CUET UG 2026 — Common University Entrance Test: Single entrance exam for 200+ universities including Delhi University, JNU, BHU, Jamia Millia, and 40+ National Law Universities.Universities: 200+. Exam Dates: May 11–31, 2026. Applicants: 15+ Lakh. Mode: CBT (Online).CUET UG (Common University Entrance Test) introduced in 2022 replaced merit-based admissions (12th marks) at Central Universities (Delhi University, JNU, BHU, etc.) with a standardized entrance exam. Conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency) in computer-based format across multiple sessions. Before CUET, Delhi University had 99%+ cutoffs in board marks — creating unfair scenario where only top 0.5% students could enter. CUET democratized access: 12th board marks are now secondary; entrance exam score determines merit. With 15+ lakh applicants and 200+ participating universities, CUET is among India's largest entrance exams.
Registration OpenUpdated: March 2026
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CUET UG 2026 — Common University Entrance Test
Single entrance exam for 200+ universities including Delhi University, JNU, BHU, Jamia Millia, and 40+ National Law Universities
Universities
200+
Exam Dates
May 11–31, 2026
Applicants
15+ Lakh
Mode
CBT (Online)
📋Key Details
Conducting BodyNTA (National Testing Agency)
Eligibility12th pass from any recognized board (appearing also eligible)
Exam ModeCBT (Computer-Based Test)
Section StructureSection IA/IB (Languages) + Section II (Domain, choose 6) + Section III (General)
Question TypeMCQs (40 per subject attempted, out of 50 offered)
Marking+5 for correct, -1 for wrong, 0 for unattempted
Duration45 minutes per section
Universities AcceptingAll 45 Central Universities + 150+ state/private universities
📝CUET UG (Multi-day, Multi-session)
Attempt max 6 domain subjects. Each section 45 min. Choose sections per university requirements.
Section IA: Language 1 (choose 1 of 13)40 Qs · 200 marks
Section IB: Language 2 (optional)40 Qs · 200 marks
Section II: Domain Subjects (choose up to 6 from 27)40 Qs · 200 marks
Section III: General Test50 Qs · 250 marks
Total0 Qs · Varies by subject selection marks · 45 min per section
⚠️ Negative marking: -1 for wrong, 0 for blank
💰Posts & Salary
BA/BSc at Delhi University(SRCC, Hindu, LSR, St. Stephen's, Miranda House, Ramjas, Ramakrishna Mission)
Further education-dependent; DU graduates at top colleges earn ₹8–15 LPA in IT/FinanceJNU Undergraduate Programs(School of Arts, Social Sciences, Languages, Performing Arts)
JNU graduates pursue research, civil services, journalism, earning ₹5–10 LPA initiallyBHU Varanasi Programs(Engineering, Arts, Science, Law)
BHU engineering graduates: ₹8–12 LPA. Arts graduates: ₹5–8 LPA.📊Top Universities: CUET Cutoff Ranges (2025 Data)
| University | College/Program | CUET Percentile (Gen) | Board Marks Weight | Interview Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi University | SRCC (Commerce) | 99–99.5 | 20% | No (for most) |
| Delhi University | St. Stephen's | 98–99 | 30% | Yes (Supernumerary) |
| Delhi University | Hindu | 97–98 | 25% | No |
| JNU | All Programs | 95–97 | 33% | No |
| BHU | Engineering | 94–96 | 30% | No |
| BHU | Arts/Science | 90–92 | 30% | No |
| Jamia Millia | All | 85–90 | 40% | Some programs |
CUET UG replaced individual university entrance exams. One exam, one application — admission to DU, JNU, BHU, Jamia, and 250+ central universities.
🎓CUET Strategy: Subject Selection Guide
Step 1: Target Universities & Programs — Before CUET registration, shortlist 5–7 universities with their specific programs. DU: SRCC (commerce), St.
Stephen's (versatile), Hindu (sciences), Ramakrishna Mission (all streams). JNU: All programs competitive.
BHU: Engineering + humanities. Jamia: Engineering + humanities.
Each has different subject requirements.
Step 2: Check Exact Subject Requirements — Critical step many students miss. DU's SRCC requires: English (mandatory) + Economics, Accounting, Business Studies (you need 3 of 4).
BHU Engineering requires: Physics, Chemistry, Math, Language. JNU has flexibility — most programs accept interdisciplinary subject combinations.
Check official admission notices on university websites.
Step 3: Strategic Subject Selection — Choose 6 subjects that: (1) You're strong in (aim for 95%+ in each), (2) Satisfy requirements of your top 3 universities, (3) Minimize overlap (reduce prep load).
Example strategy for commerce-legal studies path: English (mandatory, top colleges need it), Economics (commerce + law), Political Science (law + social sciences), History (liberal arts, JNU), Accounting (commerce), Business Studies (commerce).
This 6-subject combo covers: DU commerce, JNU multi-disciplinary, Jamia law.
Stream-wise Combinations: Commerce: English + Economics + Accounting + Business Studies + Math/Statistics + Computer Science (flexibility in last 2).
Science: English + Physics + Chemistry + Biology + Math + Computer Science (all 6 usually required).
Humanities: English + History + Geography + Political Science + Economics + Psychology/Sociology (flexibility in final choices).
Interdisciplinary (trending): English + Economics + Computer Science + Psychology + Environmental Studies + Media Studies (attractive for research-oriented universities like JNU).
🎓Why CUET changed everything
Before CUET, Delhi University admission was based on 12th board marks — students needed 99%+ cutoffs for top colleges. CUET levelled the field by making admission exam-based, regardless of which board you studied under. A CBSE student and a state board student now compete on the same exam.
CUET is NTA-conducted (same body as JEE and NEET) and follows NCERT Class 12 syllabus. Questions are MCQ-based and relatively easier than JEE/NEET.
If you've studied NCERT textbooks thoroughly, you can score well without coaching. This makes it the most accessible gateway to India's best universities.
Strategy for maximum university options
💡Strategy for maximum university options
Choose 5-6 domain subjects that cover maximum university programs. For example: English + Economics + Political Science + History + Mathematics covers BA (Hons) applications across DU, JNU, BHU, and most central universities. Check each university's required subjects before selecting — don't choose subjects randomly.
CUET 2026 expected timeline
💡CUET 2026 expected timeline
Registration: February-March 2026. Admit card: April 2026. Exam: May 2026 (multiple shifts across 2-3 weeks). Results: June 2026. Counselling: July-August 2026. Check cuet.nta.nic.in for official dates. Apply to multiple universities through the common application — one CUET score, multiple admissions.
📅Important Dates
Registration ClosedFebruary 26, 2026
Exam DatesMay 11–31, 2026 (multi-day)
City Slip ReleaseApril first week, 2026
Admit CardMay 8, 2026 (approx)
ResultJune 2026
CounsellingJuly–August 2026
📚Preparation Strategy
1.NCERT 12th textbooks are your core material — read them thoroughly. CUET doesn't go beyond NCERT in difficulty. If you know 12th NCERT well, CUET will be straightforward. Solve all textbook exercises.
2.Domain subjects are 60% of CUET score (6 × 200 = 1,200 marks out of 1,900 total). Focus 70% of preparation on domain subjects. General Test is 250 marks — important but secondary.
3.Current affairs: 30–40 questions in General Test from current affairs (2024–2026). Read The Hindu or Indian Express for 30 min daily, 6 months before exam. Make short notes on major events, policy changes, international news.
4.Practice official NTA mock tests — CUET interface and question pattern are specific. Taking mocks helps you familiarize with: negative marking impact, time management (45 min per section), subject-wise strategy. Take 10–15 full-length mocks by June 2026.