CUET UG 2026 Eligibility, Syllabus & Preparation Strategy

The CUET exam 2026 eligibility criteria determine whether a candidate can apply for UG courses offered in all the CUET participating institutions. Candidates who wish to apply for CUET must meet the eligibility criteria prescribed by NTA. 

CUET UG eligibility criteria prescribe the age limit, academic qualifications, and nationality. National Testing Agency (NTA) will release the CUET application form 2026 at cuet.nta.nic.in. NTA will administer the CUET UG 2026 exam tentatively in May/June 2026 in CBT mode.

CUET Exam: Documents Required

During the application process, you have to upload certain documents. Here's the list of CUET UG 2026 documents required for admission.

Here's CUET UG 2026 eligibility criteria:

• Age Limit: There is no upper limit for students to register for CUET UG 2026.
• Nationality: Indian students are directly eligible to apply for CUET UG 2026.
• Foreign Nationals: International students have to follow specific criteria for exam registration and university application.
• Educational Qualifications: Students must have 10+2 in any stream or equivalent from a recognised board.
• Minimum Marks: The minimum qualifying marks for general category students are 50%. Category students, including SC, ST, and OBC, must have a minimum of 45% marks in 10+2.
• University Admission: To take admissions with CUET UG, students have to check the university-wise and relevant program requirements. If you fail to meet university criteria, you will not be able to proceed with the admission process.

CUET Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026: Nationality 

To be eligible for the CUET Exam, aspirants must abide by the following citizenship rules.

• The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
• A constituent subject of Nepal, Bhutan
• Pakistanis, Burmese, Sri Lankans, Kenyans, Ugandans, Tanzanians, Zambians, Malawians, Zaireans, Ethiopians, and people from Vietnam who permanently moved to India.

CUET Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Reservations

For CUET 2026, while reservation percentages for categories like SC, ST, OBC, and EWS are set by the government, individual university policies and the eligibility criteria for reserved categories involve minimum score relaxation (e.g., 45% for SC/ST in Class 12, compared to 50% for General) and specific requirements for Persons with Disabilities (PwD).

Reservation Policy Breakdown for Central Universities

• General: 10% Reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). 
• Other Backward Classes (OBC): 27% Reservation for OBCs (Non-creamy layer). 
• Scheduled Castes (SC): 15% Reservation for SC candidates. 
• Scheduled Tribes (ST): 7.5% Reservation for ST candidates. 
• Persons with Disabilities (PwD): 5% of seats are reserved for PwD candidates, often within each category. 

The CUET UG exam is conducted in 3 sections focusing on language, domain subjects, and a general aptitude test. Language and domain subjects can vary as per registration and the programs to which you are applying. Below are the details of the CUET UG 2026 syllabus:

To prepare for CUET UG 2026, students need to follow a strict schedule and practical tips. Here are some useful preparation tips for students: 

• Research & Understand: Make sure you research about syllabus, exam pattern, exam details, and more. Students have to understand these details to prepare for exams strategically.
• Time Management: CUET UG is a time-based exam, so preparing and practising sections for time management is critical. However, be realistic about time management for each section and subject.
• Priority-Based Preparation: Divide your exam syllabus based on priority that help you enhance your strengths and focus on weaknesses. Allocate practice and preparation for sections where you need improvement.
• Practice: The exam needs practice to secure high scores. So, make sure you allocate enough time to practice for sections in detail.