CUET 2026, or the Common University Entrance Test, is a national-level exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It serves as a gateway for students seeking admission to undergraduate and some postgraduate programs across many Central, State, Deemed, and Private universities in India.
This exam is held once a year in an online computer-based format and tests candidates in three main areas: language skills, domain-specific subjects related to Class 12 syllabus, and general knowledge with reasoning abilities. The exam offers multiple-choice questions with positive and negative marking.
CUET 2026 aims to provide a common platform for fair and transparent admissions to many reputed universities across the country. Students must meet eligibility criteria, including Class 12 qualification and specific subject requirements based on their chosen course.
The exam process includes online application, city intimation, admit card download, exam conduction, result declaration, and university-wise counselling for seat allocation. This system helps simplify admissions and reduces the need for multiple entrance tests.
CUET 2026 Highlights
Below are the main quick facts about CUET 2026 in easy words. CUET (Common University Entrance Test) is a national entrance exam for getting seats in undergraduate (UG) and some postgraduate (PG) courses in many Central, State, Deemed and Private Universities in India.
| Particulars | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | CUET 2026 |
| Full Form | Common University Entrance Test |
| Conducting Body | NTA (National Testing Agency) |
| Exam Level | National (mostly for UG; some universities may use scores for other courses) |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year (held in phases if many students apply) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Courses Through CUET | UG programmes of Central/State/Deemed/Private Universities (some may consider for integrated PG) |
| Exam Fees (India Test Centres) | General: ₹750 • OBC-NCL/EWS: ₹700 • SC/ST/PwD/Transgender: ₹650 |
| Exam Fees (International Centres) | ₹3,750 |
| Exam Slots (Tentative) | Slot I (Morning) • Slot II (Midday) • Slot III (Evening) |
| Marking Scheme | +5 for right answer, –1 for wrong answer, 0 for not answered |
| Medium (Languages) | 13: English, Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, Odia, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Urdu |
| Official Websites | exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-UG and cuetug.ntaonline.in |
CUET 2026 Important Dates
These dates are expected (tentative). Final dates will be given in the official notice. Mark them so no step is missed.
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Application Form Starts | 1st week March 2026 |
| Application Form Ends | Last week of March 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | Last week of March 2026 |
| Advance Exam City Intimation | April / May 2026 |
| Admit Card Phase-Wise Issue | 1 week before each exam slot |
| CUET 2026 Exam Dates | Mid-May – Early June 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key | Mid / Late June 2026 |
| Answer Key Challenge Window | Same week (2–3 days) |
| Final Answer Key | Last week of June 2026 |
| Result / Scorecard | 1st week of July 2026 |
| University Counselling Rounds Begin | July 2026 onward |
CUET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To appear for CUET 2026, candidates must meet the basic requirements set by NTA and participating universities. These include educational qualifications, age criteria, nationality, and subject combinations as per the chosen course.
| Aspect | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Class Qualification | Passed / Appearing in Class 12 (any recognised board) |
| Minimum Marks | Universities set their own % (many ask 50%–60%; some courses need certain subjects) |
| Age Limit | No age limit (follow university course rules if any) |
| Nationality | Indian citizens (and permitted foreign / OCI / NRI as per university rules) |
| Valid Subjects | Choose test papers matching the subjects studied in Class 12 for best eligibility |
CUET 2026 Application Process
Follow these easy steps (all online):
- Visit the official CUET UG website.
- Click “Register” and read instructions.
- Fill basic details (name, email, mobile). Create a password.
- Note your Application Number.
- Log in and fill personal + academic details.
- Select test papers / subjects and exam cities.
- Upload photo and signature (as per size & format).
- Pay fees online (UPI / Card / Net Banking).
- Download and save the confirmation page.
- Keep copies until admission is finished.
CUET 2026 Syllabus
The CUET 2026 syllabus has not yet been revised and is expected to remain the same as the previous year. The CUET 2026 syllabus is divided into three sections—Languages, Domain Subjects, and General Test. It is based on Class 12-level topics, with basic reasoning and comprehension skills to check subject knowledge and logical thinking.
| Section | What It Covers | Simple Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Section I (Languages) | Reading Comprehension (stories, facts), vocabulary, grammar usage | Tests understanding of passages and word skills |
| Section II (Domain Subjects) | Class 12 level NCERT-style syllabus (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Economics, History, Accounts, etc.) | Tests subject knowledge you studied in school |
| Section III (General Test) | General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Logical & Analytical Reasoning, Basic Maths (up to Class 8 level concepts), Numerical Ability | Tests thinking speed and basic reasoning |
CUET 2026 Exam Pattern
It’s not revised and is expected to remain the same as the previous year. CUET 2026 will be conducted online with multiple-choice questions, a +5 marking scheme, and -1 negative marking. Candidates can choose a language, a domain, and general test papers.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer-Based (online) |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Marks per Question | +5 |
| Negative Marking | –1 for wrong answer |
| Unanswered | 0 |
| Language Options | 13 (for Section I); Domain papers usually in English + some regional languages (as applicable) |
| Number of Questions Offered vs To Attempt | Language & Domain papers usually give more questions than you must attempt (pattern to be confirmed in notification) |
| Total Subjects You Can Choose | Follow NTA notice (commonly: a set of Languages + up to 6 Domain + General Test within slot limits) |
| Score Use | Universities make their own merit lists |
CUET 2026 Admit Card
The CUET 2026 admit card will be available online on the official NTA website. Students must check the advance city intimation slip, download the admit card, verify details, and carry a printed copy to the exam centre.
- Check the website for advance city intimation first.
- Download the admit card when the link appears.
- Enter Application Number + Password / DOB.
- Check your name, photo, subjects, date, shift, centre.
- Print 2 copies and keep a soft copy.
CUET 2026 Result
The CUET 2026 result will be published online as a scorecard on the official NTA website. The percentile is not the same as raw marks; it indicates a candidate's position relative to other test-takers. Students can log in using their application details, check section-wise scores, and download the result PDF for counselling and admission purposes.
- The result is released as an online scorecard.
- Log in with Application Number + DOB / Password.
- See section-wise scores and percentiles.
- Download and save the PDF for counselling.
- No re-check normally (computer evaluated).
CUET 2026 Counselling Process
Each university handles its own admission after CUET:
- The university opens the counselling/admission portal.
- Register and fill in course preferences.
- University reviews CUET scores and eligibility.
- Merit list or seat allotment is published.
- Accept the seat and upload documents.
- Pay the admission fee to freeze the seat.
- Physical or online verification (if needed).
- Further rounds are held if seats are still available.
CUET 2026 FAQs
Ques. What is the full form of CUET 2026 and who conducts the exam?
Ans. CUET 2026 stands for Common University Entrance Test, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Ques. When does the CUET 2026 application process begin and end?
Ans. The CUET 2026 application form will start in the 1st week of March 2026 and end in the last week of March 2026.
Ques. What is the exam mode for CUET 2026?
Ans. CUET 2026 is conducted as a Computer-Based Test (CBT).
Ques. What is the marking scheme for CUET 2026?
Ans. CUET 2026 awards +5 marks for each correct answer and deducts 1 mark for each wrong answer, with zero marks for unanswered questions.
Ques. How many languages are available for CUET 2026 exam papers?
Ans. CUET 2026 offers exam papers in 13 languages including English, Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, Odia, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Urdu.
Ques. What is the eligibility criteria for appearing in CUET 2026?
Ans. Candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 from a recognized board, and meet the university-specific minimum percentage marks (usually 50%-60%).
Ques. How can candidates download the CUET 2026 admit card?
Ans. Candidates can download the CUET 2026 admit card from the official NTA website using their Application Number and Password or Date of Birth.
Ques. What does the CUET 2026 result indicate besides raw marks?
Ans. The CUET 2026 result shows percentile scores, which indicate a candidate’s position relative to other test takers, not just raw marks.
Ques. What is the duration of the CUET 2026 exam?
Ans. Each CUET 2026 exam slot lasts approximately 90 minutes.
Ques. How is the counselling process conducted after CUET 2026 results?
Ans. After CUET 2026 results, each university opens its counselling portal where candidates register, fill course preferences, and based on merit lists, seats are allotted and admission formalities are completed.