CUET PG 2027: exam date, pattern, syllabus and how to apply
CUET PG (the Common University Entrance Test for postgraduate programmes) is the National Testing Agency's test for admission to master's programmes at participating universities. Each university uses the score in its own admission. As of 20 October 2026, NTA has not announced CUET PG 2027: the CUET PG page still shows the notices of the 2026 cycle. Last cycle, the information bulletin came out in December 2025, registration ran from 14 December 2025 to 14 January 2026, and the test was held in March 2026. Use the months before the notice to prepare.
CUET PG at a glance
| Conducting body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| What it is for | Admission to postgraduate programmes of participating universities |
| Mode | Computer-based test at a centre |
| Questions | 75 per paper, all compulsory |
| Time | 90 minutes per paper |
| Marking | +4 for a right answer, −1 for a wrong one, 0 for a blank |
| Languages | English and Hindi for most papers; language papers in that language |
| How often | Once a year |
| Official website | exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg |
CUET PG 2027 exam date
Not announced as of 20 October 2026. For reference, this is how the 2026 cycle ran, from the 2026 bulletin and notices:
| Event | CUET PG 2026 |
|---|---|
| Information bulletin | December 2025 |
| Online registration | 14 December 2025 to 14 January 2026 |
| Correction window | 18 to 20 January 2026 |
| Exam | 6 to 27 March 2026, over 15 days |
The 2027 dates may differ. When NTA opens the 2027 cycle, the notice and the bulletin will appear on exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg and on nta.ac.in. Our CUET PG exam-dates page will be updated from that notice.
How to apply for CUET PG
Based on the 2026 bulletin; check the 2027 bulletin when it is out.
- Decide on the universities and programmes first. Each programme names the question paper code it accepts; the participating universities page links to them.
- Register on the CUET PG site with your own e-mail and mobile number.
- Fill in the form and choose up to four question paper codes, and your exam cities.
- Upload your photograph, signature and any category or PwD certificate.
- Pay online. In 2026 the fee for up to two papers was ₹1,400 (General), with lower fees for other categories and an extra fee for each further paper; check the 2027 bulletin for current amounts.
- Download the confirmation page and use the correction window if you need to.
Eligibility: a bachelor's degree, or being in the final year of one. There is no age limit to sit the test, but each university applies its own eligibility, age and subject rules.
CUET PG exam pattern
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Papers | Up to four, chosen from 157 codes (Common, Languages, Science, Humanities, M.Tech/Higher Sciences, Acharya) |
| Questions per paper | 75, all compulsory |
| Time per paper | 90 minutes; each paper is its own sitting |
| Marking | +4 right, −1 wrong, 0 for blank or "marked for review" without an answer |
| Score | Reported paper by paper, not as one total |
With +4 and −1, a guess is worth it once you can rule out one option out of four. If a subject runs in more than one shift, NTA normalises scores by the equi-percentile method.
CUET PG syllabus
Each paper code has its own syllabus on the CUET PG syllabus page. Three examples:
- General (COQP11): English, Hindi comprehension, general knowledge, computer basics, arithmetic and reasoning.
- History (HUQP09): ancient, medieval and modern India, and world history including the major revolutions and the world wars.
- Political Science (HUQP18): Western and Indian political thought, concepts like liberty and justice, international relations, and the Indian Constitution and institutions.
Our CUET PG syllabus page has these three in detail.
A plan for the months before the notice
Now to December. Pick your target programmes and confirm which paper codes they accept. Take one full timed CUET PG mock test in your main paper to see where you stand. Revise your undergraduate subject unit by unit.
When the bulletin comes out. Apply early and check the code numbers twice. Read the 2027 bulletin for any change in pattern or fees.
The last eight weeks. One full 90-minute mock each week for each paper you will take, then one topic test a day on weak units. Track your wrong answers: each costs a mark, so stop guessing where you cannot rule out any option.
The last week. Revise notes, one final mock, check the admit card for the date, shift and centre.
Our article on how to analyse a mock test shows how to turn a mock into a study list.
Useful links
- CUET PG on the NTA examinations site (notices and application)
- CUET PG syllabus index
- Free CUET PG mock tests
- CUET PG syllabus
- CUET PG exam dates
- UGC NET December 2026: exam date, pattern and how to apply
- Negative marking: when to guess
Frequently asked questions
When is CUET PG 2027?
NTA has not announced it as of 20 October 2026. In the 2026 cycle the bulletin came out in December and the test ran in March; watch exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg for the 2027 notice.
Is there negative marking in CUET PG?
Yes. A right answer gets 4 marks and a wrong answer loses 1. An unanswered question scores 0.
How many papers can I take in CUET PG?
Up to four question paper codes, matched to the programmes you are applying for. Each paper is a separate 90-minute sitting.
Can final-year students apply for CUET PG?
Yes. The 2026 bulletin allowed candidates in the final year of their bachelor's degree. There was no age limit for sitting the test.
Is CUET PG in Hindi?
Humanities, Science and Common papers were in English and Hindi in 2026. Language papers are in their own language, and M.Tech/Higher Sciences papers in English only.
Does NTA give admission through CUET PG?
No. NTA conducts the test and sends the score. Each university prepares its own merit list and runs its own admission.