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CUET (Entrance Exam) – Complete Guide

👤 meharjot singh 📅 May 23, 2026 🏷 Career Guidance, Education, Student Guide

CUET (Entrance Exam) – Complete Guide

Introduction to CUET

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is a national-level entrance examination in India conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It was introduced to provide a single, standardized platform replacing 12th boards marks to take admission in undergraduate (UG) programs and also for students seeking admission to postgraduate (PG) programs in various universities across the country.

After the introduction of CUET, students are not needed to get familiar with the exam pattern and admission criteria of different universities. Before CUET introduction students had to apply separately to different universities, each with its own admission criteria—often based on Class 12 board marks. This created inconsistencies because evaluation methods vary from one education board to another. CUET was introduced to eliminate these disparities and ensure a fair, transparent, and merit-based admission process.

Through CUET, candidates can apply to over 300+ universities from institutions University of Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Banaras Hindu University to the other top universities across India for admission to various courses. The official list of participating universities is found on the CUET NTA website. 

What is the CUET Exam?

Common University Entrance Exam (CUET) is the entrance exam for the top universities across India. It becomes very necessary for the candidates to know about this examination thoroughly.

CUET exam is taken at two levels:

CUET UG: For undergraduate admissions, the common entrance exam conducted by NTA. Through this single entrance exam, aspirants can apply to 47 central universities and more than 300 universities and colleges in the country on the basis of their results in the CUET undergraduate.

CUET PG: For postgraduate admissions, conducted by NTA at national level for admission in postgraduate (PG) courses (MA, MSc, M.Com, MBA, etc.) in central, state, deemed, and private universities across India.

 Is the Exam Online or Offline?

According to the norms of previous years, CUET will be completely conducted in online mode. The Computer Based Test (CBT) is implemented to ensure a faster, efficient, and transparent evaluation process, eliminating all the inconvenience made in offline exam such as paper printing, logistics, human error while filling out the answer sheet and more. This transition from offline mode to Computer Based Test ensures minimized errors in evaluation, and enabled quicker result processing. My honest advice for the aspirants to practice mock tests in the CBT format to become comfortable with the interface and perform confidently on the exam day.

CUET UG highlights

Common University Entrance Exam (CUET) is a national level online mode exam conducted by NTA for the admission in top universities after 12th class. 

Before CUET UG, students were admitted mainly based on Class 12 board marks, which often led to inconsistencies due to different evaluation standards across education boards. CUET UG solves this issue by providing a single standardized platform where all candidates are assessed under the same criteria.


Full Form

Common University Entrance Exam Under-graduate 

Short Form

CUET UG

Conducting Body 

National Testing Agency (NTA)

Frequency of Conduct 

Once in a year

Exam Level

National Level Exam

Application Fee

Online 1000+

Mode of Application

Online

Mode of Exam 

Online

Mode of Counselling 

Online

Participating Collages

313

Duration 

2 hours

Type of Questions

Objective (MCQ)

Marking Scheme 

Correct Answer: +5.Incorrect Answer: -1.Unanswered/Marked for Review: 0.

Eligibility 

After 12th

CUET UG is designed to simplify the admission process, ensure fairness, and give equal opportunities to students from all educational backgrounds


CUET PG Highlights

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) PG is a national-level entrance examination conducted for admission to postgraduate programs in various central, state, deemed, and private universities across India. It is organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to streamline and standardize the admission process for master’s degree courses.

CUET PG was introduced to eliminate the need for multiple university-specific entrance exams, allowing candidates to apply to multiple institutions through a single exam. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all aspirants, regardless of their undergraduate university or background.

Full FormCommon University Entrance Test Post-graduate
Short FormCUET PG
Conducting BodyNational Testing Agency 
Frequency of Conduct once a year
Exam level Online
Mode of application Online
Application Fee1400 (up to 2 papers)
Mode of Exam 
Computer Based Test (CBT)
Mode of Counselling
Online
Counselling Rounds
Typically three rounds, depending on seat availability. 
Participating Collages
Over 300, including 40+ central universities and many states, deemed, and private institutions.
Eligibility 
Graduation Degree from Renewed collage or university with atleast 50%
Result and Cut-off
 Released separately by each university for admission
Duration 
2 hours.
Exam structure
75 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), covering domain knowledge.

CUET PG serves as a centralized gateway for postgraduate admissions, making the process more efficient, accessible, and student-friendly.

CUET Application Process

CUET UG 

There is no age limit for registration in CUET UG. Students can fill application form using mobile phone but it is advised to use a computer.

After this, students can fill the CUET entire form which includes filling of all the required details, uploading of all mentioned documents, CUET application fee and take a print it for future reference.

Steps to apply for CUET …

Step1: Registration at official NTA CUET UG website

Step2: Fill Application for CUET UG exam.

Step3: Upload documents 

Step4: Pay application fee for CUET UG

Step5: Take a printout of the form

Required Documents

  1. Passport-size photograph
  2. Signature
  3. Academic certificate
  4. Category certificate (if applicable)

 Fee structure


Category 

Fee structure 
General 
₹1000 (up to 3 subjects) + ₹400 per additional subject

OBC 

₹900 (up to 3 subjects) + ₹375 per additional sub

SC / ST / PWD / third gender

₹800 (up to 3 subjects) + ₹350 per additional subject

Centre outside India 

₹4500 (up to 3 subjects) + ₹1800 per additional subject

CUET PG

 Generally there is no specific age limit for registration in CUET PG. However, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria set by the participating universities. It is recommended to use a computer or laptop but students can fill application form using mobile phone.

After this, students can complete the entire CUET PG application form, which includes filling in all the required details, uploading the necessary documents, paying the application fee, and taking a printout for future reference.

Steps to apply for CUET PG…

Step 1: Registration on the official NTA CUET PG website
Step 2: Fill out the CUET PG application form
Step 3: Upload required documents
Step 4: Pay the CUET PG application fee
Step 5: Take a printout of the confirmation page

Required Documents

  1. Passport-size photograph 
  2. Signature 
  3. Academic certificates
  4. Graduation certificates 
  5. Category certificate (if applicable)

Fee Structure 


Category

Fee structure
General


₹1400 (up to 2 papers) + ₹700 per additional paper
OBC₹1100 (up to 2 papers) + ₹600 per additional paper
SC / ST / PWD / third gender



₹1000 (up to 2 papers) + ₹600 per additional paper

Centre outside India 



₹7000 (up to 2 papers) + ₹3500 per additional paper

Top Colleges Accepting CUET Scores

CUET UG

Top Central Universities

  • University of Delhi 
  • Jawaharlal Nehru University 
  • Banaras Hindu University 
  • Aligarh Muslim University 
  • University of Hyderabad

Top Colleges under Delhi University (via CUET UG)

  • St. Stephen’s College 
  • Shri Ram College of Commerce 
  • Lady Shri Ram College for Women 
  • Hindu College 
  • Miranda House 

CUET PG

CUET PG opens doors to top postgraduate universities across India.

Top Universities for CUET PG

  • Jawaharlal Nehru University 
  • University of Delhi 
  • Banaras Hindu University 
  • Jamia Millia Islamia 
  • University of Hyderabad 
  • Pondicherry University 
  • Tezpur University

These universities offer PG courses like MA, MSc, M.Com, MCA, MBA, etc., through CUET PG. 


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Q2. Who conducts CUET?
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts CUET.

Q3. Is CUET mandatory?
Yes, for many central universities.

Q4. How many attempts are allowed?
There is no fixed limit.

Q5. Is CUET difficult?
The difficulty level is moderate and depends on preparation.

Q6. Can I apply to multiple universities?
Yes, through a single CUET exam.


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