CUET Admission 2026: Application Process and Selection Criteria
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- 22 Oct 2026CUET UG Login and Registration online guidelines updated for applicants
NTA portal access guidelines and registration step-by-step update published for candidates preparing for upcoming CUET admission sessions.
CUET UG (Common University Entrance Test) is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to undergraduate courses across central, state, private, and deemed universities in India. Candidates who have passed or are appearing for their Class 12 exams can apply online at exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-UG.
Over 250 universities recognize CUET UG scores, with application fees starting at INR 1,000 for General category candidates. Below is the complete guide covering eligibility rules, examination patterns, registration fees, reservation policies, top universities, and required documents for 2026 admissions.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG) |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Age Limit | No minimum or maximum age limit specified |
| Number of Allowed Attempts | No limit over attempts |
| Application Fee (General) | INR 1,000 (for up to 3 subjects) |
| Official Portal | exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-UG |
CUET Eligibility
To qualify for CUET UG, candidates must have passed their Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent examination from a recognized central or state educational board. Students appearing for their final Class 12 qualifying exams in the current academic year are also eligible to apply for the entrance test.
The National Testing Agency has not specified any lower or upper age limit for taking the CUET UG exam. Additionally, there is no restriction on the number of attempts a candidate can make, provided they fulfill the qualifying examination standards specified by participating universities. Indian citizens, foreign nationals, and eligible refugees or migrants residing permanently in India meet the basic nationality guidelines to appear for the examination.
CUET Application Process
| Category | Fee for Up to 3 Subjects | Fee for Each Additional Subject |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | INR 1,000 | INR 400 |
| OBC-NCL / EWS | INR 900 | INR 375 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Transgender | INR 800 | INR 350 |
| Centers Outside India | INR 4,500 | INR 1,800 |
| Event | Tentative Timeline |
|---|---|
| Release of Official Exam Notification | Announced |
| Start of Online Application Form | January |
| Application Form Correction Window | February |
| Exam City Intimation Slip Release | April |
| Admit Card Download | May (3-4 days prior to exam) |
| Conduct of CUET UG Examination | May to June |
The application process for CUET UG is conducted online through exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-UG. Candidates can select up to 3 subjects under the base registration fee, with an extra fee applicable for each additional subject.
Documents Required
- Printed CUET UG Admit Card: Downloaded online from cuet.nta.nic.in using application number and date of birth.
- Passport-Size Photograph: Passport-size photo to be carried to the exam center and attached to the attendance sheet.
- Official Photo ID: Valid photo identification such as Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter ID, driver’s licence, or passport.
- PwBD Certificate: Disability certification to carry to the examination center on exam day, if applicable.
Candidates must download their admit card online from cuet.nta.nic.in using their application number and date of birth. Bringing the printed hall ticket, a passport-size photograph, and an official photo ID to the exam center is mandatory.
CUET Seats and Category-Wise Reservation Policy
CUET UG seat allocation follows the reservation guidelines established by the Central Government of India for participating central universities and government-funded institutions. Mandatory reservation percentages are reserved across participating undergraduate programs for eligible categories.
| Category | Reservation Percentage |
|---|---|
| General Economically Weaker Sections (GEN-EWS) | 10% |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 7.5% |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC Non-Creamy Layer) | 27% |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | 5% |
Top CUET Colleges
Over 250 universities accept CUET UG scores for admission to their undergraduate programs. These include leading central universities, state universities, deemed universities, and private institutions across India. Candidates apply to individual member universities based on published cut-offs and program eligibility rules.
| University Name | State / UT | Official Portal |
|---|---|---|
| University of Delhi (DU) | New Delhi | du.ac.in |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) | New Delhi | jnu.ac.in |
| Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) | New Delhi | jmi.ac.in |
| University of Hyderabad | Telangana | uohyd.ac.in |
| Mahatma Gandhi Central University | Bihar | mgcub.ac.in |
| Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University | Uttarakhand | hnbgu.ac.in |
How to Apply for CUET Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Check eligibility criteria: Verify that you have passed 10+2 or an equivalent examination from a recognized board, or are appearing in your final year.
- Register online at NTA portal: Access the official registration portal at exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-UG to complete the application process.
- Select subject combinations: Choose papers across Section 1 (Languages), Section 2 (Domain-Specific Subjects based on NCERT Class 12 syllabus), and Section 3 (General Test).
- Pay application fee: Pay INR 1,000 for General (UR), INR 900 for OBC-NCL / EWS, or INR 800 for SC / ST / PwD / Transgender for up to 3 subjects.
- Download CUET UG admit card: Access cuet.nta.nic.in 3-4 days prior to the exam to download your official hall ticket using your application number and date of birth.
- Appear for CBT entrance examination: Bring a printed hall ticket, passport-size photograph, and an official government photo ID to the examination center for the Computer Based Test.
- Submit scores to participating institutions: Apply to eligible undergraduate programs across over 250 universities in India that recognize CUET scores.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| exam registration | NTA CUET Admit Card & Candidate Portal | cuet.nta.nic.in |
| Compare colleges, fees and cutoffs | CUET colleges in India | findmycollege.com |
The National Testing Agency conducts the CUET UG exam once a year in Computer Based Test mode. Over 250 universities across India recognize CUET scores for admission to undergraduate programs.
FAQs
Is there negative marking in CUET?
Yes. Each correct answer carries +5 marks, while incorrect options lead to negative marking. Unanswered questions or those marked for review carry zero marks.
Is CUET only 12 syllabus?
Yes. Domain-specific subjects listed under Section 2 of the CUET UG examination are modeled exclusively on the NCERT Class 12 syllabus prescribed for secondary education.
What is the age limit for CUET UG eligibility?
There is no minimum or maximum age limit prescribed by NTA for appearing in the CUET UG examination. Candidates must satisfy the 10+2 educational qualification.
How do I download my CUET UG admit card?
Visit the official website at cuet.nta.nic.in, select the admit card link, log in using your application number and date of birth, and download the printable hall ticket.
What subjects are included in the CUET exam?
CUET UG includes Section 1 (Languages), Section 2 (Domain-Specific subjects aligned with Class 12 NCERT), and Section 3 (General Test covering GK, Current Affairs, Quantitative Aptitude, and Logical Reasoning).
How many attempts are allowed for CUET?
There is no restriction on the number of attempts for CUET UG, provided candidates meet the qualification criteria specified by participating universities.
