University & General

CUET UG (Common University Entrance Test)

Common University Entrance Test (Undergraduate) — CUET UG is India's second largest competitive examination with over 13 lakh applicants. Conducted by NTA, it completely eliminated the 100% board cutoff system, providing a single standardized platform for admissions to University of Delhi (DU), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Jamia Millia Islamia, and over 250 universities.

Conducting Body
NTA
Level & Scope
Undergraduate • National
Mode & Duration
Hybrid Mode (45 to 60 Minutes per Subject Test)
Exam Timeline
May / June
National Testing Agency (NTA)Dates: Announced

Last Verified: 2026-03-01 from official conducting body notifications.

CUET UG (Common University Entrance Test) (Common University Entrance Test (Undergraduate)) Examination Guide
University & GeneralUndergraduate

Official Overview & Examination Scope

Purpose, Scope & Academic Impact

CUET UG is India's second largest competitive examination with over 13 lakh applicants. Conducted by NTA, it completely eliminated the 100% board cutoff system, providing a single standardized platform for admissions to University of Delhi (DU), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Jamia Millia Islamia, and over 250 universities.

Eligibility Criteria & Academic Qualifications

Class 12 pass or appearing from any recognized education board in India (No age limit). University-specific subject criteria apply.

Exam Pattern & Test Structure

Total: Variable based on subject combination (~800 Marks for 4 subjects)
Section / PaperQuestionsMarksDuration
Section IA & IB: Languages50 Questions (Attempt any 40)200 Marks (+5, -1)45 Minutes
Section II: Domain Specific Subjects (29 Subjects)50 Questions (Attempt any 40)200 Marks (+5, -1)45 to 60 Minutes
Section III: General Test60 Questions (Attempt any 50)250 Marks (+5, -1)60 Minutes
Marking Scheme & Negative Marking:

+5 for Correct Response, -1 for Incorrect Response, 0 for Unattempted. Total marks depend on the subject combination chosen.

Negative Marking Rule: -1 mark penalty per incorrect answer

Recommended Preparation Roadmap & Strategy

Master Class 12 NCERT textbooks line-by-line; questions are strictly based on the Class 12 syllabus.
Practice rapid reading comprehension and grammar for Section 1A English.
Take subject-wise timed mock tests to answer 40 questions within 45 minutes.

Cutoff Trends & Score Benchmark

SRCC B.Com (Hons) and St. Stephen's Economics (Hons) typically require 780-795+ out of 800 (99.8+ percentile). Hindu College Political Science requires ~790+ out of 800.

Participating Institutes / Career Pathways

University of Delhi (SRCC, St. Stephen's, Hindu College, Miranda House, LSR)
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU New Delhi)
Banaras Hindu University (BHU Varanasi)
Jamia Millia Islamia
University of Allahabad

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Class 11 syllabus included in CUET UG?

No, NTA officially tests only the Class 12 syllabus for all Domain Specific subjects in CUET UG.

How many subject tests can a candidate choose in CUET UG?

Candidates can select a maximum of up to 6 subject papers (including Languages, Domain Subjects, and the General Test).

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