CUET 2026 Ultimate Guide: Application Form, Exam Date, Syllabus & Pattern
The gateway to India's prestigious universities is open. The Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG) 2026 notification has been released by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Whether you are targeting Delhi University (DU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), or JNU, this exam is your sole path to admission.
This ultimate guide covers every single detail—from the hidden clauses in eligibility criteria to the step-by-step form filling process that ensures your application is accepted.
What is CUET UG?
CUET (Common University Entrance Test) is a national-level all-India entrance examination. It was introduced to provide a single-window opportunity for students seeking admission in any of the Central Universities (CUs) across the country.
Earlier, admission was based on Class 12th Board marks (resulting in 100% cutoffs). Now, Class 12th marks are only for eligibility (passing); your admission depends entirely on your CUET Score.
CUET 2026 Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | CUET UG 2026 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Level | Undergraduate (National Level) |
| Participating Universities | 250+ (45 Central, 37 State, 32 Deemed, 130+ Private) |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Mode of Exam | Hybrid (CBT / Pen-Paper for high volume subjects) |
| Medium | 13 Languages (English, Hindi, etc.) |
| Official Website | cuet.nta.nic.in |
Important Dates 2026
| Event | Date (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 03 January 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 03 January 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 January 2026 |
| Correction Window | 02 - 04 February 2026 |
| Exam City Slip | First week of May 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Second week of May 2026 |
| Exam Dates | 11 May - 31 May 2026 |
| Result Declaration | End of June 2026 |
Detailed Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility is the most confusing part of CUET. It has two layers: NTA's criteria and University-specific criteria.
A. NTA Criteria (Basic)
- Qualification: Passed Class 12th or equivalent from a recognized board.
- Age Limit: No age limit. Even gap year students can apply.
- Appearing: Students appearing in 2026 board exams are eligible.
B. University Criteria (Subject Mapping)
Each university has its own rules. For example:
- Delhi University (DU): You must appear in CUET in the Same Subjects you studied in Class 12th.
- BHU: Requires General Test for many courses.
Always check the Information Bulletin of the specific university before selecting subjects.
Application Fees Structure
The fee depends on how many subjects you choose. (You can choose up to 10 subjects).
*For every additional subject, extra fee applies (approx ₹400/subject).
Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
The exam is divided into 3 sections. Understanding this is key to scoring high.
| Section | Details | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section I (Language) | 13 Languages (Hindi, Eng, etc). Tested on Reading Comprehension. | 40 out of 50 | 45 Mins |
| Section II (Domain) | 27 Subjects (Physics, Hist, Acc). Based on Class 12 NCERT. | 40 out of 50 | 45 Mins* |
| Section III (GT) | General Test (GK, Math, Reasoning). | 50 out of 60 | 60 Mins |
Marking Scheme:
- Correct Answer: +5 Marks
- Wrong Answer: -1 Mark (Negative Marking)
- Unanswered: 0 Marks
Syllabus Breakdown
The syllabus for Domain subjects is strictly Class 12th NCERT. Even deleted chapters might be included, so check the official PDF.
Don't use Class 11th books. Stick to Class 12th NCERT. For General Test, use standard reasoning books and read daily current affairs.
Subject-Wise Overview:
- Languages: Reading Comprehension (Literary, Narrative, Factual), Verbal Ability, Synonyms/Antonyms.
- General Test: GK, Current Affairs, Mental Ability, Numerical Ability (Basic Arithmetic), Logical Reasoning.
- Domain Subjects: Specific chapters from Class 12 NCERT text books.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
-
1
Registration
Visit cuet.nta.nic.in. Click on "New Registration". Enter Name, Email, and Mobile Number to generate Application No.
-
2
Fill Application Form
Login and fill Personal Details, Educational Qualifications (Class 10 & 12 marks).
-
3
Select University & Papers
Select the Universities you want to apply to. Then select the required Test Papers (Subjects).
-
4
Upload Documents
Upload Photo (10-200KB), Signature (4-30KB), and Category Certificate (if applicable).
-
5
Payment
Pay fees via UPI, Credit Card, or Net Banking. Download the confirmation page.
Admission Process (After Exam)
NTA's role ends after declaring results. The admission process is decentralized.
- Result Declaration: NTA releases Scorecard with Normalized Score (Percentile).
- Counselling Registration: You must register on individual university portals (e.g., DU CSAS Portal, BHU Portal).
- Preference Filling: Fill course and college preferences.
- Seat Allocation: Universities release Merit Lists based on CUET scores.
- Admission: Pay fees and verify documents to confirm your seat.
Preparation Tips & Strategy
- Master NCERT: For Domain subjects, NCERT is the Bible. Read every line.
- Mock Tests: Practice at least 20 full-length mocks to manage time (45 mins per subject is very less).
- General Test: Dedicate 1 hour daily for Current Affairs and Quants.
- Previous Year Papers: Solve 2024 and 2025 papers to understand the difficulty level.