CUET-PG

CUET (PG) is a common entrance examination used for admissions to postgraduate programmes at participating universities. NTA states that it was introduced in 2022 to provide a common platform and wider access to postgraduate admissions; for the 2026 cycle, its scores were intended for participating universities’ 2026–27 admissions.

Taking CUET (PG) is not itself an admission offer. NTA’s role ends with registration, testing, answer-key processes, results and scorecards; each participating university applies its own programme eligibility, reservation rules, merit process and counselling arrangements.

• Use the participating-university listings to identify whether a target institution accepts CUET (PG).
• Then check that university’s programme page for the required CUET question-paper code, qualifying degree/subject requirements, category rules, seats and its separate admission/counselling process.

For CUET (PG) 2026, candidates who had completed a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, or who were taking the final-year bachelor’s/equivalent examination in 2026, were eligible to sit the test. NTA set no examination age limit for that cycle.

This is only the baseline to take the exam. Admission eligibility can differ by university and programme—for example, a university may prescribe a particular undergraduate discipline, minimum marks, subject combination, age condition or reservation documentation. NTA expressly says that appearing in CUET (PG) does not by itself entitle a candidate to admission.

• Match your intended programme to its accepted question-paper code before applying.
• Read the target university’s current postgraduate admission bulletin before relying on general CUET eligibility.
• Keep qualifying-degree and category/disability documents ready for the university’s verification stage.

In the 2026 cycle, CUET (PG) was conducted only as a computer-based test (CBT). Each selected question paper lasted 90 minutes and had 75 MCQs. Candidates could choose up to four question-paper codes, subject to the courses and codes accepted by their prospective universities.

The 2026 marking scheme awarded four marks for a correct response and deducted one mark for a wrong response; no marks were awarded for unanswered questions. Humanities, science and common-subject papers were generally bilingual in English and Hindi. The bulletin specified exceptions for language, M.Tech/higher-science and Acharya papers, and stated that the English version is final in a discrepancy except for language and Acharya papers.

• Plan paper choices from university programme mappings rather than selecting papers only because they appear related to an undergraduate degree.
• Practice on a computer and time 75-question sets to a 90-minute limit.
• Use the official syllabus for the exact question-paper code; preparation content is code-specific.

CUET (PG) applications are submitted online through the NTA CUET (PG) portal. The 2026 bulletin required one application form per candidate, registration with a unique mobile number and email address, completion of personal and academic details, paper and city choices, uploads, online fee payment, and saving the confirmation page after successful payment.

For context only, the 2026 application window ran from December 14, 2025 to January 14, 2026, with a correction window from January 18 to January 20, 2026; these dates are past and should not be treated as a schedule for a later cycle. The 2026 base fee for up to two papers was ₹1,400 for General candidates, ₹1,200 for Gen-EWS/OBC-NCL, ₹1,100 for SC/ST/Third Gender, and ₹1,000 for PwD/PwBD, plus applicable payment-processing charges/GST. Later cycles may change dates and fees.

• Apply only through the official NTA portal when registration opens.
• Complete fee payment and download the confirmation page; an application is not complete without successful payment.
• Use your own accessible email and mobile number, and monitor the NTA portal for city-intimation, admit-card, answer-key and result notices.

Start with the official syllabus for the exact CUET (PG) question-paper code required by each target programme. NTA publishes the paper-code list and directs candidates to the official syllabus; because similar programme titles may be mapped to different codes by different universities, confirming each university’s mapping should come before building a study plan.

Prepare for the actual CBT format: 75 MCQs in 90 minutes with negative marking. In practice, this means combining subject revision with timed computer-based question practice, an attempt strategy that accounts for the −1 penalty, and review of mistakes by syllabus topic.

• Create a target-university and programme list, then record the accepted question-paper codes beside each programme.
• Download the official syllabus and divide it into revision units.
• Take timed 90-minute mock tests; review incorrect and skipped questions separately.
• Practise only with the medium and paper-specific conventions applicable to your chosen code.

After the examination, NTA hosts provisional answer keys and recorded responses for challenge, finalises answer keys, declares results and hosts scorecards. NTA does not conduct counselling or create the final admission merit list; participating universities receive score data and conduct their own admissions.

For the 2026 cycle, the NTA FAQ says the score was valid only for academic year 2026–27. Candidates therefore needed to follow each target university’s separate admission portal and timetable after receiving a CUET (PG) score. The NTA participating-university list is dynamic, so it should be checked alongside the relevant university’s own admissions notices.

• Download and preserve the NTA scorecard.
• Register separately wherever a participating university requires a post-result application or counselling registration.
• Check each university’s eligibility verification, merit/allotment notices, fee deadlines and document-verification requirements.
• Do not assume that a score, a particular rank expectation or inclusion in NTA’s university list guarantees a seat.