CUET Exam 2026

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) 2026 is set to be one of the most significant competitive exams in India for undergraduate admissions. Introduced by the Ministry of Education and conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), CUET creates a single window opportunity for students to seek admission in any of the Central Universities (CUs) and other participating state, private, and deemed universities across the country.

This comprehensive guide covers absolutely everything a student needs to know about CUET 2026—from application details to the final result declaration. Whether you are aiming for Delhi University (DU), BHU, JNU, or Jamia, this is your one-stop resource.

What is CUET Exam 2026?

CUET (UG) - 2026 stands for the Common University Entrance Test for Undergraduates. It is a national-level entrance exam that standardizes the admission process, moving away from high Class 12th cut-offs. The exam evaluates students on a common platform, providing equal opportunities to candidates from different boards (CBSE, ICSE, State Boards).

The exam is conducted in a hybrid mode (Pen & Paper / CBT) depending on the number of applicants for specific subjects, and it is held in 13 languages including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, etc.

CUET 2026 Important Dates

Staying updated with the timeline is crucial. Below is the tentative schedule for CUET 2026 based on previous trends.

Event	Tentative Date
Notification Release	February 2026 (Last Week)
Online Application Starts	First Week of February 2026
Last Date to Apply	First Week of April 2026
Correction Window	Second Week of April 2026
Announcement of City of Exam	End of April 2026
Admit Card Release	Second Week of May 2026
CUET 2026 Exam Date	Mid-May to Early June 2026
Result Declaration	End of June 2026

Eligibility Criteria for CUET 2026

Before applying, candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility requirements set by the NTA and the specific universities they are targeting. You can read the detailed CUET Eligibility and Application Process here.

1. Educational Qualification

• Candidates must have passed Class 12th or an equivalent examination from a recognized board.
• Students appearing for their Class 12th board exams in 2026 are also eligible to apply.

2. Age Limit

• According to NTA, there is no upper age limit for appearing in CUET (UG) 2026.
• However, candidates must check the age criteria of the specific university they wish to apply to, as some institutions maintain their own age restrictions.

3. Minimum Marks

• There is no aggregate minimum marks requirement to appear for the entrance test itself.
• Universities (like DU or BHU) may require a minimum percentage (e.g., 50% for General, 45% for SC/ST) in Class 12th for admission into specific courses.

CUET 2026 Syllabus & Exam Pattern

The CUET exam is divided into three sections. The syllabus is largely based on the Class 12th NCERT curriculum. For a deep dive, check out the full CUET Syllabus and Pattern guide.

Section IA & IB: Languages

This section tests reading comprehension, literary aptitude, and vocabulary. It includes 13 languages in Section IA and 20 languages in Section IB. Passages can be Factual, Literary, or Narrative.

Section II: Domain-Specific Subjects

There are 27 Domain-Specific subjects (e.g., Physics, History, Accountancy). A candidate may choose up to 6 domain subjects.

• Syllabus: Strictly based on Class 12 NCERT textbooks.
• Topics: Varies per subject. For example, Physics includes Electrostatics, Magnetism, Optics, etc.

Section III: General Test

This is optional depending on the university requirement for the course (e.g., BBA, BMS). The syllabus includes:

• General Knowledge & Current Affairs
• General Mental Ability
• Numerical Ability (Grade 8 level math)
• Quantitative Reasoning
• Logical and Analytical Reasoning

Reservation Policy

CUET 2026 follows the Government of India reservation norms for admission to Central Universities:

• GEN-EWS: 10% of seats
• OBC-NCL: 27% of seats
• SC (Scheduled Castes): 15% of seats
• ST (Scheduled Tribes): 7.5% of seats
• PwD (Persons with Disabilities): 5% in each category

Admit Card for CUET 2026

The Admit Card is a mandatory document. Without it, entry to the exam hall is prohibited. It is usually released in phases.

How to Download:

1. Visit the official website (exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-UG).
2. Click on the "CUET 2026 Admit Card" link.
3. Log in using your Application Number and Date of Birth.
4. Download and print the admit card.

Exam Centers

CUET 2026 will be conducted in hundreds of cities across India and several cities abroad. While filling out the application form, candidates can select up to 4 preferred cities. NTA attempts to allot the first preference, but it depends on availability.

Answer Key & Result

Provisional Answer Key: Released 1-2 weeks after the exam. Candidates can challenge specific questions by paying a non-refundable fee per question.

Final Answer Key: Released just before the results, incorporating valid challenges.

Result: The NTA releases the CUET Scorecard. This scorecard contains the percentile score and raw score for each subject. There is no common "Rank List"; instead, universities release their own merit lists based on these scores.

Expected Cutoff for 2026

There is no single "CUET Cutoff." Each participating university releases its own cutoff or merit list.

• Top Universities (DU, BHU, JNU): Expect high competition. For top courses like B.Com (Hons) or Political Science (Hons) in North Campus (DU), the percentile requirement often exceeds 98-99%ile.
• Moderate Universities: Cutoffs may range between 80-90%ile.
• Private Universities: May accept lower scores or conduct personal interviews.

Documents to Carry on CUET Exam Day 2026

Make sure you prepare your exam kit the night before. Failing to produce these documents will result in disqualification from taking the test.

1. Printed Admit Card: A clear printout (preferably color) on A4 size paper.
2. Passport Size Photograph: Same as uploaded in the application form (to be pasted on the attendance sheet).
3. Valid ID Proof: (See list below).
4. PwD Certificate: If claiming relaxation under the PwD category.

List of Acceptable ID Proofs

You must carry one original, valid, and non-expired photo identification proof:

• Aadhaar Card (with photograph)
• PAN Card
• Driving License
• Voter ID
• Passport
• Class 12 Board Admit Card with photograph
• Bank Passbook with photograph

Last-Minute Preparation Strategy

Even if you have studied hard all year, the final days are critical. Here is a strategy to maximize your score:

1. Mock Tests are Key

Solve at least one full-length mock test daily during the last month. You can start practicing with Online MCQ & Mock Tests to manage time, especially for the General Test which is speed-intensive.

2. Solve Previous Year Papers

Understanding the pattern is crucial. Download and solve CUET Previous Year Question Papers to get familiar with the difficulty level and question types.

3. Focus on NCERT

For domain subjects, do not go beyond NCERT. NTA sticks strictly to the NCERT lines. Review the summary boxes and highlighted texts in your textbooks.

4. Revise, Don't Learn New Topics

In the last week, do not pick up new complex chapters. Focus on strengthening what you already know to ensure accuracy. Negative marking (-1) can ruin your rank.