CUET UG 2026: How important is CUET UG for admission to higher education after 12th grade in India?
CUET UG 2026: After 12th grade, the journey towards fulfilling dreams begins. To give their careers a boost, students enroll in various undergraduate courses. Engineering admission (B.Tech) requires passing the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main, and admission to medical courses requires passing the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG. Similarly, for university admissions after 12th grade in India, the Central University Entrance Test (CUET) Undergraduate (UG) is mandatory. This single test allows admission to undergraduate courses in more than 45 universities across the country, including B.Tech programs. This means that one CUET UG exam can grant admission to over 45 universities nationwide.
Let's find out when CUET UG 2026 is conducted, when the application process begins, who can apply, what score is required in CUET UG, and which universities accept CUET UG scores for admission.
Who can apply for CUET UG?
Students who have appeared for or passed their 12th board exams can apply for CUET UG. There is no minimum or maximum age limit to appear for CUET UG, but the university's age-related rules will apply at the time of admission.
When does the application process for CUET UG 2026 begin?
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the Central University Entrance Test (CUET) UG for admission to undergraduate courses after 12th grade. CUET UG is conducted every year in the month of May. The NTA has issued an advisory for CUET UG 2026, stating that the exam will be held in May 2026. However, the schedule has not yet been released.
The application process for CUET UG 2026 will begin in February-March. Students will be given more than a month to apply. Only students who apply will be eligible to appear for the CUET UG exam.
CUET UG 2026 Syllabus
CUET UG is conducted after the 12th grade. The syllabus for the main subjects of CUET UG, conducted by NTA, is based on NCERT. NCERT releases the syllabus every year.
CUET UG 2026
CUET UG 2026 will be held in May.
CUET UG 2026 Subject Combinations
CUET UG is conducted in a total of 37 subjects. A student can appear for CUET UG in 5 subjects out of these 37. These 5 subjects are divided into three parts: 3 core subjects, one or two languages, and a general test. Admission to any university based on the CUET UG score is granted based on the subject combination. For example, students can take admission in a graduation course in the same subjects in which they appeared for the CUET UG.
CUET UG Pattern, Marking Scheme
CUET UG is conducted subject-wise, on different days, and in multiple shifts.
CUET UG is conducted for 200 marks. A total of 50 questions are asked, out of which 40 have to be attempted.
A 60-minute paper is conducted for each main subject.
Different papers are conducted in each shift.
CUET UG consists of multiple-choice questions.
Five marks (+5) are awarded for each correct answer in CUET UG.
One mark (-1) is deducted for each incorrect answer.
No marks are given for unanswered questions.
If the options for an answer are incorrect or the question itself is incorrect, candidates are awarded 5 marks (+5).
In addition to the main subjects, a language test and a general test are also conducted in CUET UG. Admission to these universities through CUET UG
Serial Number | University Names
1 | Aligarh Muslim University
2 | Assam University
3 | Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University
4 | Banaras Hindu University
5 | Central University of Andhra Pradesh
6 | Central University of South Bihar
7 | Central University of Gujarat
8 | Central University of Haryana
9 | Central University of Himachal Pradesh
10 | Central University of Jammu
11 | Central University of Jharkhand
12 | Central University of Karnataka
13 | Central University of Kashmir
14 | Central University of Kerala
15 | Central University of Odisha
16 | Central University of Punjab
17 | Central University of Rajasthan
18 | Central University of Tamil Nadu
19 | Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya
20 | Guru Ghasidas University
21 | Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University
22 | Indira Gandhi National Tribal University
23 | Jamia Millia Islamia
24 | Jawaharlal Nehru University
25 | Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya
26 | Manipur University
27 | Maulana Azad National Urdu University
28 | Mizoram University
29 | Nagaland University
30 | North Eastern Hill University
31 | Pondicherry University
32 | Rajiv Gandhi University
33 | Sikkim University
34 | Tezpur University
35 | The English and Foreign Languages University
36 | Tripura University
37 | University of Allahabad
38 | University of Delhi
39 | University of Hyderabad
40 | Visva-Bharati University
41 | Mahatma Gandhi Central University
42 | Central Sanskrit University, Delhi
43 | Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University
44. National Sanskrit University
45. Central Tribal University, Andhra Pradesh
46. Summakka Sarakka Central Tribal University
Admission through CUET UG
The biggest change brought about by the implementation of CUET UG is that admission to university undergraduate courses is now based on CUET UG scores, not on Class 12th marks. Previously, many universities, including Delhi University, granted admissions based on Class 12th marks, while several others conducted their own entrance tests. Now, all the universities included in the list grant admissions based on CUET UG scores.
However, passing CUET UG does not guarantee admission to any university. It is essential that students meet the program-wise eligibility criteria of the respective universities in addition to their CUET UG score.
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