CUET UG Exam Pattern 2026 includes detailed CUET paper pattern, CUET sections, section-wise subject list, number of sections, total number of questions, exam duration, CUET marking scheme, and full marks. These details will help students grasp the CUET exam pattern and devise a suitable strategy for CUET preparation.
The NTA conducts the CUET UG exam in an online CBT mode. It will have three sections and a total of 37 papers. The test will solely comprise multiple-choice-based questions. There will be 50 compulsory questions in each paper, carrying 5 marks each. There will be a deduction of 1 mark for each incorrect answer. Overall, the CUET full marks for each paper will be 250. CUET exam pattern outlines that a student can choose a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 5 subjects in CUET; the overall full marks in CUET for a student can vary from 750 - 1250.
According to the latest updates and previous years’ trends, the CUET exam will tentatively be held from the second week of May onwards. Students must follow this page till the end to get a brief insight into the revised CUET 2026 exam pattern, CUET marking scheme, and an overview of the CUET 2026 syllabus.
In collaboration with UGC, NTA announced significant changes in the CUET exam pattern in 2025. The pattern is expected to remain the same and not undergo any further changes in 2026. According to the latest CUET exam pattern, the following are the brief highlights.
Latest CUET Exam Pattern: Highlights
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Download NowNTA conducts the CUET for UG admissions to all the participating universities across India. 217 universities (including 47 central universities - DU, JNU, Hyderabad University, Allahabad University… and many more) will be a part of the CUET (UG) 2026. A brief overview of the CUET exam pattern and the CUET marking scheme for 2026 has been provided below.
CUET Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Mode of Exam |
Online (CBT mode) only |
|
Number of Sections |
3 Sections [Language (section I), Domain-Specific subjects (section II), and General Aptitude Test (section III)] |
|
Exam Slots |
Two slots [Morning (9 am to 12 pm) & Afternoon (3 to 6 pm)] |
|
Marking Scheme |
+5 - for the correct answer -1 for the wrong answer 0 for unattempted question |
|
Number of Questions |
There will be 50 compulsory questions for each paper across sections |
|
Exam Language |
The exam will be conducted in 13 languages (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Gujarati, Odia, Bengali, Assamese, Punjabi, English, Hindi and Urdu) |
Concerned candidates must take note of the following:
Once students are well-versed with the CUET 2026 exam pattern and CUET marking scheme, they must thoroughly check the CUET syllabus. Students must know the detailed syllabus of the subjects they aspire to appear for in CUET UG. This would enable them to prepare comprehensively for the test and boost their CUET scores.
Download the CUET Previous Year's Question Papers for all subjects from CUET 2022, 2023, and 2024 - absolutely FREE!
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The CUET exam pattern provides detailed information regarding the number and types of questions asked in the exam, paper-wise exam duration, CUET marking scheme, etc. Students must understand the latest pattern to align their CUET preparation accordingly.
The Latest CUET UG Exam Pattern 2026
|
Sections |
Subjects/ Tests |
No. of Questions |
To be Marked |
Duration |
|
Section I |
13 Languages |
50 |
All questions are compulsory |
60 minutes for each language |
|
Section II |
23 Domain subjects |
50 |
All questions are compulsory |
60 minutes for each subject |
|
Section III |
General Aptitude Test |
50 |
All questions are compulsory |
60 minutes |
Note:
According to the latest CUET exam pattern, all three sections combined will have 37 papers. The details of the same have been tabulated below. Students must thoroughly review the CUET 2026 exam pattern - subject list, to identify the papers for which they want to appear in CUET.
CUET Exam Pattern Subject List - Section I
There are a total of 13 languages in section I, including English & Hindi. The brief list includes the following subjects.
|
English |
Hindi |
Assamese |
Bengali |
|
Gujarati |
Kannada |
Malayalam |
Marathi |
|
Odia |
Punjabi |
Tamil |
Telugu |
|
Urdu |
|||
CUET 2026 Exam Pattern Subject List - Section II
There are a total of 23 subjects in section II (domain subjects). Previously, 29, 6 subjects were removed in 2025. The final list of 23 domain subjects from section II is as follows:
|
Accountancy/Bookkeeping |
Agriculture |
Anthropology |
Biology |
Business Studies |
|
Chemistry |
Environmental Studies |
Computer Science |
Economics |
Fine Arts/Visual Arts/ Commercial Art |
|
Geography/ Geology |
History |
Home Science |
Knowledge Tradition-Practices India |
Mass Media/Mass Communication |
|
Mathematics / Applied Mathematics |
Performing Arts |
Physical Education/NCC/ Yoga |
Physics |
Political Science |
|
Psychology |
Sanskrit |
Sociology |
CUET UG Exam Pattern Subject List - Section III
Section III of CUET UG comprises a single paper. The paper is called the GAT or General Aptitude Test.
Note: Admission to all the dropped language courses and domain subjects will be based entirely on the student's General Aptitude Test (GAT) performance in CUET 2025.
Download the CUET Previous Year's Question Papers for all subjects from CUET 2022, 2023, and 2024 - absolutely FREE!
Download NowThe CUET 2026 exam pattern allows students to attempt the test in 13 languages. English & Hindi are two languages that the candidates can choose from in any state of India. The other 11 regional languages are primarily available in the states where the population mainly speaks it. Below is a detailed list of the CUET exam pattern - medium of the exam (language option).
CUET exam pattern - Medium of questions
|
Sl. No. |
Language |
Exam centers |
|
1 |
English |
All Examination Centres |
|
2 |
English and Hindi |
All Examination Centres |
|
3 |
English and Assamese |
Examination Centres in Assam |
|
4 |
English and Bengali |
Examination Centres in West Bengal, Tripura, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
|
5 |
English and Gujarati |
Examination Centres in Gujarat, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli |
|
6 |
English and Kannada |
Examination Centres in Karnataka |
|
7 |
English and Malayalam |
Examination Centres in Kerala and Lakshadweep |
|
8 |
English and Marathi |
Examination Centres in Maharashtra |
|
9 |
English and Odia |
Examination centres in Odisha |
|
10 |
English and Punjabi |
Examination Centres in Punjab, Chandigarh, and Delhi/New Delhi (including Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Meerut, Noida/Greater Noida) |
|
11 |
English and Tamil |
Examination Centres in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
|
12 |
English and Telugu |
Examination Centres in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana |
|
13 |
English and Urdu |
All Examination Centres in India |
Candidates are requested to pay attention to this list. The language option for the question papers should be opted for correctly while filling out the application form, as students might not get a chance to change it at a later stage. Please note that the English version will be considered final for any discrepancies in the question paper in any language.
The CUET exam pattern also includes detailed guidelines regarding the CUET marking scheme. It contains details for mark distribution per correct, incorrect, and unattempted questions in the CUET paper. According to the latest information, there will be no change in the CUET marking scheme for the upcoming exam in 2026. The following is the brief CUET marking scheme for 2026.
CUET 2026 marking scheme
|
Type |
Marks |
|
Right answer |
+5 |
|
Wrong answer |
-1 |
|
Unattempted question |
0 (No negative marking) |
Note:-
Download the CUET Previous Year's Question Papers for all subjects from CUET 2022, 2023, and 2024 - absolutely FREE!
Download NowTo ramp up CUET 2026 preparation, candidates should thoroughly check the CUET syllabus and grasp the CUET exam pattern. We have already thoroughly covered the CUET exam pattern. Below is a brief overview of the CUET 2026 syllabus for all three sections.
CUET 2026 Syllabus: Overview
|
Particular |
Overview |
|
Syllabus |
Language (section IA & IB) - Language is to be tested through reading comprehension (based on different types of passages), grammar, literary aptitude, vocabulary, etc. |
|
Domain Subject (section II) - Complete NCERT Class 12 Syllabus for respective subjects. |
|
|
General Aptitude Test (section III) - General Knowledge, Current Affairs, General Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning (Simple application of basic mathematical concepts, arithmetic/algebra, geometry/mensuration/statistics), Logical and Analytical Reasoning, etc. |
Check the detailed CUET syllabus for all the subjects across three sections.
This briefly overviews the CUET UG exam pattern 2026 and the CUET Marking Scheme. Students must ramp up their preparation with a comprehensive coaching program. This would enable them to score maximum marks in the test and secure admission to their dream colleges.
CUET exam pattern underwent some major changes in 2025. However, no further changes are expected in 2026, and the exam pattern is expected to remain the same.
A student can choose a maximum of 5 subjects in the CUET UG. They must check the eligibility criteria for their desired course and target universities before choosing subjects in the CUET form.
The details regarding the exam slots and timings are yet to be announced by the NTA. However, the exam is expected to follow the two-shift pattern - Morning (9 AM - 12 PM) and Afternoon (3-6 PM).
The CUET (UG) question paper is divided into three broad sections. Namely:
According to the latest CUET exam pattern, students can choose a maximum of 4 domain subjects. Choosing one language from section I is a must.
The latest CUET exam pattern has unified the question pattern and marking schemes across the three sections. Now, each paper will have 50 questions carrying 5 marks each. Students can choose a maximum of 5 and a minimum of 3 papers. So, based on this, the CUET total marks will be between 750 to 1250 pertaining to the number of subjects a student has opted for in the CUET
According to the latest CUET 2026 exam pattern, all 50 questions in any paper across 3 sections will be compulsory.
Any student can choose 3, 4, or 5 subjects in CUET, which must include at least one language.
The CUET 2026 (UG) will be conducted solely in an online and CBT mode.
CUET exam pattern outlines that each paper in the CUET exam will have a maximum duration of 60 minutes.
The CUET exam pattern clearly outlines that each wrong answer in CUET will cause a deduction of 1 mark.
