CUET UG 2026: Exam Schedule, City Slip, Admit Card, Syllabus & Expected Cut-Off – Complete Guide
- Ankit Adhikari
- Apr 26
- 4 min read
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for 2026 is scheduled to be held from May 11 to May 31, 2026. This guide provides the latest available information on exam dates, the release of city slips and admit cards, the updated syllabus, and expected cut-offs for top universities.
Exam Schedule & Important Dates
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has finalized the crucial timeline for CUET UG 2026. Note that the application process is now closed.
Event | Date / Status |
Online Application Period | January 3 - January 30, 2026 (Closed) |
Application Correction Window | February 2 - 4, 2026 (Closed) |
Re-opened Application Window | February 23 - 26, 2026 (Closed) |
CUET Exam Dates | May 11 - May 31, 2026 |
City Intimation Slip Release | To be announced (Expected late April/early May) |
Admit Card Release | To be announced (Expected a few days before the exam) |
Result Declaration | To be announced |
City Intimation Slip & Admit Card
The NTA will release two important documents before the exam. Keep checking the official website cuet.nta.nic.in.
1. City Intimation Slip
This is the first document released, usually a week or more before the admit card. It informs you of the city where your allocated exam centre will be located.
Purpose: Helps you make travel and stay arrangements in advance.
How to Download: Visit cuet.nta.nic.in , log in with your application number and date of birth, and click on the 'Advance City Intimation Slip' tab .
2. Admit Card
The admit card is a critical document; you cannot enter the exam hall without it.
Release Date: Expected to be released a few days before the exam starts (late April/early May).
Details to Verify: Once released, immediately check for your name, photo, exam date, time, and full centre address.
How to Download:
Go to the official CUET website.
Click on the 'Candidate Activity' or 'Admit Card' link.
Enter your application number and date of birth to log in.
Your admit card will appear on the dashboard.
Download and take at least two clear printouts.
Note: Keep your admit card safe even after the exam, as it may be needed for the counselling process.
Syllabus & Exam Pattern for 2026
The NTA has introduced significant changes to the 2026 exam pattern to streamline the process.
Exam Pattern Changes in 2026
Subjects Reduced: The number of subjects has been reduced from 63 to 37.
No Optional Questions: Earlier papers had optional questions, but now all 50 questions per subject are compulsory.
Exam Duration: Each subject paper is exactly 60 minutes long.
Marking Scheme: +5 marks for each correct answer, -1 mark for each incorrect answer.
Syllabus Structure
The CUET syllabus is divided into three main sections. The syllabus for Domain Subjects is based on the NCERT Class 12 curriculum.
Section | Details | Subjects Included |
Section I: Languages | Tests reading comprehension and verbal ability. | IA (13 languages): Hindi, English, Assamese, etc. IB (20 languages): French, German, Japanese, etc. |
Section II: Domain Subjects | Tests knowledge in specific subjects. Choose up to 6 from 37 total. | Science: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths, etc. Commerce: Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics. Humanities: History, Political Science, Sociology, etc. |
Section III: General Test | Optional, for specific courses. Tests reasoning and GK. | General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Numerical Ability, Logical Reasoning . |
Syllabus Updates for 2026
Economics: Unit on 'Indian Economic Development' has been added.
Business Studies: A new unit on 'Financial Markets' has been added, while 'Entrepreneurship Development' has been removed.
Mathematics: 'Integration of quadratic expression' added; 'Random variables' removed from Probability.
Expected Cut-Off for Top Universities (2026)
Cut-offs are the minimum scores required for admission. They vary by university, course, and category (General, OBC, SC, ST). These are estimates based on previous years' trends and are not official. The actual cut-off depends on exam difficulty and the number of applicants.
Delhi University (DU) - High Competition
DU is expected to have the highest cut-offs, especially for top colleges like SRCC, Hindu, and Miranda House .
College | Course | Expected Score (Out of ~1000) |
SRCC | B.Com (Hons) | 970 - 985 |
Hindu College | B.A (Hons) Political Science | 985 - 995 |
Miranda House | B.A (Hons) Economics | 970 - 980 |
St. Stephen's | B.A (Hons) History | 975 - 985 |
Other Central Universities
These universities are also highly competitive but have slightly different ranges than DU.
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) - General Category (UR)
Course | Expected Cut-Off (Normalized Score) |
B.A (Hons) English | 75 - 83 |
B.Sc (Hons) Physics | 80 - 85 |
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) - (Scores out of 100)
Course | Expected Cut-Off (General) |
B.A. (Hons) Japanese | 92 - 96 |
B.A. (Hons) Korean | 93 - 99.5 |
How to Prepare for CUET UG 2026
Follow the NCERT Syllabus: Focus on your Class 12 NCERT textbooks, as they form the core of the domain subjects.
Practice with the New Pattern: Since all 50 questions in a paper are now compulsory, practice time management. You have only about 1 minute per question.
Use the Official Website: For the most reliable and timely updates regarding the admit card, answer key, and results, always visit cuet.nta.nic.in.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Candidates are advised to visit the official website of the National Testing Agency for the latest and accurate updates regarding CUET UG 2026.
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