The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) was introduced from the year 2022 for admission into all Undergraduate (UG) Programs in all Central Universities.
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) will provide a common platform and equal opportunities to candidates across the country, especially those from rural and other remote areas and help establish a better connection with the Universities. A single examination will enable the candidates to expand their application range for admission to various Central Universities.
CUET is not exactly a new examination. Earlier known as CUCET, the exam was introduced in 2010 for admission to undergraduate, integrated postgraduate and diploma/certificate courses at seven central universities.
However, the union government has now made the exam mandatory for admission to central universities, including institutions like Delhi University and Visva-Bharati University. Now, more than 57 central universities and other institutions will be participating in the Computer Based Test (CBT) conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
| Duration of Online registration and submission of Application Form for CUET (UG) – 2024 | February 2024 - March 2024 (Provisional) | |
| Release of Admit Card | Second Week of May 2024 | |
| Date of Examinations | Between 15th May, 2024 and 31st May, 2024 | |
| Release of provisional answer key | To Be Notified | |
| Release of final answer key | To Be Notified | |
| Results | June, 2024 (Provisional) |
The eligibility criteria depend on the course and university to which the student wants to gain admission. However, here are some general criteria for admission to UG, PG and PhD programs:
| General candidates | Minimum 50% marks in Class XII or equivalent exam |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates | Minimum 45% marks in Class XII or equivalent exam. |
For appearing in the CUET (UG), there is no age limit for the candidates. However, the candidates will be required to fulfil the age criteria (if any) of the University(ies) in which they are desirous of taking admission.
It is advised that the candidates go through the eligibility requirements of the respective university.
Application for the examination is accepted only through the online form.
Here are the steps to complete the application process:
The fees for the examination can be paid via a debit/credit card, net banking, or an SBI bank challan from any branch.
Here is the fee structure for the exam:
| General candidates | Rs 650/- |
| General Economically Weaker Section (EWS)/OBC Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) candidates | Rs 600/- |
| SC/ST/ Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)/Third gender | Rs 550/- |
| All candidates appearing for the CUET 2024 at centers outside India | Rs 3000/- |
Here are the details of CUET 2024 as shared by the NTA so far:
| Mode of exam | CUET is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) that must be taken at assigned exam centers |
| Medium of exam | The test will be conducted in 13 languages — English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. |
| Number of slots | Candidates can choose from two slots — Slot 1 (9 am-12:15 pm) and Slot 2 (3 pm to 6:45 pm) |
| Duration of exam | The duration of Slot 1 is 195 minutes (3hours 15 minutes) while that of Slot 2 is 225 minutes (3hours 45 minutes) |
| Number of sections | The paper is divided into four sections— Section IA (Language), Section IB (other language), Section II (Domain-specific subjects) and Section III (general knowledge) |
| Question format | Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) |
| Number of questions | Section IA and Section IB will have 50 questions each, out of which students must attempt 40 from each section. In Section II 35/40 Questions to be attempted out of 45/50. Section III will have 60 questions of which 50 need to be answered. |
| Marking scheme of exam | Candidates will be awarded 5 marks for each right answer. 1 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer |
CUET (UG) offers a bouquet of Languages/Subjects/General Test covering most of the subjects/languages offered by most of the Universities. The candidate has to choose the test he is required to appear in, as required for admission to the desired course in the desired University. CUET (UG) will consist of the following 4 Sections:
Choosing options from each Section is not mandatory. Choices should match the requirements of the desired University. Broad features of CUET (UG) are as follows:
| Section | Subjects/Tests | Questions to be Attempted | Question type | Duration |
| Section IA - Languages | There are 13* different languages. Any of these languages may be chosen. | 40 questions to be attempted out of 50 in each language | Language to be tested through Reading Comprehension (based on different types of passages–Factual, Literary and Narrative, [Literary Aptitude and Vocabulary] | 45 Minutes for each language |
| Section IB - Languages | There are 19** Languages. Any other language apart from those offered in Section I A may be chosen | |||
| Section II - Domain | There are 27*** Domains specific subjects being offered under this Section. A candidate may choose a maximum of Six (06) Domains as desired by the applicable University/ Universities. | 35/40 Questions to be attempted out of 45/50 |
|
45 Minutes for each Domain Specific Subjects. |
| Section III General Test | For any such undergraduate programme/ programmes being offered by Universities where a General Test is being used for admission. | 50 Questions to be attempted out of 60 |
|
60 Minutes |
** Languages (13) : Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Gujarati, Odiya, Bengali, Assamese, Punjabi, English, Hindi and Urdu
** Languages (20) : French, Spanish, German, Nepali, Persian, Italian, Arabic, Sindhi, Kashmiri, Konkani, Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Sanskrit, Santhali, Tibetan, Japanese, Russian, Chinese.
A Candidate can choose a maximum of any 3 languages from Section IA and Section IB taken together. (One of the languages chosen needs to be in lieu of Domain specific subjects)
*** Domain Specific Subjects (27) : Section II offers 27 Subjects, out of which a candidate may choose a maximum of 6 Subjects.
The subjects that candidates need to cover for CUET depend on the course they are applying for.
In general, the paper will have language-specific and general knowledge questions along with subject-specific questions that the candidate would have studied for Class XII.
When filling out their application forms, candidates will get the chance to choose four examination centers. Candidates will be notified of their exam centers when they receive their admit cards. Currently, there are exam centers spread across 547 cities within India and 13 cities abroad. If less than 100 candidates enroll for any exam center, then the center will get cancelled and the candidates will be re-allotted to the nearest center.
The date of the release of the answer key is yet to be announced. It is estimated to be released in the third week of July. Candidates can view and raise objections after the answer key is released. Once the process is complete, the final answer key will be made available on the CUET website.
Results will be available on the CUET website after the release of the final answer key. The cut-off and merit list will be decided by the universities. Candidates will have to visit the university or the university websites to see the merit list put up by the institution.
Selected candidates will have to complete the counselling process at the universities. The dates and details of the process are to be shared by the respective institutions.
