CUET UG (Common University Entrance Test – Undergraduate) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), and its score is used for admission to undergraduate courses at 200+ universities across India. If you are in Class 12 and hoping to get into Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University, Allahabad University, or any major central or state university, understanding CUET UG is essential.
Why CUET UG Matters
Before CUET, every university ran its own admission process — some through entrance tests, others purely on Class 12 marks. CUET UG brought this under one common exam. Institutions that accept CUET UG scores include:
- 44+ central universities (such as DU, BHU, Allahabad University)
- Numerous state universities
- Deemed and private universities
- Several government institutions
In short, one exam can open the door to applications at many universities at once — which is why CUET is often called “one exam, many opportunities.”
Exam Pattern
Based on the most recently held cycle (2026), CUET UG was conducted entirely in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode — meaning the exam is taken on a computer, not on OMR sheets. The paper is divided into three sections:
- Section I – Languages: candidates choose from 13 languages
- Section II – Domain Subjects: school subjects such as Physics, History, Political Science, Geography, Sociology and more — 23 domain subjects in total
- Section III – General Test: general knowledge, reasoning and current affairs
For the 2026 cycle, NTA had streamlined the subject list from 63 to 37 (13 languages + 23 domain subjects + the general test). Each subject paper has 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to be completed in 60 minutes. Marking follows +5 for a correct answer and -1 for a wrong one, making each paper worth a maximum of 250 marks.
How Many Subjects Can You Choose?
In the 2026 cycle, students could choose a maximum of 5 subjects (down from 6 in earlier cycles). Importantly, you are not restricted to the subjects you studied in Class 12 — you can pick any CUET subject based on your interest and the requirements of your target course or university. Before finalising your subject list, check the admission page or previous-year brochure of your target university to confirm exactly which subject scores it requires.
When Is the Next CUET UG Exam?
As of August 2026, NTA has not yet officially announced dates for the next CUET UG cycle (which typically falls around May of the following year). Based on the usual pattern, NTA releases the information bulletin in the first week of January, registration runs through early February, the exam is held in May, and results follow by late June. For reference, the most recent cycle — CUET UG 2026 — was conducted from 11 to 31 May 2026 (with some slots on 6–7 June) across India and 14 international cities, with results declared on 23 June 2026. For the next cycle’s actual dates, always check the official website, cuet.nta.nic.in, rather than relying on unofficial estimates.
How to Start Preparing
The earlier you start, the more comfortable you will feel on exam day. Here’s a simple way to begin:
- Build your foundation from NCERT textbooks — most of the CUET domain syllabus is based directly on the Class 12 NCERT curriculum
- Decide your target subjects early so your preparation stays focused
- Work on speed and time management — you need to comfortably attempt 50 questions in 60 minutes
- Practise regularly with mock tests and practice questions to develop a strategy for handling negative marking
- Spend a little time each week on current affairs and general knowledge for the General Test section
Our site already has CUET-tagged practice questions for Political Science, History, Geography and Sociology — a good next step to test where you stand.
CUET UG is not just another exam — it is a wide gateway to some of India’s best universities. With the right information and steady practice, you can approach it with confidence. All the best!
Keep exploring: try our CUET-tagged practice questions for Political Science, History, Geography and Sociology here.