CUET Colleges List and Fees 2026: Top Participating Universities
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Over 280 universities participate in CUET UG 2026, comprising approximately 48 central, 39 state, 26 deemed, 113+ private, and 7 government institutions. The NTA CUET application fee for up to three subjects ranges from ₹800 for SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender candidates to ₹1,000 for General UR candidates, with additional fees charged per extra subject paper.
Below is a complete breakdown of participating central, state, deemed, and private universities, popular degree courses, examination fee structures, shortlisting criteria, and step-by-step admission procedures for 2026 applicants.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Participating Universities in CUET UG 2026 | 280+ Universities |
| Breakdown of CUET 2026 Participating Institutions | 48 Central, 39 State, 26 Deemed, 113+ Private, 7 Government |
| Exam Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Structure | 3 Sections (Language, Domain-Specific Subjects, General Awareness); 50 MCQs per section |
| CUET Application Fee (Up to 3 Subjects) | General (UR): ₹1000 | OBC-NCL/EWS: ₹900 | SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender: ₹800 | Outside India: ₹4500 |
| Official Examination Website | https://cuet.nta.nic.in/ |
Top CUET Colleges
Over 280 universities participate in CUET UG 2026, providing undergraduate aspirants across India with a single-window entrance route. This higher education network includes 48 central universities, 39 state universities, 26 deemed universities, 113+ private universities, and 7 government institutions. As per NTA updates, 185 universities officially confirmed early participation for the 2026 examination cycle, with additional institutions completing registration prior to the test date.
Students taking CUET can select from top-ranked national universities offering traditional academic degrees, specialized honors programs, and professional technology courses. Selecting target universities during NTA registration ensures candidates remain eligible for institutional seat allocation rounds after entrance scores are declared.
Government CUET Colleges
| S.No. | University Name | State | Official Portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Delhi | New Delhi | du.ac.in |
| 2 | Banaras Hindu University | Uttar Pradesh | bhu.ac.in |
| 3 | Jawaharlal Nehru University | New Delhi | jnu.ac.in |
| 4 | Aligarh Muslim University | Uttar Pradesh | amu.ac.in |
| 5 | Jamia Millia Islamia | New Delhi | jmi.ac.in |
| 6 | University of Hyderabad | Telangana | uohyd.ac.in |
| 7 | Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University | Uttar Pradesh | bbau.ac.in |
| 8 | Visva-Bharati University | West Bengal | visvabharati.ac.in |
| 9 | Central University of Haryana | Haryana | cuh.ac.in |
| 10 | Central University of Rajasthan | Rajasthan | curaj.ac.in |
| University Name | State |
|---|---|
| Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University Delhi | Delhi |
| Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University | New Delhi |
| Delhi Technological University | Delhi |
| Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya | Madhya Pradesh |
| Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University | Uttar Pradesh |
| Madan Mohan Malviya University of Technology | Uttar Pradesh |
Top central universities accepting CUET scores include University of Delhi, Banaras Hindu University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Aligarh Muslim University, Jamia Millia Islamia, and University of Hyderabad. Over 280 central, state, deemed, private, and government institutions participate across India.
Private CUET Colleges
| University Name | Institution Type | State |
|---|---|---|
| Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) | Deemed University | Maharashtra |
| BML Munjal University | Private University | Haryana |
| Lovely Professional University | Private University | Punjab |
| GD Goenka University | Private University | Haryana |
| Galgotias University | Private University | Uttar Pradesh |
| Dayalbagh Educational Institute | Deemed University | Uttar Pradesh |
Over 280 universities participate in CUET UG 2026, covering private, deemed, and central institutions across India. Private universities often offer practical, industry-oriented learning with comparatively higher fee structures.
Popular Courses Offered via CUET
| Institution | Branch | Closing CUET Percentile (UR) |
|---|---|---|
| Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) | Computer Science | 99.3 |
| Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | Electrical Engineering | 97.2 |
| Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) | Civil Engineering | 95.5 |
| Central University of Haryana | Mechanical Engineering | 91.8 |
Popular CUET UG programs include BMS, BBA, BA (Hons) Political Science, BSc (Hons), BCA, BA (Hons) Journalism & Mass Communication, and B.Voc, while BTech requires 10+2 with Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry/Biology/Technical subjects.
At the postgraduate level, CUET PG offers entry into Master’s degrees such as MBA, MBA (Business Analytics/Finance/HR), MCA, MA Journalism & Mass Communication, and MA International Relations.
CUET Fees
The NTA CUET application fee structure is determined by candidate category and the number of subjects selected during registration. For up to 3 subjects, General (UR) candidates pay ₹1000, OBC-NCL/EWS candidates pay ₹900, and SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender candidates pay ₹800. Candidates adding subjects beyond the base tier pay an extra fee per subject: ₹400 for General, ₹375 for OBC-NCL/EWS, and ₹350 for SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender. Candidates taking the test at examination centers outside India pay ₹4500 for up to 3 subjects and ₹1800 for each additional subject.
| Category | Fee (Up to 03 Subjects) | Fee (For each Additional Subject) |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | ₹1000 | ₹400 |
| OBC-NCL / EWS | ₹900 | ₹375 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender | ₹800 | ₹350 |
| Centres Outside India | ₹4500 | ₹1800 |
| Factor | CUET Universities | Direct Admission Universities |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Process | Based on CUET entrance exam score | Based on Class 12 marks, entrance tests or profile |
| Examples | University of Delhi, BHU, JNU | BML Munjal University & select private universities |
| Competition Level | Very high (lakhs of applicants) | Moderate |
| Fees | Generally lower (in Central/State univs) | Comparatively higher |
| Learning Focus | Academic, theory-driven | Practical, industry-oriented |
| Admission Timeline | Longer (multiple counselling rounds) | Faster and more flexible |
CUET Admission Process
- Exam Format: CUET consists of multiple-choice questions across three sections: Language, Domain-Specific Subjects, and General Awareness.
- Timing and Questions: Candidates get 45 minutes for each section consisting of 50 questions in the exam.
- Post-Exam Process: After results are declared, candidates must register on the admission portals of individual participating universities, fill preferences, compare cut-offs, and participate in seat allocation rounds.
Candidates must track individual university admission portals after exam results to complete registration and preference filling. Seat allocation is managed through university-specific counselling rounds based on scores and cut-offs.
How to Choose a CUET College
- Course Fit: Check specialisations, curriculum depth, and elective options.
- Career Outcomes: Evaluate placement stats, alumni networks, and internship tie-ups.
- Location: Consider proximity to industry hubs and metro versus non-metro locations.
- Learning Environment: Review faculty credentials, infrastructure, and research output.
- Cut-off Realism: Compare previous year cut-offs against your expected CUET score.
Shortlisting target colleges requires reviewing career outcomes alongside academic alignment. For example, Jamia Millia Islamia achieved a median BTech placement package of ₹9.5 LPA with highest package exceeding ₹25+ LPA in CSE in 2023.
How to Apply for CUET Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Check Course Eligibility: Verify programme-wise domain subject mapping and qualifying minimum percentage requirements on university portals.
- Register on NTA CUET Portal: Fill out personal, academic, address details, and select exam cities on cuet.nta.nic.in.
- Select Test Subjects and Universities: Choose up to required domain subjects and target universities during registration form filling.
- Pay Application Fee: Pay application fees online (₹1000 for General, ₹900 for OBC-NCL/EWS, ₹800 for SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender for 3 subjects).
- Appear for CUET Exam: Take the MCQ test across language, domain, and general test sections administered by NTA.
- Apply for Individual University Counselling: Register separately on target university admission portals (e.g., DU CSAS) after CUET scores are declared.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| exam registration | NTA CUET UG Official Portal | cuet.nta.nic.in |
| Compare colleges, fees and cutoffs | CUET colleges in India | findmycollege.com |
FAQs
Which central university in India is considered the best under CUET?
University of Delhi (DU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) are among the top-ranked central universities accepting CUET scores for UG and PG admissions.
What is the NTA CUET application fee for 2026?
The CUET application fee for up to 3 subjects is ₹1000 for General UR candidates, ₹900 for OBC-NCL/EWS, and ₹800 for SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender candidates.
What is the process after the CUET exam?
After results are declared, candidates must register on the admission portals of individual participating universities, fill preferences, compare cut-offs, and participate in seat allocation rounds.
How long does the CUET exam take per section?
Candidates get 45 minutes for each section consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions.
Which colleges in West Bengal offer CUET programs?
Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan is a premier central university in West Bengal accepting CUET scores, alongside deemed institutions like Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute.
