NTA CUET UG 2026 — Complete Student Guide
Common University Entrance Test for undergraduate admissions across 240+ Central, State, Deemed & Private universities in India. Dates, fees, eligibility, registration, pattern, tips & FAQs — all in one place.
Important Dates
Application Fee Structure
5 subjects total: ₹1,800
5 subjects total: ₹1,650
5 subjects total: ₹1,500
All categories same
Payment Mode: Online only — Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI. Supported banks: SBI, ICICI, HDFC, Canara. Fee is non-refundable. Confirmation page must be generated to complete registration.
Eligibility Details
Qualification
Passed or appearing in Class 12 / equivalent from any recognised board. Minimum 45% marks (General), 40% for SC/ST/OBC.
Age Limit
No age restriction by NTA. Candidates of any age can apply, subject to individual university requirements.
Nationality
Indian nationals eligible. Foreign nationals, NRIs, OCIs and PIOs can also apply.
No Subject Restriction (New 2026)
Choose any domain subject regardless of Class 12 stream — arts, science or commerce students all qualify.
Reservation Policy
Follows GoI norms — OBC-NCL 27%, SC 15%, ST 7.5%, EWS 10%, PwD 5% with qualifying mark relaxation.
University Criteria
CUET eligibility only qualifies you to appear. Each university separately sets course-wise marks and subject requirements.
How to Register — Step by Step
Visit the Official Portal
Go to cuet.nta.nic.in and click on "New Registration" under CUET UG 2026. Read the information bulletin carefully before proceeding.
Create Your Account
Enter your name, email ID, mobile number and date of birth. Create a strong password and security PIN. An OTP will be sent to your mobile — verify to generate your Application Number. Save credentials safely.
Fill the Application Form
Log in with your Application Number & password. Fill all sections carefully — personal details, address, Class 10 & 12 academic details, category, and preferred exam cities.
Choose Your Subjects (Most Crucial)
Select up to 5 test papers — languages, domain subjects, and/or General Test — based on the university and course you wish to apply for. Cross-check with each university's requirements before selecting.
Upload Documents
Upload scanned copies in JPG/JPEG format. Ensure photograph shows 80% face visibility with white background and ears visible.
Pay the Application Fee
Pay online via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking or UPI. After successful payment, a confirmation page is generated — download and print it. Without confirmation page, registration is incomplete.
Download Confirmation Page & Track Updates
Save your confirmation page as PDF. Regularly visit cuet.nta.nic.in for admit card, city intimation slip, datesheet updates and result notifications.
Important: Only one application per candidate is allowed. No correction is possible after final submission (except in the official correction window). Emergency contact must differ from your registered number.
Selection Process
Syllabus & Exam Pattern
13 Languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu. Tests reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and literary aptitude based on NCERT Class 12 language syllabus.
27 domain subjects across Science, Commerce & Humanities. Entirely based on NCERT Class 12 curriculum. Note: Entrepreneurship, Teaching Aptitude, Fashion Studies, Tourism, Legal Studies & Engineering Graphics removed in 2026.
General Test for programmes not requiring specific domain subjects. Covers 6 major areas — used for admissions of discontinued subject programmes too.
2026 Key Changes: Subjects reduced 63 → 37. All papers fixed at 60 min / 50 questions with no optional questions. No subject restriction based on Class 12 stream. Discontinued subjects now route through General Aptitude Test for admissions.
Passing Criteria & Score Details
Scoring Strategy: +5 for correct, −1 for wrong, 0 for unattempted. Avoid random guessing. If you eliminate 2 options and are fairly confident, attempt the question. Focus on accuracy over attempt count. Scoring 180+ per subject (72%) is a competitive target for top university admissions.
Preparation Tips (Expert-Backed)
Master NCERT First
CUET domain syllabus is 100% NCERT Class 12. Complete every chapter thoroughly — this also strengthens your board exam prep simultaneously.
Make a Daily Timetable
Divide daily slots for language, domain subjects and general test. Dedicate at least 1–2 hours specifically to CUET practice beyond board prep.
Solve PYQs & Mock Tests
Solve 3–5 years of CUET previous year papers per subject. Attempt official NTA mock tests to build CBT familiarity and time management.
Analyse Every Mock Test
After each mock, review wrong and skipped questions. Maintain a mistake log. Identify weak topics and revise them before the next practice session.
Section-wise Strategy
Language: focus on comprehension & vocabulary. Domain: stick to NCERT concepts. General Test: practice reasoning & current affairs daily from authentic sources.
Pick Subjects Smartly
Choose subjects that match the requirements of courses/universities you're targeting. Attempting more subjects adds cost and exam burden without guarantee of benefit.
Avoid Negative Marking Traps
With −1 for wrong answers, accuracy beats attempt count. Skip questions you are fully unsure about. Eliminate options logically before attempting borderline questions.
Revision in Last 2 Weeks
Stop covering new topics. Focus only on revision, short notes, and 2–3 full-length mock tests per week. Ensure good sleep and a calm mindset going into exam day.
Important Links
Additional Details
240+ Participating Universities: All 48 Central Universities (DU, JNU, BHU, AMU, JMI etc.), plus State, Deemed and Private universities accept CUET scores for UG admissions.
PwBD Candidates: 20 minutes of compensatory time per hour. 5% reservation in seat allocation as per GoI norms.
Exam Shifts: CUET is conducted in 2 shifts per day. Exact shift timing is mentioned on the admit card. Report at centre 30 minutes before scheduled time.
Photo Matching (Aadhaar): If uploaded photo doesn't match Aadhaar record, NTA will review and inform the candidate. Submit attested certificate if Aadhaar is unavailable.
APAAR ID: Not mandatory but recommended — it simplifies the login process on the official portal. Students in improvement exams should select "Passed" status in the form.
Post-Exam Steps: After result, apply separately to each university's admission portal with your CUET score. Seat allotment runs in 3–5 rounds based on merit, category and preferences.