CUET UG 2026 (Common University Entrance Test – Undergraduate) is a national exam by NTA for admissions to UG programs in 200+ central/state/deemed universities, replacing individual entrances. Exams run May 11-30, 2026, in CBT mode across 13 languages; registration closed Feb 4, 2026.
Notification Details
Official bulletin released Jan 3, 2026, on cuet.nta.nic.in with dates, pattern (Language + Domain + GAT), and fees. Key timeline: Registration Jan 3-30 (extended Feb 4), corrections Feb 2-4, admit cards/results TBA.
Eligibility Criteria
Class 12 passed/passing (any stream); no age limit; 50% aggregate for general (45% reserved). Choose up to 5 subjects (Language/Domain/GAT); specific courses require relevant domains.
CUET UG 2026 eligibility requires candidates to have passed or be appearing in Class 12 from a recognized board, with no fixed age limit (university-specific rules apply). Minimum marks are 50% for General/OBC (45% for SC/ST/PwD); specific courses like B.Tech may need Physics/Math + lower thresholds.
Category-Wise Academic Criteria
Aggregate in Class 12 (or equivalent) determines basic eligibility; reservations apply at the university admission stage.
| Category | Min. Aggregate in Class 12 | B.Tech Specific | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/EWS | 50% | 45% (with Phys/Math/Chem) | Higher for some unis |
| OBC-NCL | 50% | 45% | NC certificate needed |
| SC | 45% | 40% | Relaxation applies |
| ST | 45% | 40% | Same as SC |
| PwD | 45% | 40% | Disability certificate |
Additional Requirements
Nationality: Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, Nepal/Bhutan citizens, Tibetan refugees (pre-1962), or migrants from specified countries.
Subject combos mandatory for courses (e.g., B.Tech: Lang + Math + 2 subjects). Universities enforce quotas: GEN-EWS 10%, SC 15%, ST 7.5%, OBC 27%, PwD 5%.
CUET UG 2026 Application Process
The process is fully online via cuet.nta.nic.in; registration opened Jan 3, 2026, and closed Feb 4, 2026 (extended), with fee payment up to Feb 7. A correction window ran Feb 2-9, 2026; exams are set for May 11-31.
Step-by-Step Application
Visit cuet.nta.nic.in, click “New Registration,” enter personal details (name, DOB, email, mobile), and verify OTP.
Log in with credentials, fill academic/program preferences, select up to 5 subjects (Language/Domain/GAT).
Upload photo (10-200 KB), signature (4-30 KB), and documents for reserved categories.
Pay fee online (₹800-4500 based on subjects/category); download confirmation.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Start | Jan 3, 2026 |
| Form Submission End | Feb 4, 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Fee Payment Last Date | Feb 7, 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Correction Window | Feb 2-9, 2026 |
| Exam City Intimation | TBA (late April) |
| Admit Cards | TBA (early May) |
| Exams | May 11-31, 2026 (tentative) |
CUET UG 2026 Registration Documents
Candidates needed a valid photo ID, scanned photo/signature, and category certificates (if applicable) for online registration via cuet.nta.nic.in. Prepare files in JPG/PDF format within specified sizes to avoid rejection.
Required Documents List
All uploads are mandatory; keep originals for exam day, too.
| Document | Format/Size | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Passport-size Photo | JPG, 10-200 KB | Profile verification |
| Signature | JPG, 4-30 KB | Authentication |
| Class X Marksheet/Admit | PDF/JPG | DOB, name proof |
| Class XII Marksheet | PDF/JPG | Academic eligibility |
| Category Certificate | PDF, if SC/ST/OBC/EWS | Reservation claims |
| PwD/UDID Certificate | PDF, 50-300 KB | Disability quota |
| ID Proof | JPG/PDF, 10-200 KB | Aadhaar/PAN/Passport, etc. |
Use recent photo (80% face, white background); scan signature on white paper. Category docs must be valid govt-issued; no edits post-correction window. Registration closed Feb 4, 2026. Uploading documents is a key step in the online application form at cuet.nta.nic.in, done after entering personal/academic details. Ensure files meet exact specs (JPG/PDF, specific sizes) to avoid rejection; live photo capture is often required during form filling.
Step-by-Step Upload Process
Follow these after form preview:
Click “Upload Documents” tab in the application dashboard.
Select files from device: Photo (recent color, 80% face, white background), signature (black/blue ink on white paper), Class 10/12 marksheets, category/PwD certificates if applicable.
Preview each upload; crop/resize if prompted (e.g., photo 10-200 KB JPG).
Confirm all are clear/not blurred; proceed to fee payment after verification.
Submit form—confirmation page auto-downloads with images embedded.
File Specifications
| Document | Size | Format | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo | 10-200 KB | JPG/JPEG | Recently, no mask, light background |
| Signature | 4-50 KB | JPG/JPEG | Clear scan, no smudges |
| ID Proof | 10-200 KB | JPG/PDF | Govt-issued (Aadhaar, etc.) |
| Certificates | 50-300 KB | Legible, valid issuance |
CUET UG 2026 Exam Pattern
CUET UG 2026 follows a CBT format with three sections: Languages, Domain-Specific Subjects, and General Test, each lasting 60 minutes with 50 compulsory MCQs (5 marks each, -1 for wrong answers). Normalization applies across shifts; up to 5 test papers are selectable for admissions.
| Section | Questions | Duration | Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| IA/IB (Languages) | 50 | 60 min | +5/-1; comprehension/vocab |
| II (Domain Subjects) | 50 per subject | 60 min/subject | NCERT Class 12 level |
| III (General Test) | 50 | 60 min | GK, quant, reasoning |
No optional questions—all 50 mandatory; uniform 250 marks per paper; reduced to 37 subjects from prior years. Syllabus matches NCERT Class 12; focus on accuracy over speed.
CUET UG 2026 General Test Topics
The General Test (Section III, GAT) in CUET UG 2026 assesses broad skills with 50 MCQs (60 minutes, +5/-1 marking), focusing on GK/current affairs (highest weightage), reasoning, and quantitative aptitude.
Key Topics Breakdown
High-weightage areas from prior analysis: GK (12-19 questions), Reasoning (11-16), Quant (8-15).
| Area | Major Subtopics |
|---|---|
| GK & Current Affairs | History (ancient/modern), Polity, Economy, Geography, Awards, Books/Authors, Sports, Science News, Environment (pollution, climate change) |
| General Mental Ability | Analogies, Series, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Directions, Logical Puzzles |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Arithmetic (ratios, percentages, SI-CI, time/work), Algebra, Geometry/Mensuration, Statistics (mean/median), Numbers |
| General Science | Physics (motion, energy, electricity), Chemistry (acids, metals, reactions), Biology (nutrition, cells, ecosystems) |
| Reasoning | Analytical (statements/arguments), Verbal/Non-Verbal, Mirror Images, Classification |
CUET UG 2026 General Test Weightage
The General Test (Section III) has 50 compulsory MCQs worth 250 marks, with weightage based on past trends: Quantitative Ability (18-20 questions), GK/Current Affairs (12-14), Reasoning (10-12), and Science/Environment (6-8).
Topic-Wise Weightage Table
Expected distribution from analysis (total 50 questions).
| Topic | Expected Questions | % Weightage (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative/Numerical Ability | 18-20 | 35-40% |
| GK & Current Affairs | 12-14 | 25% |
| Logical Reasoning | 10-12 | 20-25% |
| General Science | 4-6 | 10% |
| Environment Literacy | 2-4 | 5-10% |
CUET UG 2026 follows strict NTA CBT protocols for fairness, with biometric verification and no breaks between multiple subjects on the same day. Report 1-2 hours early; gates close 30 minutes prior; PwD gets +20 min/hour extra time with certificate.
Items to Carry
Only permitted essentials allowed; no bags inside.
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Printed Admit Card | Mandatory entry pass |
| Original Photo ID | Aadhaar/PAN/Driving License/Passport/Voter ID |
| Passport Photo | One recent copy |
Violations lead to disqualification.
Electronics (phone, smartwatch, calculator), stationery, bags/wallets.
Food/drinks (transparent water bottle OK outside).
Metallic objects (jewelry, belts, coins).
No communication; assigned computer only.
Dress Code & Reporting
Arrive early for frisking/biometrics.
Simple clothes: Half-sleeve shirts, trousers/slacks, slippers/sandals (no shoes/scarves).
Females: Avoid underwire bras, metallic pins; open hair OK if frisked.
Multiple shifts: Back-to-back subjects (60 min each), no breaks.
During Exam
60-min sessions per subject; follow screen prompts.
Verify details; use the provided rough sheet (return it).
All 50 questions compulsory (+5/-1 marking).
No leaving early; submit via the final button.
CUET UG 2026 Prep Tips
Target the 60-minute GAT format (50 MCQs, +5/-1 marking) with daily practice on high-weightage Quant (35-40%) and GK (25%). Build speed for back-to-back shifts via mocks and PYQs.
Daily Strategy
1 hour GK/Current Affairs: Read newspapers (last 6-12 months), note static facts (history/polity).
1 hour Quant: 50-60 questions on ratios, percentages, algebra; master shortcuts.
45 mins Reasoning: Puzzles, series, blood relations; analyze patterns daily.
30 mins mocks: Full GAT tests, review errors immediately.
High-Yield Focus
Prioritize per weightage: Quant (18-20 Qs), GK (12-14), Reasoning (10-12).
Use NCERT Class 10 basics + apps like Adda247 for quizzes.
Revise formula sheets; track 85%+ accuracy in timed sets.
Mock & Revision Plan
Weekly: 3 full mocks + PYQs (20+ years).
Last 30 days: Daily GAT simulation, weak topic drills.
Exam day: Attempt GK first, skip tough calcs initially.
CUET UG 2026 Official Websites
The National Testing Agency (NTA) manages CUET UG 2026 via dedicated portals for registration, bulletins, and updates. Primary site is cuet.nta.nic.in; always verify announcements there to avoid fakes.
| Purpose | Official Website |
|---|---|
| Main Portal (Apply/Bulletin) | cuet.nta.nic.in |
| NTA Main Site | nta.ac.in/cuetexam |
| Samarth Portal (Legacy) | cuet.samarth.ac.in |
CUET UG 2026 FAQs
NTA provides FAQs in the Information Bulletin at cuet.nta.nic.in, covering registration, eligibility, and exam rules. Here are key Q&As from official guidelines and past trends.
Eligibility & Registration
Q: Is there an age limit for CUET UG 2026?
A: No fixed age limit; universities may set their own. Class 12 passed/appearing qualifies you.
Q: Can I apply after Class 12 results?
A: Yes, appearing students eligible; provisional marks OK if passed by counseling.
Q: How many subjects can I choose?
A: Up to 5 (reduced from 6); Language + Domains + GAT for most programs.
Application Process
Q: What if I miss the correction window (Feb 2-9, 2026)?
A: No further changes; the new form requires a fresh fee for the next cycle.
Q: Is live photo capture mandatory?
A: Yes, webcam/phone during registration for verification.
Exam & Results
Q: Any negative marking?
A: Yes, -1 per wrong answer (+5 correct) across all sections.
Q: When are results expected?
A: Late June 2026 (tentative); valid for university counseling only.
Q: Can I choose an exam center abroad?
A: Select during registration; 200+ cities in India + Dubai, etc.