-1 for UG subjects, +4/-1 for most PG papers), so accuracy + speed is key. Study smart: Prioritize NCERT (UG domains) or UG textbooks (PG), practice mocks regularly, revise consistently, and balance with health (7–8 hours sleep, short breaks).

General Study Tips for CUET UG & PG 2026

Understand Syllabus First: Download official PDFs from cuet.nta.nic.in (UG) / exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg (PG). Map high-weight topics (e.g., inference RC in languages, numericals in Quant/General Test).

Daily Routine: Study 5–8 hours/day. Start early; include 1–2 hours revision + current affairs (for General Test).

Practice Strategy: Solve previous year papers (PYQs) weekly + 2–3 full mocks/week from Month 2 onward. Analyze errors (categorize conceptual vs. silly). Attempt all (negative marking exists, but educated guesses help).

Resources: NCERT books (UG domains), Oswal/Arihant/Toprankers mocks, PYQs from NTA site. For PG, use subject-specific UG textbooks + general aptitude books.

Time Management: In mocks, practice 60 min/paper (UG) or 90 min (PG). Build speed without sacrificing accuracy.

Revision & Health: Use flashcards/mind maps for quick recall. Revise weekly. Stay updated on current affairs (GK section). Exercise, eat well, avoid burnout.

Mock Analysis: Track scores; target 85–90%ile+ for UG top universities (DU/BHU); 200+ marks for PG competitive courses.

Balance Boards/Grad: If UG, align with Class 12; for PG, focus on domain depth.

STUDY PLANS

6-Month Study Plan 

Month 1–2: Build Basics & Syllabus Coverage

Cover 50–60% syllabus. Focus on concepts (NCERT for UG domains; UG notes/textbooks for PG).

Daily: 2–3 hours domain/language + 1 hour General Test/Quant/Reasoning + 30 min current affairs.

Weekly: 1 sectional test + revise weak topics.

Milestone: Finish core topics; start PYQs (1–2 papers/week). Mock goal: 60–70% accuracy.

Month 3–4: Intensive Practice & Speed

Complete syllabus; shift to application (case-based, inference questions).

Daily: 3–4 hours targeted practice (high-weight topics like DI/RC/Logical).

Weekly: 3 full mocks + detailed analysis (30–40 min per mock).

Add flashcards for formulas/grammar/vocab. Milestone: Consistent 75–85% in mocks.

Month 5: Peak Revision & Mocks

Full revision cycles (one section/day). Focus on errors from mocks.

Daily: 4–5 mocks/week (simulate exam shifts). Revise PYQs intensively.

Light new learning; heavy on weak areas. Milestone: 85–90+ percentile mocks.

Month 6: Final Polish & Exam Buffer

Light revision + 2–3 mocks/week. Focus on strategy (order: easy sections first).

Relax post-mock; review current affairs/notes. Prepare documents for counselling.

Milestone: Confident, consistent high scores.

CUET EXAMINATION STUDY PLAN

The only deciding factor for the selection or rejection of a candidate is the Strategy & Planning which is used by them for their preparation for the CUET  Examination. A good and result-oriented Strategy & Planning for the examination will definitely allow the candidates to make their way through CUET  Examination. The foremost step in planning involves preparing a study plan based on the Syllabus.

3-MONTH STUDY PLAN

CUET PREPARATION FOR CANDIDATES WHO ARE ONLY LEFT WITH REVISION

1. Identify the sections that you need to work on again.

2. Prepare a strategy accordingly. 

3. If part of the syllabus is still left, try and finish the entire syllabus first.

4. Revise the topics that find comparatively difficult and then move on the relatively easier topics.

5. When you are done with the syllabus, start putting your brain in the exam environment by practising mock tests. These mock tests will also help you with time management on the day of the exam.

6. Go through the previous year question papers to find a pattern of questions and the ones that may seem to be the most important.

CUET PREPARATION FOR CANDIDATES WHO HAVE JUST STARTED PREPARING

1. Make sure you have the right study material for CUET  along with previous year question papers and mock tests.

STUDY TIPS

As of 2026, with CUET UG exam window from May 11–31 and CUET PG in March (tentative March 13–April 1), you have a solid window for focused prep. Both exams are CBT-based MCQs with negative marking (+5/-1 for UG subjects, +4/-1 for most PG papers), so accuracy + speed is key. Study smart: Prioritize NCERT (UG domains) or UG textbooks (PG), practice mocks regularly, revise consistently, and balance with health (7–8 hours sleep, short breaks).

General Study Tips for CUET UG & PG 2026

Understand Syllabus First: Download official PDFs from cuet.nta.nic.in (UG) / exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg (PG). Map high-weight topics (e.g., inference RC in languages, numericals in Quant/General Test).

Daily Routine: Study 5–8 hours/day. Start early; include 1–2 hours revision + current affairs (for General Test).

Practice Strategy: Solve previous year papers (PYQs) weekly + 2–3 full mocks/week from Month 2 onward. Analyze errors (categorize conceptual vs. silly). Attempt all (negative marking exists, but educated guesses help).

Resources: NCERT books (UG domains), Oswal/Arihant/Toprankers mocks, PYQs from NTA site. For PG, use subject-specific UG textbooks + general aptitude books.

Time Management: In mocks, practice 60 min/paper (UG) or 90 min (PG). Build speed without sacrificing accuracy.

Revision & Health: Use flashcards/mind maps for quick recall. Revise weekly. Stay updated on current affairs (GK section). Exercise, eat well, avoid burnout.

Mock Analysis: Track scores; target 85–90%ile+ for UG top universities (DU/BHU); 200+ marks for PG competitive courses.

Balance Boards/Grad: If UG, align with Class 12; for PG, focus on domain depth.

STUDY PLANS

6-Month Study Plan 

Month 1–2: Build Basics & Syllabus Coverage

Cover 50–60% syllabus. Focus on concepts (NCERT for UG domains; UG notes/textbooks for PG).

Daily: 2–3 hours domain/language + 1 hour General Test/Quant/Reasoning + 30 min current affairs.

Weekly: 1 sectional test + revise weak topics.

Milestone: Finish core topics; start PYQs (1–2 papers/week). Mock goal: 60–70% accuracy.

Month 3–4: Intensive Practice & Speed

Complete syllabus; shift to application (case-based, inference questions).

Daily: 3–4 hours targeted practice (high-weight topics like DI/RC/Logical).

Weekly: 3 full mocks + detailed analysis (30–40 min per mock).

Add flashcards for formulas/grammar/vocab. Milestone: Consistent 75–85% in mocks.

Month 5: Peak Revision & Mocks

Full revision cycles (one section/day). Focus on errors from mocks.

Daily: 4–5 mocks/week (simulate exam shifts). Revise PYQs intensively.

Light new learning; heavy on weak areas. Milestone: 85–90+ percentile mocks.

Month 6: Final Polish & Exam Buffer

Light revision + 2–3 mocks/week. Focus on strategy (order: easy sections first).

Relax post-mock; review current affairs/notes. Prepare documents for counselling.

Milestone: Confident, consistent high scores.

CUET EXAMINATION STUDY PLAN

The only deciding factor for the selection or rejection of a candidate is the Strategy & Planning which is used by them for their preparation for the CUET  Examination. A good and result-oriented Strategy & Planning for the examination will definitely allow the candidates to make their way through CUET  Examination. The foremost step in planning involves preparing a study plan based on the Syllabus.

3-MONTH STUDY PLAN

CUET PREPARATION FOR CANDIDATES WHO ARE ONLY LEFT WITH REVISION

1. Identify the sections that you need to work on again.

2. Prepare a strategy accordingly. 

3. If part of the syllabus is still left, try and finish the entire syllabus first.

4. Revise the topics that find comparatively difficult and then move on the relatively easier topics.

5. When you are done with the syllabus, start putting your brain in the exam environment by practising mock tests. These mock tests will also help you with time management on the day of the exam.

6. Go through the previous year question papers to find a pattern of questions and the ones that may seem to be the most important.

CUET PREPARATION FOR CANDIDATES WHO HAVE JUST STARTED PREPARING

1. Make sure you have the right study material for CUET  along with previous year question papers and mock tests.

2. The candidate must have a clear understanding of the syllabus and exam pattern.

3. Look for the important sections that you must cover right in the beginning. Post that, you may move on the less important topics. 

4. General awareness is something that you need to work on every day. The smartest way to cover all the important topics is by taking part in a few GK quizzes for the year .

5. Practice a few mock tests or previous year question papers.

CUET PREPARATION FOR CANDIDATES WHO HAVE NOT STARTED WITH THE PREPARATION AT ALL

1. Most candidates make the mistake of starting with the CUET  Preparation without making a plan. Plans always help candidates study in a systematic way spend some time in making a preparation strategy for CUET.

2. Focus on the important topics and if you are left with no time at all, leave the topics that you have no idea about. 

3. Solve more and more sample question papers/mock tests/previous year question papers which will help you understand the paper better.

OVERVIEW

CUET UG is conducted for admission to undergraduate programmes in central, state, deemed, and private universities across India. The exam tests candidates on language proficiency, domain-specific subjects (as per Class 12 syllabus), and general aptitude. Admissions are based on CUET scores and university-wise merit lists, followed by counselling.

CUET PG is conducted for admission to postgraduate programmes. The test mainly focuses on subject-specific knowledge at the graduation level, along with general awareness or aptitude in some courses. Final admission is done through score-based merit lists and counselling conducted by participating universities.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Eligibility for CUET UG and CUET PG is set primarily by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for appearing in the exam, but final admission eligibility (including minimum marks, subject requirements, age limits if any, and reservations) is determined by individual participating universities—always check the specific university's admission brochure or portal (e.g., DU CSAS, BHU counseling site) alongside the NTA Information Bulletin for your target programs.

CUET UG Eligibility:

Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (or equivalent) from a recognized board. The qualification should be from a single board (no mixing boards for eligibility in most cases).

Subject Flexibility: You can choose any subjects in CUET regardless of what you studied in Class 12 (a recent change allowing greater flexibility), but universities may require specific domain subjects for admission to certain programs (e.g., Mathematics for B.Sc. programs).

Minimum Marks: No uniform minimum percentage set by NTA for appearing in the exam; however, universities often require 50%+ aggregate in Class 12 (with relaxations for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD categories, typically 5% less).

Age Limit: No upper or lower age limit specified by NTA for appearing in CUET UG. Some universities (e.g., certain courses at DU or BHU) may have program-specific age criteria—verify in their guidelines.

Nationality: Open to Indian citizens; foreign nationals or those with overseas qualifications may apply with UGC equivalence certificate if needed.

Other Notes: Final-year/appearing Class 12 students are eligible provisionally; admission is subject to passing Class 12 with required marks/subjects.

CUET PG 2026 Eligibility:

Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from a recognized university, or be in the final year of graduation (awaiting results). Specific programs may require a relevant undergraduate discipline (e.g., B.Sc. for M.Sc., any graduate for many MA/MBA options), but many universities accept graduates from any stream.

Minimum Marks: NTA does not set a uniform percentage for appearing; most universities require at least 50% aggregate in graduation (relaxations of 5% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD categories as per norms).

Age Limit: No upper age limit specified by NTA. Participating universities may impose course-specific age restrictions (rare for most PG programs).

Other Notes: Final-year UG students can apply provisionally; admission depends on completing the degree with required marks. Check university-specific criteria for professional courses (e.g., MBA, LLM, M.Tech) which may need relevant background or entrance test.

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET), conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), follows a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format for both UG and PG levels in 2026. The pattern remains consistent with recent years (no major changes announced in the latest notifications), though subject choices and durations vary. Always confirm the latest details in the official Information Bulletin 2026 downloadable from

OVERVIEW

CUET UG is conducted for admission to undergraduate programmes in central, state, deemed, and private universities across India. The exam tests candidates on language proficiency, domain-specific subjects (as per Class 12 syllabus), and general aptitude. Admissions are based on CUET scores and university-wise merit lists, followed by counselling.

CUET PG is conducted for admission to postgraduate programmes. The test mainly focuses on subject-specific knowledge at the graduation level, along with general awareness or aptitude in some courses. Final admission is done through score-based merit lists and counselling conducted by participating universities.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Eligibility for CUET UG and CUET PG is set primarily by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for appearing in the exam, but final admission eligibility (including minimum marks, subject requirements, age limits if any, and reservations) is determined by individual participating universities—always check the specific university's admission brochure or portal (e.g., DU CSAS, BHU counseling site) alongside the NTA Information Bulletin for your target programs.

CUET UG Eligibility:

Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (or equivalent) from a recognized board. The qualification should be from a single board (no mixing boards for eligibility in most cases).

Subject Flexibility: You can choose any subjects in CUET regardless of what you studied in Class 12 (a recent change allowing greater flexibility), but universities may require specific domain subjects for admission to certain programs (e.g., Mathematics for B.Sc. programs).

Minimum Marks: No uniform minimum percentage set by NTA for appearing in the exam; however, universities often require 50%+ aggregate in Class 12 (with relaxations for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD categories, typically 5% less).

Age Limit: No upper or lower age limit specified by NTA for appearing in CUET UG. Some universities (e.g., certain courses at DU or BHU) may have program-specific age criteria—verify in their guidelines.

Nationality: Open to Indian citizens; foreign nationals or those with overseas qualifications may apply with UGC equivalence certificate if needed.

Other Notes: Final-year/appearing Class 12 students are eligible provisionally; admission is subject to passing Class 12 with required marks/subjects.

CUET PG 2026 Eligibility:

Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from a recognized university, or be in the final year of graduation (awaiting results). Specific programs may require a relevant undergraduate discipline (e.g., B.Sc. for M.Sc., any graduate for many MA/MBA options), but many universities accept graduates from any stream.

Minimum Marks: NTA does not set a uniform percentage for appearing; most universities require at least 50% aggregate in graduation (relaxations of 5% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD categories as per norms).

Age Limit: No upper age limit specified by NTA. Participating universities may impose course-specific age restrictions (rare for most PG programs).

Other Notes: Final-year UG students can apply provisionally; admission depends on completing the degree with required marks. Check university-specific criteria for professional courses (e.g., MBA, LLM, M.Tech) which may need relevant background or entrance test.

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET), conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), follows a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format for both UG and PG levels in 2026. The pattern remains consistent with recent years (no major changes announced in the latest notifications), though subject choices and durations vary. Always confirm the latest details in the official Information Bulletin 2026 downloadable from cuet.nta.nic.in (UG) and exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg (PG), as minor adjustments or slot-specific info may apply.

EXAM PATTERN

The CUET UG & PG exam pattern is designed to test subject knowledge and aptitude through a computer-based test. CUET UG consists of three sections: Language Test, Domain-Specific Subjects, and General Test. The language section tests reading comprehension and basic language skills, domain sections are based on the Class 12 syllabus of the selected subjects, and the general test includes general knowledge, reasoning, and quantitative aptitude. Each question carries five marks, with one mark deducted for each wrong answer. CUET PG is mainly subject-specific, based on the candidate’s graduation syllabus, and is conducted as an online test with multiple-choice questions, following a similar marking scheme of five marks for correct answers and negative marking for incorrect responses.

CUET UG Exam Pattern:

Mode: Fully computer-based (CBT).

Sections & Subjects: Candidates choose up to 5 subjects from:

Section IA: 13 Languages (English, Hindi, regional languages like Tamil, Telugu, etc.).

Section IB: Additional languages (if needed).

Section II: 23 Domain-specific subjects (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, History, Political Science, etc.—aligned with Class 12 NCERT syllabus).

Section III: General Test (General Knowledge, Current Affairs, General Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning, Logical & Analytical Reasoning).

Question Type: All Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with 4 options.

Marking Scheme: +5 marks for each correct answer; -1 for each incorrect answer; 0 for unanswered/unattempted.

Duration: 60 minutes per test paper/subject (candidates take multiple papers in shifts over the exam window).

Total Questions per Paper: Typically 50 questions to attempt (out of 50–60 provided in some cases).

Key Notes: No fixed total questions/marks as it depends on chosen subjects; focus on NCERT-based content for domains; General Test is optional/recommended for many programs.

CUET PG Exam Pattern:

Mode: Fully computer-based (CBT).

Subjects/Papers: 157 test papers across streams (Humanities, Sciences, Commerce, Management, Law, Education, etc.); candidates can choose up to 4 papers based on eligibility and desired PG programs.

Question Type: Mostly Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with 4 options (some papers may have subject-specific variations).

Marking Scheme: +4 marks for each correct answer; -1 for each incorrect answer; 0 for unanswered (standard NTA pattern; confirm in bulletin for any exceptions).

Duration: 90 minutes per paper.

Total Questions per Paper: 75 questions (all to be attempted; pattern uniform across most papers).

Key Notes: Papers in English and Hindi (bilingual where applicable); focus on bachelor's-level domain knowledge; no General Test—each paper is subject-specific.

General Tips for Both:

Exam conducted in multiple shifts over the window (May 11–31 for UG; March for PG), so normalization may apply for fairness.

No sectional time limits within a paper—manage time wisely.

Practice with official mock tests/samples on NTA sites to get familiar with the CBT interface.

From Lucknow, you'll have multiple exam centers nearby—select preferences carefully during application.

EXAM SYLLABUS

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) syllabus for 2026, as prescribed by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is aligned with previous academic levels: Class 11–12 NCERT for UG (domain subjects) and undergraduate-level knowledge for PG. The official syllabi are available as subject-wise PDFs on the NTA websites—download them directly for the most accurate, detailed topic lists, as some subjects have minor rationalizations or updates (e.g., focus on core concepts, reduced rote elements in sciences like Physics/Chemistry).

CUET UG Syllabus:

Divided into three sections:

Section IA & IB (Languages): Covers 13 languages (e.g., English, Hindi, regional like Tamil, Telugu, etc.). Focus on Reading Comprehension, Literary Aptitude, Vocabulary, Grammar, and Language Usage (based on Class 12 level proficiency).

Section II (Domain-Specific Subjects): 23 subjects (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology/Biotechnology, Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, History, Political Science, Geography, Psychology, Sociology, Computer Science, etc.). Syllabus is largely NCERT-based from Class 12, with emphasis on conceptual understanding and application. Examples:

Physics: Mechanics, Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, Modern Physics (some outdated topics rationalized).

Chemistry: Physical, Organic, Inorganic Chemistry (detailed units; some applied topics streamlined).

Mathematics: Algebra, Calculus, Probability, Vectors, etc.

General Test (Section III): General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning, Logical & Analytical Reasoning (optional/recommended for many programs).

Key Tip: Prepare primarily from NCERT textbooks for domains; practice application-based questions. Total subjects: 37 (languages + domains + General Test).

CUET PG Syllabus:

Covers 157 test papers/subjects across streams (Humanities, Sciences, Commerce, Management, Law, Education, etc.), with candidates choosing up to 4.

Each paper is domain-specific, focusing on bachelor's-level knowledge (undergraduate syllabus of the relevant discipline).

Examples:

MA English/Hindi/History/Political Science/Sociology: Core literature/theory, critical analysis, historical events.

M.Sc. Physics/Chemistry/Mathematics/Botany/Zoology/Biotechnology: Advanced undergraduate topics in the subject.

M.Com: Accounting, Business Laws, Economics, Finance.

MBA/Management: General aptitude, quantitative, logical reasoning, business awareness.

LLM: Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, International Law, etc.

Common/General Papers (e.g., COQP11 for certain interdisciplinary programs like LLB equivalents, Library Science, etc.): Language comprehension, general aptitude, domain basics.

Key Tip: Syllabus is subject-specific (no uniform General Test like UG); prepare from standard UG textbooks of your field. Most papers emphasize analytical/application questions.

SELECTION PROCESS

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET), conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is primarily an entrance exam where NTA handles registration, exam conduction, answer key challenges, result declaration, and scorecard provision. NTA does not conduct a centralized counselling or merit list preparation for admissions—selection and final admission are managed individually by each participating university (over 200+ for UG and around 190–200 for PG). This means the process varies by institution (e.g., Delhi University uses CSAS portal, BHU/JNU have their own systems), but follows a merit-based approach using CUET scores.

General Selection Process for Both UG & PG

Appear in CUET Exam - Take the CBT exam in chosen subjects/papers.

Result & Scorecard - NTA declares results (UG: likely late June/July; PG: around April/May) and provides normalized scorecards (percentiles for UG in some cases; raw/normalized for PG). Download from official portals (cuet.nta.nic.in for UG; exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg for PG).

University-Specific Registration for Counselling - After results, register separately on the admission portal of your preferred participating universities (check their websites for notifications, e.g., ugadmission.uod.ac.in for DU). Submit CUET scorecard, personal/academic details, category proof, and pay any counselling/registration fee.

Merit List/Cutoff Preparation - Each university releases its own course-wise/program-wise merit lists or cutoffs based on CUET scores (plus any university-specific weightage, like Class 12 marks in some cases for UG). Factors include exam difficulty, applicant numbers, seats, and reservations (15% SC, 7.5% ST, 27% OBC-NCL, 10% EWS, 5% PwD as per norms).

Choice Filling & Seat Allotment - Fill program/university preferences (if applicable), then participate in online/offline rounds. Multiple rounds may occur if seats remain vacant (spot counselling possible).

Document Verification & Admission Confirmation - Shortlisted candidates upload/verify documents (e.g., Class 10/12 marksheets, degree certificates for PG, category/PwD certificates, ID proof) online or in person at the university. Pay admission/confirmation fees to secure the seat (provisional until full verification).

Final Admission - Complete any remaining formalities (e.g., medical fitness, orientation). Admission is subject to eligibility, merit rank, seat availability, and document authenticity.

Key Differences

CUET UG: Often involves centralized portals for major universities (e.g., DU CSAS for preference filling and allotments). Highly competitive for top ones like DU (~79,000 seats), BHU (~10,000 UG seats). No GD/PI for most programs—purely score-based.

CUET PG: More decentralized; universities release separate merit lists/cutoffs post-results. Counselling may include online registration + offline verification/reporting. Some programs (e.g., MBA/LLM) might have additional criteria.

Important Notes:

Monitor university websites regularly after results—counselling starts soon after (UG: mid-June/July onward; PG: May/June onward, spanning 3–4 months with multiple rounds).

No centralized NTA counselling—apply to multiple universities if targeting several (e.g., DU, BHU, JNU from Lucknow).

Reservations and relaxations apply per university norms.

For exact timelines, cutoffs, documents, and processes, refer to each university's admission brochure (linked via NTA sites) and download the Information Bulletin from cuet.nta.nic.in (UG) / exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg (PG).