CUET 2026 Overview: Step-by-Step Guide for University Admissions
Planning to start your undergraduate journey at one of India’s most reputed universities in 2026? If that’s your goal, then the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) 2026 is the gateway to your dream university. The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is organised by the National Testing Agency (NTA). This national-level exam that allows students to secure admission to some of India’s most prestigious central, state, and private universities.
Common University Entrance Test (CUET) 2026 is designed to provide a unified platform for university admission. It promotes fairness and merit-based selection for students across the country. It allows all universities, so you can pick universities according to your choice, whether it is Delhi University (DU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), or other leading institutes.
In this comprehensive and detailed guide from Meritzone Education, we’ll walk you through everything about the CUET 2026 Application Form, Exam Date, Exam Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility Criteria, and all recent updates. So you can plan your preparation with strategy and clarity.
Table of Contents
What is CUET UG 2026?
Information About CUET UG 2026
Important Dates of CUET UG 2026
Exam Syllabus of CUET UG 2026
Exam Pattern of CUET UG 2026
Eligibility Criteria of CUET UG 2026
What is CUET UG 2026?
CUET is commonly referred to as the Common University Entrance Test. This is a national-level entrance exam conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency). They provide a single platform to students where students can apply to multiple universities across India.
Important Information about CUET UG 2026
| Category | Details |
| Exam Name | Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG 2026) |
| Conducted By | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Purpose | National Level Entrance Exam for UG Admission to Central State, Deemed, and Private Universities across India. |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Sections | Section I-Language, Section II-Domain Specific Subject, Section III-General Test. |
| Marking Scheme | +5 for each correct answer, -1 for each incorrect answer |
| Eligibility | Passed or appearing in class 12th from a recognised board |
| Minimum Marks | General, OBC, EWS-45% SC, ST, PwD-40% |
| Age Limit | No age restrictions |
| Official Website | Passed or appearing in class 12th from a recognized board |
Important Dates of CUET UG 2026
| Events | Tentative Dates |
| Notification Release Date | 1st week of March 2026 |
| Application Form Start Date | 1st week of March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | Last week of March 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | 1st week of April 2026 |
| City Intimation Slip Release | 1st week of May 2026 |
| Admit Card Release Date | 3-4 days before the exam 2026 |
| Exam Date | 2nd week of May 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | 4th week of May 2026 |
| Result Declaration | 4th week of July 2026 |
| Counselling Begins | July 2026 onwards |
Exam Syllabus of CUET 2026
The CUET UG 2026 exam consists of 3 main sections:
Section I: Language Test
Section II: Domain Subjects
Section III: General Test
Section I Language Test
In this section, you can choose one language from 13 languages for the test, and there’s also an option to choose an additional language for the test.
These are the languages:
| English | Hindi | Urdu | Tamil |
| Telugu | Kannada | Marathi | Bengali |
| Gujarati | Malayalam | Punjabi | Assamese |
| Odia |
Topic Covered:
Reading Comprehension (Factual, Narrative, Literary Passage)
Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, Word Meaning)
Grammar & Usage (Sentence Correction, Tenses, Active & Passive Voice)
Verbal Ability (Analogies, Idioms, Phrases)
Note:- Access our YouTube playlist for CUET UG Language, featuring all chapters and topics from the syllabus to guide your preparation step by step.
Section II Domain Specific Subjects
Students can choose up to six subjects from the available list, generally based on their 12th-grade academic background & university’s requirements.
These are the domain subjects:
| Accountancy/Bookkeeping | Agriculture | Anthropology | Biology |
| Business Studies | Chemistry | Computer Science | Economics/ Business Eco. |
| Environmental Studies | Fine Arts/ Visual Arts/ Commercial Arts | Geography/ Geology | History |
| Home Science | Knowledge Tradition | Mass Comm. | Mathematics |
| Performing Arts | Physical Education | Physics | Political Science |
| Psychology | Sanskrit | Sociology |
Section III General Test
The General Test in CUET UG 2026 is designed to assess a student’s overall aptitude, problem-solving skills, and general awareness. This section is especially important for candidates applying to BBA, BCA, Economics, Social Sciences, and interdisciplinary programs in various universities.
Topics Covered:
- General Knowledge and Current Affairs (national and international events).
- Numerical Ability / Quantitative Aptitude.
- Logical Reasoning and Analytical Skills.
- Data Interpretation and Basic Problem-Solving.
Exam Pattern of CUET 2026
| Section | Name of the Test | Description | No. of Questions | Questions to Attempt |
| Section I | Language Test | This section tests reading comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary skills. Candidates can choose one or two languages from the 13 offered (English, Hindi, Tamil, etc.). | 50 Per Language | 60 |
| Section II | Domain Specific Test | Tests subject knowledge based on the Class 12 NCERT syllabus. Candidates can choose up to 6 subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Accountancy, etc. | 50 Per Subject | 60 |
| Section III | General test | Measures general aptitude, logical reasoning, current affairs, and quantitative ability. Useful for admissions to interdisciplinary and professional courses (e.g., BBA, BCA). | 50 | 60 |
Additional Details
| Features | Details |
| Total Sections | 3 (Language, Domain, General Test) |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Medium of Exam | Multiple languages (as per candidate choice) |
| Marking Scheme | +5 for each correct answer, -1 for each incorrect answer |
| Total universities accepting CUET 2026 | 250+ Central, State, Deemed, and Private Universities |
| Official website | https://www.nta.ac.in/ |
Eligibility Criteria for CUET UG 2026
| Criteria | Details |
| Educational Qualification | Candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (10+2) or an equivalent examination from a recognised board. |
| Minimum Marks Required | – General / OBC / EWS: Minimum 45% in Class 12 – SC / ST / PwD: Minimum 40% |
| Age Limit | No age limit for appearing in CUET UG 2026. |
| Nationality | Must be an Indian citizen; NRI/OCI/PIO candidates can also apply as per university rules. |
| Number of Attempts | No limit — candidates can appear multiple times as long as they meet the academic criteria. |
Conclusion
The CUET 2026 (Common University Entrance Test) is a golden opportunity for students aiming to secure admission in India’s top universities through a single, unified platform. With a transparent and merit-based process, CUET simplifies university admissions by eliminating the need for multiple entrance exams.
Whether you’re preparing for Language, Domain Subjects, or the General Test, a clear understanding of the exam pattern, syllabus, and eligibility criteria is key to success. Start your preparation early, focus on your strengths, and make use of reliable study resources and mock tests.
AtMeritZone Education, we’re committed to helping you achieve your academic goals. Stay connected with us for the latest CUET 2026 updates, preparation tips, and expert guidance.
