CUET UG Exam 2026 : Dates, Pattern, Syllabus, Eligibility & Form

The CUET (UG) stands for the Common University Entrance Test (UG) for admission in various undergraduate programs in central, state, and many other top universities. The CUET UG exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The CUET UG 2026 exam will be conducted once a year in May 2026 from 11 May to 31 May 2026, in which applicant can choose their one-day slot for the exam. The exam is a computer-based test (CBT) of three main sections: Language, Domain-Specific and General Test.  Each of the exam sections contains 50 questions of 250 marks. The maximum total marks of the exam depend on the number of subjects chosen by candidates. For example, if any candidates attend five subjects, the maximum total becomes 1250 (250 x 5). 

CUET UG Exam 2026 Important Dates

Note: The dates mentioned above are subject to change based on official notifications.

CUET UG Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria

If any student is looking to appear for the CUET UG 2026 exam, they must meet the following eligibility criteria: 

1. Education qualifications

   1. Students appearing for their Class 12 exams in 2026 are eligible to apply.

   2. Class 12 appearing candidates need to submit their passing certificate at the time of counseling.

   3. Check specific course and university subject requirements, as some programs require particular subjects like Mathematics or Physics.

2. Minimum Marks:

   1. General category: Relevant minimum mark is 50% aggregate in Class 12.

   2. SC/ST category: Relevant minimum mark is 45% aggregate in Class 12.

   3. Relaxation in minimum marks and reservation of seats is applicable for SC/ST/OBC/EWS and PwD candidates as per existing government rules.

3. Age Limit:

   1. There is no age limit: There is no age limitation to apply for the CUET UG 2026 exam.

The CUET UG 2026 application form registration is active from 3 January 2026 and remains open until 30 January 2026.The application can be submitted in online mode from the official NTA website. Candidates must carefully enter all the details correctly and pay the application fee. If any candidate finds a mistake after the application submission, they are allowed to edit their details correctly when the application correction window opens after registration is over.

Click here to check the complete steps to submit the CUET UG application form. 

CUET UG 2026 Application Fee

The application fee for the CUET UG 2026 exam varies according to the candidates' categories. For general candidates, there is an INR 1000 fee for up to three subjects, and if they are attending an additional subject, it charges additional cost of INR 400. The application fee of OBC-NCL/EWS is INR 900 for up to three subjects and INR 375 for each additional subject. The fee for SC/ST/PwBD /Third Gender is INR 800 for up to three subjects and INR 350 for each additional subject. If any candidates are selected CUET UG center outside India costs INR 4,500 for up to 3 subjects and INR 1,800 for each additional subject. 

CUET UG 2026 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

The CUET UG 2026 exam is a computer-based test (CBT), with 60 minutes for each section.  The exam pattern contains three sections: Language Test, Domain-Specific Subjects, and General Test (Aptitude). Section I contains 13 languages, Section II contains questions from 23 Domain-specific subjects. Each section contains 50 multiple-choice questions, carrying a total of 250 marks. Each correct answer will carry +5 marks, while an incorrect answer will carry -1 mark. Unattempted questions will carry 0 (zero) marks.

CUET UG Exam Syllabus 2026

The CUET UG exam syllabus contains questions from Language (choose from 13 subjects), Domain-specific questions that applicants choose from (23 specific subjects), and general text. The questions are based on class 12 and may include questions from class 11 in some cases. In Section I - Language(s), questions cover reading comprehension, literature, grammar, verbal ability, etc.  Section II includes 23 specific subjects such as Chemistry, Math, Physics, Biology, History, Geography, Accountancy, and more. Section III, the General test covers general knowledge, current affairs, general mental ability, logical & analytical reasoning, etc. 

The CUET UG Admit Card 2026 is a crucial document allowing candidates to appear for the exam. The admit card has been released online on the official website of NTA on 05 May 2026. Candidates who registered for the exam can download their admit card from the official CUET website using their login credentials (registration no and password). Candidates are encouraged to check that all details (like name, photograph, exam center, and timing) are correct. Carrying the admit card to the exam center is compulsory for entry and seating.

Read more about CUET UG 2026 Admit Card

CUET UG Answer Key 2026

The CUET UG Answer key 2026 will be published in two stages: provisional answer key and final answer key.  The provisional answer key will typically be released in the third week of June 2026, just a few days after the exam concludes. It contains correct answers for all questions and allows candidates to evaluate their performance. On the basis of the provisional answer key, candidates can raise objections if they find any mistakes with valid proof. After considering challenges, the CUET exam handlers will release the final answer key tentatively in the first week of July 2026, and that will be used to calculate official scores.

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CUET UG 2026 Results

CUET UG 2026 Results will be expected to be announced in the last week of July 2026. Candidates can access their scores and percentile rankings online by logging into the official portal of CUET using their registration ID and password (which candidates create while registering). The results indicate overall performance, including eligibility for admissions across various central, state, private, and deemed universities that consider CUET scores for their undergraduate courses.

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CUET UG 2026 Cutoffs

CUET UG 2026 Exam Cutoffs are the minimum scores that candidates must meet to be admitted to specific courses or universities. These cutoff marks vary by institution, course, and category of the candidate. After the CUET UG results are out, universities release their respective cutoff lists based on seat availability and competition. Candidates who meet or exceed the cutoff mark can proceed to the next stage of counseling and the seat allocation process.

CUET UG Exam 2026 Preparation Tips & Books

Below are the effective preparation points that help aspirants to get a score of 100% in the CUET UG exam. 

• Have a clear understanding of the entire CUET syllabus and exam structure before commencing your preparation.

• Practice past years’ papers and sample papers for clarity on the format of question types and potential level of difficulty.

• Practice mock tests regularly. This will help to build speed, accuracy, and time management skills.

• Follow realistic daily and monthly timeframes covering all parts: Language, Domain Subjects, and General Aptitude.

• Start preparation as early as possible from the NCERT textbooks that can build a strong foundation, especially for domain subjects.

• Be updated with current affairs and general knowledge for General Aptitude.