CUET UG 2027: exam date, pattern, syllabus and how to apply
CUET (UG), the Common University Entrance Test for undergraduates, is the entrance test for undergraduate programmes at Central Universities and at the state, deemed and private universities that join it. The National Testing Agency (NTA) runs it. If you are in Class 12 now and asking when CUET UG 2027 is, the date has not been announced yet (checked 20 October 2026). The NTA's examination calendar, published on 16 September 2026, runs only to March 2027 and does not include CUET (UG); the CUET site still shows the 2026 cycle, which began on 11 May 2026.
CUET UG at a glance
| Conducting body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| What it is for | Undergraduate admission to Central Universities and other participating universities |
| Mode | Computer-based test only |
| Subjects | 37 in 2026: 13 languages, 23 domain subjects and the General Aptitude Test; choose up to 5 |
| Questions | 50 compulsory questions in each subject paper |
| Time | 60 minutes for each paper, on its own clock |
| Marking | +5 for a right answer, −1 for a wrong one, 0 for a blank; 250 per paper |
| Languages | Papers in English and the language chosen when applying (13 mediums) |
| How often | Once a year |
| Official website | cuet.nta.nic.in |
CUET UG 2027 exam date
As of 20 October 2026 the NTA has not announced CUET (UG) 2027. What is known:
| Item | Status (checked 20 October 2026) |
|---|---|
| CUET (UG) 2027 exam date | Not announced |
| NTA examination calendar (16 September 2026) | Covers exams up to March 2027 only; CUET (UG) is not in it |
| CUET (UG) 2026 | Began on 11 May 2026, per the NTA's press note |
The 2027 bulletin, application window and dates will appear on cuet.nta.nic.in, and NTA-wide notices on nta.ac.in. Universities announce their own admission schedules after the result.
How to apply for CUET UG
The steps follow the 2026 bulletin; check the 2027 one when it is out.
- Shortlist your universities and programmes first. Each university decides which CUET subjects it needs for each programme. Note them before you fill the form.
- Read the information bulletin on cuet.nta.nic.in and register with your own mobile number and email.
- Fill in your details and choose up to five subjects, counting languages and the General Aptitude Test. You may choose subjects you did not study in Class 12, if the university accepts them.
- Choose the medium of the question paper and your exam cities.
- Upload your photograph, signature and any category or disability certificate.
- Pay the fee online; in 2026 it depended on how many subjects you chose.
- Print the confirmation page and keep checking the site for the city slip and admit card.
Eligibility in short: the NTA sets no age limit. You may sit if you have passed Class 12 or an equivalent, or are appearing in the exam year. Each university can add its own age and subject rules, so read its admission page too.
Exam pattern
Every subject is a separate 60-minute paper, so the pattern is the same for each one:
| Per subject paper | |
|---|---|
| Questions | 50, all compulsory |
| Time | 60 minutes |
| Right answer | +5 |
| Wrong answer | −1 |
| Blank | 0 |
| Maximum | 250 |
- Your subjects are not added into one total by the NTA. A university uses the score of each subject it asks for.
- If a subject is held in more than one shift, raw marks are converted to an NTA score by the equi-percentile method.
- If a question is dropped, everyone who sat that paper gets 5 marks for it.
- Calculators are not allowed.
CUET UG syllabus
Each subject has its own syllabus on the CUET site. For the four papers we offer:
- English (101): reading comprehension (factual, narrative and literary passages of up to 300 words), rearranging parts, matching, choosing the correct word, synonyms and antonyms.
- General Aptitude Test (501): general knowledge and current affairs, general mental ability, numerical ability, quantitative reasoning (arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, statistics), logical and analytical reasoning, general science and environment literacy.
- Physics (322): the Class 12 NCERT units, from electrostatics to electronic devices.
- History (314): Themes in Indian History, Parts I to III, from the Harappan civilisation to the making of the Constitution.
Domain subjects follow the NCERT Class 12 syllabus. See our CUET UG syllabus page.
A plan for the months that are left
In 2026 CUET began in May, after most board exams, so the plan is mostly about using your board preparation well.
| Period | What to do |
|---|---|
| Now to January | Confirm your target universities and the subjects each one wants. For domain subjects, your board study is your CUET study; add one timed 50-question paper a fortnight per subject. |
| February to the boards | Keep boards first. Once a week, sit one CUET paper to keep the speed. Fill the form when it opens. |
| After the boards | One timed paper a day, rotating your subjects, and the General Aptitude Test every few days if you chose it. |
With +5 for a right answer and −1 for a wrong one, an informed guess between two options is worth taking, but a blind guess among four is not much better than leaving it. The arithmetic is in our negative marking article. Work at about a minute per question so you have a few minutes to check.
Useful links
- Official CUET (UG) site, for the form and notices: cuet.nta.nic.in
- Official information bulletin page: CUET (UG) information bulletin
- Official syllabus for every subject: CUET (UG) 2026 syllabus
- Participating universities: cuet.nta.nic.in/participating-universities
- Free CUET UG mock tests on Mockrooms
- CUET UG syllabus and CUET UG exam dates
- Related: how to use mock tests and NEET UG 2027 exam date and how to apply
Frequently asked questions
When is the CUET UG 2027 exam?
It had not been announced as of 20 October 2026. The 2026 test began on 11 May 2026; the 2027 notice will be on cuet.nta.nic.in.
Is there negative marking in CUET UG?
Yes. A wrong answer costs 1 mark, a right answer earns 5, and a blank scores 0.
How many subjects can I choose in CUET UG?
Up to five, counting languages and the General Aptitude Test. Choose the ones your target universities ask for.
Is there an age limit for CUET UG?
The NTA sets none. A university may have its own age rule for a programme, so check its admission page.
What is the CUET UG passing mark?
There is no pass mark. Universities make their own merit lists from the NTA scores of the subjects they ask for.
Is the CUET UG score valid for two years?
No. The 2026 NTA score was valid for admission in 2026–27 only, so you sit again if you apply in a later year.