Understanding the CUET UG 2026 eligibility criteria is crucial for candidates aspiring to secure admission to undergraduate programs in participating universities. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has set specific eligibility guidelines covering age, educational qualifications, and nationality to ensure a fair selection process.
Ensure you review these criteria thoroughly before filling out the CUET UG 2026 application on the official website cuet.nta.nic.in. The exam is expected to be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode in May–June 2026.
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CUET UG 2026: Key Eligibility Updates
- No Subject Restrictions – Students can now choose any subject, regardless of their Class 12 stream.
- Subject Selection Limit – Candidates can opt for up to five subjects in the CUET exam.
- CBT-Only Format – The CUET UG 2026 will be conducted exclusively in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
- Fewer Subject Options – The number of available subjects has been reduced from 63 to 37. Subjects like Entrepreneurship, Teaching Aptitude, Fashion Studies, Tourism, Legal Studies, and Engineering Graphics have been removed.
By staying updated on these important changes, candidates can plan their preparation effectively and make informed decisions while applying for the exam.
Can I give Class 12 from CBSE and only Maths from NIOS to become eligible for Eco Hons or Stats Hons?
No, you can’t. Universities accept only one valid Class 12 marksheet from a single board (CBSE/ICSE/NIOS/state boards). If you mix boards, your application will be rejected. If you want Maths through NIOS, you’ll need to appear for all five subjects through NIOS.
I’m a commerce student without Maths. Can I still do BA Economics (Hons) at DU?
Unfortunately, no. DU specifically requires Maths or Applied Maths in Class 12 for BA Economics (Hons) and BSc Statistics (Hons). Without Maths in your board marksheet, you won’t be eligible, no matter your CUET score.
My subjects are English, Maths, Chemistry, and Physical Education. Will this make me eligible for BA Eco Hons?
Yes, if you take CUET in English (Language) + Maths/Applied Maths + Chemistry (List B1) + one more subject, you’ll meet the eligibility for Eco Hons at DU. PE won’t help here since it falls under List B2. Always check the program-specific eligibility bulletin for clarity.
My father says choosing subjects like PE will hurt my admission chances. Is that true?
Not really. Having PE doesn’t “ruin” your eligibility—but for some programs like Eco Hons, PE is in List B2, so it won’t fulfill the requirement of “one subject from List B1.” You can still take PE for CUET, but make sure you also choose the right List B1 subjects.
I want to switch from Science/Commerce to Humanities through CUET. Will universities accept me?
Yes! CUET allows stream changes. For example, a PCM student can go for BA History or Political Science, and a Commerce student can apply for BA English. Just ensure you take the CUET subject combination required by the course.
If I don’t meet the subject eligibility but still apply through CUET, will DU reject me?
Yes. Even if you ace CUET, if you don’t have the mandatory subjects in your Class 12 marksheet, DU (and other universities) will reject your application. Always cross-check with the official admission bulletin of the university.
CUET UG 2026 Eligibility Summary Table
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) UG is a standardized examination in India conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for undergraduate admissions to various Central, State, Deemed, and Private Universities. Get a quick overview of the CUET 2026 eligibility criteria below.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode & Timing | CBT mode, tentatively May–June 2026. |
| Educational Qualification | Completed or appearing in Class 12 (any stream) |
| Minimum Percentage | General: ~50%; SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD: ~45%. |
| Age Limit | No age limit by NTA |
| Nationality | Indians; citizens of Nepal, Bhutan; Tibetan refugees (pre-1962); certain foreign refugees settled in India. |
| Subject Choice | Up to 5 subjects; stream independence, as per university-specific course mapping. |
| Reservation Norms | Follow GOI and university policies; valid certificates (≥1 Jan 2026) required, or applicable declarations. |
CUET UG 2026 Age Limit
For the CUET UG 2026 application, there is no age limit for applicants, allowing individuals of any age to participate in the exam.
- However, candidates must meet the specific age requirements set by the universities they wish to apply to through CUET.
CUET Educational Qualification 2026
To be eligible for admission to bachelor's degree programs at central, state, private, or deemed universities. As per CUET 2026 eligibility criteria students must have either completed Class 12 or be currently enrolled in Class 12 from a recognized board, regardless of their stream.
For candidates in the General category, a minimum of 50% in Class 12 is required, while SC/ST candidates must achieve at least 45% to qualify for CUET 2026. For BTech programs, General category candidates need a minimum aggregate of 45%, whereas candidates from reserved categories must secure at least 40%.
Also See: B.Tech Admission Through CUET UG 2026: Colleges, CutOffs, Eligibility & Process
Other than this, the candidates must have CUET 2026 Eligibility Criteria as prescribed in the table below:
| Course | CUET 2026 Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) Biological Science | Physics + Chemistry + Biology/Biological Studies/ Biotechnology/ Biochemistry. Candidates must have obtained a minimum of 30% score in any one language of List A in CUET. |
| BSc (Hons) Botany | |
| BSc (Hons) Zoology | |
| BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science | |
| BSc (Hons) Chemistry | Physics + Chemistry + Mathematics. Candidates must have obtained a minimum of 30% score in any one language of List A in CUET. |
| BSc (Hons) Physics | |
| BSc (Hons) Polymer Science | |
| BSc (Hons) Mathematics | Any one language from List A + Mathematics + Any two subjects out of which one should be from List B1 |
| B.Com (Hons.) | Combination I: Any one Language from List A + Mathematics/Applied Mathematics + Any two subjects out of which at least one should be from List B1 OR Combination II: Any one Language from List A + Accountancy/Book Keeping + Any two subjects out of which at least one should be from List B1 |
| B.A. (Hons.) | Candidates must appear in CUET in the following subject combination: Any one Language from List A + Any two subjects from List B1 + Any one subject from either List B1 or List B2 |
I am in Class 12 right now and my board exams are in 2026. Can I still apply for CUET UG 2026?
Yes, absolutely! Even if you are appearing in Class 12 in 2026, you are eligible to apply. You just need to pass Class 12 before the university admissions start. Many students take CUET while still waiting for their board results, so you’re not alone.
I’m from the Science stream, but I want to take admission in Humanities. Is that allowed?
Yes! CUET gives you freedom to switch streams. Even if you studied Science in Class 12, you can apply for BA or similar courses in CUET 2026. Just make sure you select the right subject combination as required by the university.
I’m really confused about which subjects to choose for CUET. What if I select the wrong ones?
This is a common fear. Here’s the trick:
First, decide which universities/courses you want.
Then, check their CUET subject requirements.
Pick your subjects based on that, not just on what you studied in school.
If you’re still unsure, Language + General Test + 2 domain subjects is a safe combination for many courses.
What if I fail Class 12 but clear CUET? Will I still get admission?
Sadly, no. You must pass Class 12 to be eligible for admission. Even if you score well in CUET, universities will not admit you without a passing certificate.
I’m scared about reservation certificates. What if I don’t get mine on time?
Don’t worry. If you belong to a reserved category but your official certificate isn’t ready by March 2026, you can upload a declaration format provided by NTA and later submit the certificate issued on or after Jan 1, 2026. Just make sure you don’t miss deadlines.
Is there any age limit? What if I take a gap year?
Relax, there’s no age limit for CUET UG 2026. Even if you drop a year after Class 12, you can still apply. The only condition is—you must fulfill the eligibility criteria of the university you’re applying to.
CUET Domicile 2026
To qualify for the CUET 2026 Eligibility Criteria, candidates must adhere to the following citizenship criteria:
- The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
- The candidate can also be a citizen of Nepal or Bhutan.
- A Tibetan refugee who arrived in India before January 1, 1962, and intends to make India their permanent residence is eligible.
- Additionally, individuals from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam who have permanently settled in India are also eligible.
| CUET UG 2026 Quick Links | |
| Notification | Click Here |
| Application/Registration | Click Here |
| Eligibility | Click Here |
| Exam Pattern and Syllabus | Click Here |
| Previous Year Questions - PDFs Download | Click Here |
CUET 2026 Reservation Policy
Candidates seeking admission to universities offering undergraduate programs should verify the CUET reservation criteria. According to these CUET 2026 eligibility criteria, candidates from reserved categories receive a 5% exemption for each program. Universities adhere to the reservation policy established by the Government of India. It is important for candidates to follow the necessary procedures to claim their reservations; failure to do so will result in disqualification from the admission process at any university.
Top Universities Participating in CUET UG 2026
For CUET UG 2026, approximately 287 universities will accept CUET scores, including 46 central universities, 41 state universities, 30 deemed universities, and 160 private universities. You can download the CUET UG 2026 result from the NTA official website or through this link: CUET UG 2026 University List [State-wise]
| Central University of Andhra Pradesh | Andhra Pradesh |
| National Sanskrit University (Previously Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth) | |
| Rajiv Gandhi University | |
| Assam University | Arunachal Pradesh |
| Tezpur University | Assam |
| Central University of South Bihar | |
| Mahatma Gandhi Central University | Bihar |
| Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya | |
| Central Sanskrit University | Chhattisgarh |
| Jamia Millia Islamia | Delhi |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University | |
| Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University | |
| University of Delhi | |
| Central University of Gujarat | |
| Central University of Haryana | Gujarat |
| Central University of Himachal Pradesh | Haryana |
| Central University of Jammu | Himachal Pradesh |
| Central University of Kashmir | Jammu & Kashmir |
| Central University of Jharkhand | |
| Central University of Karnataka | Jharkhand |
| Central University of Kerala | Karnataka |
| Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya | Kerala |
| Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak | Madhya Pradesh |
| Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya | |
| Manipur University | Maharashtra |
| North-Eastern Hill University | Manipur |
| Mizoram University | Meghalaya |
| Nagaland University | Mizoram |
| Central University of Odisha | Nagaland |
| Pondicherry University | Odisha |
| Central University of Punjab | Puducherry |
| Central University of Rajasthan | Punjab |
| Sikkim University | Rajasthan |
| Central University of Tamil Nadu | Sikkim |
| Maulana Azad National Urdu University | Tamil Nadu |
| Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University | Telangana |
| The English and Foreign Languages University | |
| University of Hyderabad | |
| Tripura University | |
| Aligarh Muslim University | Tripura |
| Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University | Uttar Pradesh |
| Banaras Hindu University | |
| University of Allahabad | |
| Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University | |
| Visva-Bharati University | Uttarakhand |
| West Bengal |
Also See: How to Score 1250 Marks in CUET UG 2026: A High-Scorer’s Blueprint
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CUET (UG) vs NEET (UG): Which Exam is Right for You?
In the admission process of universities and colleges accepting CUET scores, which of the following is true about the Sports and ECA quotas?
a) Only CUET scores are considered for selection.
b) A student must appear for performance trials in addition to CUET.
c) Admission is granted solely based on Class 12 marks.
d) There is no separate quota for Sports or ECA admissions.