CUET (PG)

The Common University Entrance Test (Postgraduate) 2026, commonly referred to as CUET (PG) 2026, is a national-level entrance examination conducted for admission to Postgraduate programmes offered by Central Universities and other participating universities and institutions for the Academic Session 2026–27.

🎯 Purpose of the Examination

🏛 Conducting Body

📅 Background

⭐ Key features of CUET (PG) 2026 include

⚠ Important Note

Fee Structure (Up to Two Test Papers)

Fee for Additional Test Papers

📚 Educational Qualification

Candidates must satisfy one of the following conditions:
• Candidates who have completed a Bachelor's degree or equivalent examination are eligible to apply.
• Candidates who are currently pursuing their Bachelor's degree and will appear in the final year examination in 2026 are also eligible to appear in CUET (PG) 2026.

🎂 Age Limit

There is no age limit for appearing in CUET (PG) 2026. However, candidates must verify any age-related criteria prescribed by the universities to which they intend to apply.

⚠️ Important Admission Note

• Admission policies including reservation, qualification requirements, subject combinations, and relaxation rules will be determined by the respective universities.
• Universities will conduct their own counselling processes based on CUET (PG) scores. Candidates must therefore carefully review the eligibility requirements of the universities they are applying to before submitting their application.

🖥️ Mode of Examination

CUET (PG) 2026 will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. All candidates will appear for the examination using computer terminals at designated test centres across the country. The examination will be conducted in different shifts depending on the number of subjects and candidates appearing for the test.

🌐 Medium of Question Papers

The medium of the question papers will vary depending on the subject category.
• Humanities, Sciences, and Common Subjects will be available in bilingual format (English and Hindi).
• M.Tech / Higher Science subjects will be available only in English.
• In case of any discrepancy between translations, the English version will be considered final, except for language papers.

🗣️ Medium of Language Papers

• Language papers will be available in the respective language of the subject.
• The Linguistics paper will be available only in English.
• Acharya papers will be conducted in Sanskrit, except for specific subjects.
• Hindu Studies will be available in English and Hindi.
• Indian Knowledge System and Baudha Darshan papers will be available in English, Hindi, and Sanskrit.

📄 Number of Test Papers

Candidates may choose up to four question paper codes depending on the postgraduate programmes for which they are applying. Each question paper code corresponds to specific programmes or disciplines offered by participating universities.

⏱️ Duration & Number of Questions

• Duration: 90 minutes per test paper.
• Each question paper will contain 75 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).

📊 Marking Scheme

The marking scheme is standardized across all test papers.
• Each question carries 4 marks.
• +4 marks for each correct answer.
• –1 mark for each incorrect answer.
• No marks for unanswered or unattempted questions.

⚖️ Special Cases in Evaluation

In certain situations where discrepancies arise in question papers:
• If more than one option is found correct, candidates selecting any correct option will receive full marks (+4).
• If none of the options are correct or the question is dropped, all candidates who appeared will be awarded full marks (+4) irrespective of whether they attempted the question.

OBC-NCL

Other Backward Classes – Non Creamy Layer

EWS

Economically Weaker Sections

SC

Scheduled Castes

ST

Scheduled Tribes

📖 Definition of Benchmark Disability

A person with benchmark disability is defined as an individual with not less than 40% of a specified disability, certified by a competent medical authority.

🛠️ Facilities Provided

Candidates with benchmark disabilities may be provided with the following facilities:
• Use of a scribe / reader / lab assistant
• Compensatory time during the examination
• Accessibility arrangements at examination centres

Candidates who wish to use their own scribe must ensure that the qualification of the scribe is one level below the qualification of the candidate appearing in the examination.

⏱️ Compensatory Time

Candidates eligible for the use of a scribe will receive additional time of 20 minutes per hour of examination.

📄 Disability Documentation

Candidates claiming the PwD / PwBD category must upload a valid disability certificate or Unique Disability Identification (UDID) card issued by a recognized medical authority during the application process. The final verification of disability status will take place during the admission process conducted by the universities.

📌 City Allotment

While every effort will be made to allot the examination centre in the preferred city selected by the candidate, NTA reserves the right to allot a centre in a different city due to administrative or logistical reasons.

⚠️ Centre Merging

In cases where very few candidates have registered from a particular city, NTA may merge that city with another examination centre. The decision of NTA regarding the allotment of examination cities and centres will be final and binding.

📋 Admit Card Contains

• Examination centre
• Date of examination
• Shift and timing
• Candidate details and roll number

🚫 Important Note

Candidates must appear at the examination centre only on the date and shift mentioned in the e-Admit Card. No candidate will be allowed to appear for the examination without a valid admit card and authorized photo identification.

📝 Answer Key Challenge

• Candidates can challenge answer keys by paying a non-refundable fee of ₹200 per question.
• Challenges must be submitted within the stipulated period through the official portal.

Subject experts will review all challenges and finalize the final answer keys. The result will be prepared based on these final answer keys.

📊 NTA Score

• Valid only for academic year 2026–27.
• Computed using raw marks from final answer keys.
• Normalization procedure applied for examinations conducted in multiple shifts to ensure fairness.
• Scorecards can be downloaded from the official CUET website.

🎓 Admission Process

Admission to postgraduate programmes will be conducted by the participating universities.

• CUET (PG) scores will be shared with participating universities.
• Universities will prepare their own merit lists based on CUET scores and eligibility criteria.
• Counselling and seat allocation will be conducted by the universities individually.

⚠️ Important Note

Mere appearance in CUET (PG) 2026 does not guarantee admission to any university or programme.

Examination-related activities announced on the official CUET website include:
• City intimation slip
• Release of e-Admit Card
• Display of recorded responses
• Declaration of results

🌐 Official Portal

Candidates are advised to regularly visit the official CUET portal for all updates and announcements.

https://exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg/