CUET (UG), the Common University Entrance Test, is a computer-based exam run by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to bachelor's courses at central and other participating universities. You need it only if a university you want uses it for your course.
Last checked on 1 November 2026. The facts below come from the CUET (UG) 2026 Information Bulletin, the latest we could read. We found no CUET (UG) 2027 notice on the official site when we checked, so confirm every rule when the 2027 bulletin is published.
What is the CUET UG pattern?
| Item | CUET (UG) 2026 |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer Based Test only |
| Subjects offered | 37: 13 languages, 23 domain subjects, 1 General Aptitude Test |
| How many you can choose | Up to 5, counting languages and the General Aptitude Test |
| Questions in each paper | 50, all compulsory |
| Time for each paper | 60 minutes |
| Right answer | +5 |
| Wrong answer | -1 |
| Left blank | 0 |
| Question paper languages | 13: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu |
You read each paper in English and in the language you chose in your form. If the two versions differ, the English one counts. Persons with benchmark disabilities get 20 extra minutes for each hour.
What is on the syllabus?
- Languages. Reading comprehension with factual, literary and narrative passages, plus literary aptitude and vocabulary.
- Domain subjects. These follow the NCERT syllabus. Examples include Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, History, Geography, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology.
- General Aptitude Test. General knowledge, current affairs, mental ability, numerical ability, simple arithmetic and algebra, and logical reasoning.
The NTA publishes the full syllabus for each paper on the CUET site.
Who needs CUET UG?
You need it if your target course at your target university lists it as the route. Do not assume. Many universities are on the list and still use CUET for only some courses. Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University are both in the bulletin's central universities list, yet in 2026-27 both used their own tests for many bachelor's courses.
You do not need CUET for courses that use another exam. For example, M.B.B.S. uses NEET, and National Law Universities use CLAT.
The bulletin says you may choose papers regardless of your Class 12 subjects. It also says to pick papers according to the eligibility of your course at your university. So read the university's rules first, and then choose your papers.
Who can sit the exam?
The 2026 bulletin sets no age limit for the exam. You can appear if you have passed Class 12 or an equivalent, or if you are appearing that year. A university may have its own limit on age, year of passing or marks. Passing CUET alone does not give you a right to admission.
How much did it cost?
| Category | Up to 3 subjects | Each additional subject |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | Rs. 1,000 | Rs. 400 |
| OBC-NCL and EWS | Rs. 900 | Rs. 375 |
| SC, ST, PwD, PwBD, Third gender | Rs. 800 | Rs. 350 |
| Centres outside India | Rs. 4,500 | Rs. 1,800 |
These are 2026 fees. Bank and payment charges are extra. The fee is not refunded.
When did the 2026 cycle happen?
These are past dates, shown so you know the season to watch.
| Step | 2026 date |
|---|---|
| Online form | 3 to 30 January 2026 |
| Last date to pay | 31 January 2026 |
| Corrections | 2 to 4 February 2026 |
| Exam window (tentative at the time) | 11 to 31 May 2026 |
What happens after the result?
The NTA's job ends with the result and the scorecard. It does not prepare a merit list or run counselling. Each university declares its own merit list and admission schedule, so you often have a separate form to fill for each university. The 2026 score was valid only for the 2026-27 session. There is no re-checking of results.
Because exams run in several shifts, raw marks are converted to an NTA score. Your score is not simply marks out of a total.
Frequently asked questions
How many marks is each paper out of?
With 50 questions at 5 marks each, the maximum in a paper is 250. That is simple arithmetic from the bulletin's marking scheme.
Can a PCB student take a Commerce paper?
The rules allow you to choose any paper regardless of your Class 12 subjects. But your university may not accept it for a course, so check first.
Is there a limit on attempts?
The 2026 bulletin sets no age limit, and we did not find a stated limit on attempts. Each score is only for its own year, and a university's rules on year of passing may still apply.
Which universities take part?
The official list is on the CUET site, sorted into central, state, deemed, private and other government institutions. Check your university there and in its own prospectus.
Official sources
- https://cuet.nta.nic.in/
- https://cuet.nta.nic.in/participating-universities/
- https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3d1a21da7bca4abff8b0b61b87597de73/uploads/2026/01/202601031633478370.pdf
- https://admission.jmi.ac.in/application/assets/pdfFile/prospectus/UniversityProspectus/University_Prospectus_2026_2027.pdf
- https://www.amucontrollerexams.com/uploads/files/c7cabd0dcdcb3d7793446b0ea7c88a49.pdf
Written from the official sources listed above, with no second reader yet. Notices change, so confirm every date on the official website. Nikaalle is not linked to any exam body.