CUET 2026 Eligibility Criteria: The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) 2026 is one of the most popular entrance exams in India, as it allows candidates to apply for admission to multiple universities. More than 240 CUET 2026 participating institutes and universities will offer admissions to a wide range of UG courses in Science, Commerce, and Arts/Humanities. Appearing for CUET 2026 is beneficial for candidates, as it enables them to target multiple universities for admission through a single test.
If you wish to take CUET 2026 and apply for admission to various institutes, you must fill out the application form after ensuring that you meet the CUET 2026 eligibility criteria. Check all the details about the eligibility criteria, including the required qualifications, age limit, and other important information, in this SciAstra article.
Note: The details mentioned in this article are based on the previous year’s CUET Information Brochure. The brochure for the 2026 session of the test has not yet been released. In case of any changes in the CUET 2026 eligibility criteria, the article content will be updated accordingly.
CUET UG 2026 Overview
The CUET 2026 application form will tentatively be released in the first week of March 2026 at cuet.nta.nic.in. The CUET 2026 for different subjects will tentatively be held in May/June 2026. Candidates planning to apply for the exam should also check the overview of the test along with the eligibility criteria. The overview is as follows:
Features | Details |
Exam Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Frequency of the examination | Once a Year |
Syllabus Download Website | Yet to be released |
Medium of the examination | 13 languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu |
Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs of Physics Domain) |
Total Questions | 50 (all compulsory) |
Marking Scheme |
|
Exam Duration | 60 minutes |
Total Marks per Subject | 250 |
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CUET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Only those candidates who meet the CUET 2026 eligibility criteria can appear for the test. Therefore, they must refer to the following details related to eligibility before filling out the CUET 2026 application form:
CUET 2026 Eligibility: Qualifications
To appear for the CUET UG 2026, candidates must have passed Class 12/equivalent or be appearing for the Class 12 final exam in 2026.
They must have completed their Class 12 from a recognised Central or State Board.
There is no minimum marks or percentage criterion in the qualifying exam to apply for CUET 2026. However, candidates must check the minimum marks or percentage requirements of the university or institute they want to apply to for admission through CUET 2026 before applying for the exam.
CUET 2026 Qualifying Exams
Candidates who have passed or are appearing for the following exams are eligible to take CUET UG 2026:
The final examination of the 10+2 system, conducted by any recognised Central/State Board, such as the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi; Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi.
Intermediate or two-year Pre-University examination conducted by a recognized Board/University.
Final examination of the two-year course of the Joint Services Wing of the National Defence Academy.
Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Institute of Open Schooling with a minimum of five subjects.
Any Public School/ Board/ University examination in India or any foreign country is
recognised as equivalent to the 10+2 system by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
Higher Secondary Certificate Vocational Examination.
A Diploma recognised by AICTE or a State board of technical education of at least 3 years' duration.
General Certificate of Education (GCE) examination (London/Cambridge/Sri Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level.
High School Certificate Examination of the Cambridge University or International
Baccalaureate Diploma of the International Baccalaureate Office, Geneva.
Candidates who have completed the Class 12 (or equivalent) examination outside India or from a Board not specified above should produce a certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) to the effect that the examination they have passed is equivalent to the Class 12 Examination.
In case the Class 12 Examination is not a public examination, the candidate must have passed at least one public (Board or Pre-University) examination earlier.
CUET 2026 Eligibility: Age Limit
There is no age limit to appear for CUET UG 2026.
CUET 2026 participating universities may have minimum and upper age limits for admission to UG courses. It is recommended that candidates check the age limit-related admission criteria of the university/institute they wish to apply to before filling out the CUET 2026 application form.
CUET 2026 Eligibility: Reservation
Indian nationals from Other Backward Classes-Non Creamy Layer (OBC NCL), General EWS, Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories will be considered as the reserved categories for CUET UG.
Candidates with 40% of a specified disability will also come under the PwD reserved categories for CUET UG 2026. 'PwD' here refers to a person with a long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairment which, in interaction with barriers, hinders his full and effective participation in society equally with others.
CUET 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Important Notes
To understand the Common University Entrance Test 2026 criteria, candidates must consider the following points as well:
Meeting the CUET 2026 eligibility criteria does not guarantee candidates admission to their preferred university. As the eligibility criteria for admission may be unique for every university, the candidates are advised to visit the university website to which they are applying for their respective programmes.
To be considered under the reserved categories for admission through CUET 2026, candidates must upload the relevant category certificate while filling out the CUET 2026 application form.
To receive reservation-related benefits, they will also have to submit copies of their category certificates while filling out the counselling registration form of the university/institute they wish to apply to for admission.
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Conclusion
The first and most important step for any candidate who desires to apply for undergraduate admissions through CUET 2026 is understanding the eligibility criteria. As eligibility criteria would vary between universities/courses, it is imperative for candidates to check both CUET 2026 eligibility criteria and institution-specific criteria. This will ensure error-free application and a smooth admission process for candidates. With proper awareness and timely preparation, a candidate will be able to confidently move ahead with their CUET journey to secure admission to their desired university.
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