Understanding the CUET Exam: The Definitive 2026 Guide for Aspirants
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) UG 2026 is the mandated single-window entrance exam for admission to all Central Universities in India. Organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA), it streamlines the admission process for thousands of undergraduate courses across Science, Humanities, and Commerce streams, ensuring a fair evaluation based on a standardized NCERT-based curriculum.
1. Core Objectives of the CUET UG 2026 Exam
CUET aims to create a level playing field by removing board-wise marking discrepancies. Its primary goal is to provide a unified platform where merit is calculated through a Computer-Based Test (CBT), reducing the stress of high-cutoff board marks and focusing on the conceptual understanding of Class 12 subjects.
2. All Participating Central Universities
For 2026, admission to all 45+ Central Universities is strictly based on CUET scores. Key institutions include:
- North: University of Delhi (DU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Jamia Millia Islamia, and JNU.
- South: University of Hyderabad and Central Universities of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh.
- East: Visva-Bharati University and Central Universities of Odisha and South Bihar.
- West: Central University of Gujarat and Central University of Rajasthan.
3. Comprehensive List of Courses Offered
Virtually every undergraduate discipline is accessible via the CUET 2026 scorecard:
- Humanities: B.A. (Hons) in History, Political Science, Economics, and Psychology.
- Science: B.Sc. (Hons) in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agriculture, and Anthropology.
- Commerce: B.Com (Hons), B.B.A., and Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS).
- Integrated Tracks: 5-year B.A. LL.B (Hons) and 5-year Integrated M.Sc. programs.
4. Verified 2026 Exam Format and Questions
According to the latest NTA notification, the exam is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) where all 50 questions are compulsory for all sections:
- Language (Section I): 50 compulsory questions focusing on Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary. Duration: 60 minutes.
- Domain (Section II): 50 compulsory questions based strictly on the NCERT Class 12 syllabus. Duration: 60 minutes per domain.
- General Test (Section III): 50 compulsory questions covering GK, Current Affairs, and Reasoning. Duration: 60 minutes.
- Marking Scheme: +5 for every correct answer; -1 for every incorrect answer.
5. The Final 2026 Schedule and Process Timeline
Aspirants must strictly adhere to the official NTA 2026 calendar to ensure their eligibility:
- Online Form Submission: January 3 to February 4, 2026.
- Last Date for Fee Payment: February 7, 2026 (11:50 PM).
- Correction Window (Live Now): February 9 to February 11, 2026.
- City Intimation Slip: Expected in the first week of April 2026.
- Examination Dates: May 11 to May 31, 2026.
- Result Declaration: Expected in the last week of June 2026.
- Counseling: Commences July 2026 via university portals like DU CSAS and BHU Samarth.
6. Expert Preparation and Action Strategy
Because all 50 questions are compulsory, there is no room for selective study in 2026. Students must master every NCERT chapter and focus on high-speed mental ability for the General Test. Pinpointed mentorship is essential for "Preference Entry" during counseling, as university seat allotment depends heavily on the strategic order of your college list.
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