The CUET exam (Common University Entrance Test) is a national-level entrance test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for undergraduate admissions across 250+ Indian universities. Mandated by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 2022, it replaced individual university entrance tests. Any student who has passed or is appearing in Class 12 from a recognised board can apply, with no minimum percentage set at the central level.
The CUET exam stands for Common University Entrance Test. The National Testing Agency (NTA), which also runs JEE Main and NEET, conducts it under the direction of the University Grants Commission (UGC). The UGC mandated in 2022 that all Central Universities use CUET scores for undergraduate admissions, ending decades of separate entrance tests. According to the UGC circular issued in March 2022, this mandate covers all 45 Central Universities in India.
There are two versions: CUET-UG for undergraduate admissions and CUET-PG for postgraduate programmes. This article focuses on CUET-UG, which is what most Class 12 students are looking at.
There is no minimum percentage set by NTA at the central level. You just need to have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (or equivalent) from any recognised board. Individual universities set their own cut-offs and subject requirements on top of that. Delhi University, for instance, requires specific domain subjects depending on the course you apply for.
There is no age limit for CUET-UG, which is a relief for students who took a gap year or repeated Class 12.
| Detail | CUET-UG | CUET-PG |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Body | NTA (for UGC/Central Universities) | NTA |
| Eligibility | Class 12 passed or appearing | Graduation in relevant subject |
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Participating Universities | 250+ universities (NTA, 2024) | Central Universities |
| Admit Card | Released on NTA CUET portal | Released on NTA CUET portal |
| Score Validity | One academic year | One academic year |
The CUET exam pattern divides CUET-UG into three sections. Section IA and IB cover languages (13 and 20 languages respectively). Section II covers 27 domain-specific subjects, from Physics and Economics to Legal Studies and Fine Arts. Section III is the General Test, covering quantitative reasoning, logical reasoning, general knowledge and current affairs.
You do not sit for all sections. You choose based on the university and course requirements. Most science students pick 2 domain subjects plus a language. Humanities students often add the General Test for universities like DU or BHU that require it.
Each correct answer earns +5 marks. Each wrong answer costs -1 mark (negative marking applies). Unattempted questions get zero. Each section typically has 50 questions, of which you attempt 40. The total marks vary by the number of sections you attempt.
NTA uses normalisation when the exam runs across multiple shifts and days. The percentile-based normalisation method ensures that a student appearing on a tougher day is not unfairly penalised. This is the same method used in JEE Main.
All 45 Central Universities are mandated to accept CUET scores. That includes Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Hyderabad Central University, and Jamia Millia Islamia, among others. According to NTA data, over 250 universities participated in CUET-UG 2024, up from 90 institutions when the exam launched in 2022.
Beyond Central Universities, state and private universities have voluntarily joined the CUET system. Some IIM-affiliated integrated programmes, institutions under the Council of Architecture (COA), and select NLU-affiliated colleges under the Consortium of NLUs also consider CUET scores for specific programmes. IGNOU uses CUET for several of its UG courses.
If you are thinking about engineering or medical admissions, the CUET exam does not replace JEE or NEET. IITs and IISERs have their own entrance tests. You can read more about IIT, IISER and IIM courses after Class 12 to understand how those pathways differ from CUET-based admissions.
For a broader look at your options after Class 12, the best career paths after 12th grade guide on 3.0 University covers everything from traditional degrees to emerging tech careers.
Short answer: the CUET exam difficulty has increased significantly, even if the questions themselves are not harder than a Class 12 board exam.
The difficulty is not in the syllabus. CUET domain subjects are directly mapped to NCERT Class 12 content. If you have genuinely studied your boards, the questions will not shock you. The challenge is the speed required and the sheer volume of competition.
Over 13.4 lakh candidates registered for CUET-UG 2024, according to NTA official data. For popular courses like BA (Hons) English or B.Com (Hons) at DU, the effective cut-off in CUET percentile scores can be above 95. That leaves very little margin for error.
The General Test section catches many students off guard. It is not just GK; it tests logical and quantitative reasoning at a pace that needs deliberate practice. Students who treat the CUET exam as an afterthought after boards tend to underperform here.
If you are weighing the CUET exam against a career in a high-growth field, it is worth knowing that some of the highest-salary jobs in India after 12th do not require a Central University degree at all. Cybersecurity, AI, and cloud computing roles increasingly value certified skills over university brand.
Students interested in tech careers can also look at cybersecurity careers after Class 12 and check cybersecurity course eligibility to understand what is possible even without a top-university admit.
For structured guidance on how to think about your next three to five years, the career planning guide for Class 12 and college students on 3.0 University is a practical starting point. And if you want to compare degree routes with skill-based routes side by side, the 3.0 University course catalogue shows what is available right now.
The honest take: the CUET exam is fair and rewards consistent NCERT preparation and good test strategy. It is not brutal like JEE Advanced, but it is not a walk-through either. Plan for at least three to four months of dedicated prep, run full-length mocks under timed conditions, and do not neglect the General Test section.
Whatever path you choose after Class 12, building practical, certified skills in Cybersecurity, Ethical Hacking, AI, Blockchain, or Web3 alongside your degree gives you a real edge in the job market. Explore 3.0 University’s online certification courses and start building industry-ready skills today.
CUET stands for Common University Entrance Test. It is a centralised national-level entrance test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) under the University Grants Commission (UGC) for undergraduate and postgraduate admissions across participating universities in India.
The CUET exam is competitive rather than conceptually hard. The domain syllabus maps directly to NCERT Class 12 content, so strong board preparation helps. What makes it tough is the speed required, negative marking, and the number of applicants. Over 13.4 lakh students registered for CUET-UG 2024, according to NTA data, pushing cut-offs very high for popular courses at top Central Universities.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the CUET exam under UGC’s mandate. Any student who has passed or is appearing in Class 12 from a recognised board can apply for CUET-UG. There is no minimum percentage set by NTA at the central level, though individual universities apply their own eligibility criteria on top of the CUET score.
The CUET exam pattern has three sections: Languages (Section I), Domain Subjects (Section II), and General Test (Section III). You attempt sections relevant to your course. Each correct answer gives +5 marks; each wrong answer deducts 1 mark. Most sections have 50 questions, of which you attempt 40, within 45 to 60 minutes per section.
CUET is compulsory for all 45 Central Universities in India, as mandated by the UGC from the 2022-23 academic year. Over 200 state and private universities have also joined voluntarily. However, IITs, IISERs, and medical colleges using NEET are not part of the CUET system.
All 45 Central Universities, including Delhi University, JNU, BHU, and Jamia Millia Islamia, are mandated to accept CUET scores. Over 250 state and private universities have also joined, according to NTA data. IGNOU, select NLU-affiliated colleges, and some IIM integrated programmes also consider CUET scores for specific courses.
No. IITs require JEE Advanced, and IISERs use IAT or JEE Advanced scores. The CUET exam does not replace these. If you are targeting IITs, IISERs, or IIM undergraduate integrated programmes, those have separate entrance processes. You can read more about those pathways in our guide on IIT, IISER and IIM courses after Class 12.
Last updated: September 2026. Reviewed by the 3University editorial team.
We create, review, and maintain educational content covering Cybersecurity, Ethical Hacking, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Web3, and emerging technologies.
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