CUET PG 2026:Key Dates, and New Exam Details

New Delhi, December 15, 2025: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially begun the registration process for the Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate (CUET PG) 2026, marking the gateway to Master’s programmes in over 200 Central, State, Private, and Deemed universities across India. Aspiring students are urged to start their applications immediately as the window is now open.

This national-level exam is a single-window opportunity for postgraduate admissions for the academic session 2026–27. Here is a comprehensive guide on who can apply and the crucial details for the upcoming test.

Who is Eligible to Apply for CUET PG 2026?

The eligibility criteria for CUET PG 2026 are broadly defined by the NTA, though candidates must also meet the specific requirements of their desired course and university.

1. Educational Qualification:

The fundamental requirement is a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised university.

• Final Year Students: Importantly, candidates who are appearing in the final year or final semester of their undergraduate degree (or equivalent qualification) in 2026 are also fully eligible to apply. They must ensure, however, that they successfully complete their degree and produce the necessary documents at the time of counselling or admission by the university’s deadline.

2. Minimum Qualifying Marks:

While the NTA does not specify a rigid minimum percentage for all, most universities adhere to the following standard for the qualifying Bachelor’s exam:

• General Category: A minimum of 50% aggregate marks (or an equivalent grade).
• Reserved Categories: Candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), and PwD categories typically require a minimum of 45% aggregate marks (or an equivalent grade).

3. Age Limit:

The NTA has confirmed that there is no upper or lower age limit for candidates applying for CUET PG 2026. However, applicants are strongly advised to check the specific age criteria, if any, set by the individual participating universities, as these institutional rules must still be met for final admission.

CUET PG 2026: Important Exam Details

The NTA has released a tight schedule for this year’s examination cycle:

Event	Important Dates (2025-2026)
Online Application Starts	December 14, 2025
Last Date to Submit Application & Fee	January 14, 2026 (up to 11:50 PM)
Application Correction Window	January 18 to January 20, 2026
Examination Dates	Scheduled for March 2026
Mode of Exam	Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Exam Structure at a Glance:

The entrance exam is designed as an objective-type, multiple-choice question (MCQ) test.

• Total Subjects: The exam will be conducted for a total of 157 subjects, offering a wide range of options across Science, Humanities, Language, Acharya, and Common professional streams.
• Exam Duration: The test duration is 90 minutes (1 hour 30 minutes).
• Question Format: The question paper will generally consist of 75 MCQs, with subject-specific questions based on the candidate’s chosen field.
• Marking Scheme: The system involves +4 marks for every correct answer and a deduction of -1 mark for every incorrect response.

How to Register

The application process is exclusively online and must be completed through the official NTA website. Candidates must first register to generate an Application Number, then log in to fill out the detailed form, select their programmes/test papers (up to four test papers are permitted), choose their preferred exam cities (from the 292 centres in India or 16 abroad), upload scanned documents (photograph and signature), and finally pay the required application fee to complete the submission.

All aspirants must download and thoroughly read the official CUET (PG) 2026 Information Bulletin available on the NTA website before filling the form to ensure they meet all eligibility and documentation requirements.