CUET UG Exam 2026 – Exam Date, Syllabus, Pattern
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG) 2026 is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for students seeking admission to undergraduate programs in central, state, and participating universities across India. The test offers a single-window, standardized platform for admissions, eliminating the need for multiple entrance exams and ensuring transparency in the selection process.
CUET UG 2026 aims to level the playing field for all students, particularly those from rural and underrepresented backgrounds, by providing equal opportunities and merit-based selection. The exam will be held in multiple languages and will assess students on language proficiency, domain-specific knowledge, and general aptitude.
With CUET scores, aspirants can apply to several prestigious universities, reducing the dependence on Class 12 board marks and creating a fairer system for higher education admissions.
CUET UG Official Website Link
CUET UG 2026 Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common University Entrance Test (CUET) UG 2026 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Number of Subjects | 37 (13 languages, 23 domain subjects, 1 general test) |
| Maximum Subjects to Choose | Up to 5 |
| Duration of Each Exam | 60 minutes per subject |
| Question Format | MCQs – All compulsory |
| Scoring System | +5 for correct, -1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted |
| Eligibility | Class 12 pass (any stream) – Subject & score requirements vary by university |
| Exam Dates (Tentative) | May–June 2026 |
CUET UG 2026 Notification & Important Dates
- Notification Release – 1st week of March 2026 (tentative)
- Registration Starts – Last week of February 2026
- Registration Ends – Last week of March 2026
- Correction Window – 1st week of April 2026
- Admit Card Release – 2nd week of May 2026
- Exam Dates – May–June 2026
- Result Declaration – End of June 2026
CUET UG 2026 Registration Process
- Visit the official CUET UG website (cuet.nta.nic.in).
- Click on ‘New Registration’ and read the guidelines carefully.
- Fill in personal details, academic information, and subject preferences.
- Upload photograph, signature, and required documents.
- Pay the application fee online.
- Download and save the confirmation page.
CUET UG 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Up to 3 Subjects | Each Additional Subject |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | ₹1000 | ₹400 |
| OBC-NCL/EWS | ₹900 | ₹375 |
| SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender | ₹800 | ₹350 |
| Centres Outside India | ₹4500 | ₹1800 |
CUET UG 2026 Exam Pattern
| Section | No. of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Language | 50 | 60 minutes |
| Domain Subject | 50 | 60 minutes |
| General Test (GAT) | 50 | 60 minutes |
CUET 2026 Marking Scheme
The CUET UG total marks vary based on the number of subjects chosen and the slot allotted to the candidate. The CUET 2026 marking scheme, as per NTA is as follows:
- For every correct answer or the most appropriate answer: Five marks (+5)
- For any incorrect option chosen, a mark will be deducted: one mark (-1)
- Unanswered/Marked for Review will receive no mark (0).
- If more than one option is found correct, five marks (+5) will be awarded to those who have marked any of the correct options.
- If all options are found correct, five marks (+5) will be awarded to all those who have attempted the question.
- If none of the options is found correct or a question is found to be wrong or dropped, all candidates who have attempted the dropped question will receive five marks (+5) marks.
CUET UG 2026 Syllabus
The CUET UG 2026 syllabus will be released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) along with the official exam notification. It will be based on the NCERT Class 12 curriculum, ensuring that students preparing for board exams have an aligned preparation path. The syllabus is divided into three main sections: Language, Domain Subjects, and the General Test.
Section-Wise CUET UG 2026 Syllabus
| Section | CUET 2026 Syllabus / Question Types |
|---|---|
| Language Test | Reading Comprehension (Factual, Literary, Narrative), Literary Aptitude, and Vocabulary |
| Domain Subjects | Based on Class 12 syllabus for subjects like Accountancy, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics, History, Mathematics, Physics, Political Science, and more |
| General Test | General Knowledge, Current Affairs, General Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning (up to Class 8), Logical & Analytical Reasoning |
CUET UG 2026 Subject List
Students can choose from 37 subjects across three sections, with a maximum of five subjects in total. The selection depends on the eligibility and requirements of the target university.
Section I: Languages (Choose one)
English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu.
Section II: Domain-Specific Subjects (Choose one to three)
Accountancy/Bookkeeping, Agriculture, Anthropology, Biology/Biotechnology/Biochemistry, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science/Informatics Practices, Economics/Business Economics, Environmental Studies, Fine Arts/Visual Arts/Commercial Art, Geography/Geology, History, Home Science, Knowledge Tradition & Practices in India, Mass Media/Mass Communication, Mathematics/Applied Mathematics, Performing Arts, Physical Education/NCC/Yoga, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Sanskrit, Sociology.
Section III: General Aptitude Test (GAT) (Mandatory if no language or domain is chosen)
General Knowledge & Current Affairs, General Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning (up to Grade 8), Logical & Analytical Reasoning, General Science & Environmental Literacy.
CUET UG 2026 Science Stream Subjects
| Subject Name | Subject Category |
|---|---|
| Physics | Core Science Subject |
| Chemistry | Core Science Subject |
| Biology / Biotechnology / Biochemistry | Life Science Subjects |
| Mathematics | Core Science Subject |
| Computer Science / Informatics Practices | Technical Subject |
| Environmental Studies | Interdisciplinary Science |
| Agriculture | Applied Science Subject |
| Home Science | Applied Science Subject |
| Psychology | Life Science (Human Behavior) |
CUET UG 2026 Arts Stream Subjects
| Subject Name | Subject Category |
|---|---|
| History | Core Humanities Subject |
| Political Science | Core Humanities Subject |
| Geography / Geology | Humanities / Earth Science |
| Economics / Business Economics | Social Science Subject |
| Psychology | Social Science / Human Behavior |
| Sociology | Social Science Subject |
| Sanskrit | Classical Language Subject |
| Fine Arts / Visual Arts | Creative Arts Subject |
| Performing Arts (Dance, Music, Drama) | Creative & Performing Arts |
| Mass Media / Mass Communication | Communication & Journalism |
| Home Science | Interdisciplinary Subject |
| Knowledge Tradition and Practices of India | Cultural Studies Subject |
| Anthropology | Social Science Subject |
CUET Registration Statistics (Past Years)
| Year | Applicants | Appeared |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13,54,699 | 10,71,735 |
| 2024 | 13,47,820 | 11,13,610 |
| 2023 | ~14,00,000 | ~11,16,000 |
| 2022 | 14,90,293 | 9,68,201 |
Preparation Tips by The Prayas India
- Understand the syllabus – Focus on NCERT Class 12 topics for domain subjects.
- Practice previous years’ papers – Helps understand question patterns.
- Time management – Allocate equal preparation time for all sections.
- Mock tests – Regular CBT mock tests to improve accuracy and speed.
- Revision – Keep at least 2–3 weeks before the exam only for revision.
At The Prayas India, we provide structured CUET coaching programs with expert guidance, interactive study materials, mock tests, and doubt-solving sessions to ensure you achieve your dream university admission.
Conclusion
The CUET UG 2026 exam is a golden opportunity for students to secure admission to top universities in India through a single, standardized test. With proper preparation, the right guidance from The Prayas India, and a disciplined study plan, aspirants can maximize their chances of success. Start early, stay consistent, and aim high – because CUET 2026 can be your gateway to a bright academic future.
