DU vs. BHU vs. JNU: CUET Cutoff Differences You Must Know

The Common Entrance Test (CUET) has changed the undergraduate admission process in India’s top universities. Amongst the top universities which are sought after by most students are Delhi University (DU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

This article provides a comprehensive guide to the cutoff difference between the three most prestigious universities for students to make an informed decision.

CUET 2025 Key Updates 

All the key updates regarding CUET 2025 have been provided below:

Expected Competition

The competition is expected to be high with over lakhs of candidates eyeing for seats at prestigious institutions like DU/BHU/JNU. Raw scores have become even more important with the expected no normalisation policy which will most probably be continued from the previous year. 

DU CUET Cutoff 2025

The CUET cutoffs 2025 for DU continues to be the most competitive amongst the three institutions. The reasons for the same being:

• Prime location in the nation’s capital 
• Historical Reputation
• Extensive Alumni Network

Commerce & Economics Programs

The cutoff for Commerce & Economics programs is expected to remain the highest. Making the admission in top DU colleges extremely competitive. 

• B.A. (Hons) Economics: Anticipated to require a 98+ percentile, especially for top colleges like SRCC and Hindu College.
• BCom (Hons): Expected cutoff is 96+ percentile, for premier institutions such as SRCC.

Liberal Arts

The cutoff for Liberal Arts is also expected to be high. Making the admission competitive

• B.A. (Hons) English: Projected to demand a 95+ percentile, particularly in colleges like Lady Shri Ram and Hindu College.

BTech Programs

The cutoff for BTech programs is also expected to be high. Making the cutoffs for admission competitive

• Computer Science Engineering (CSE): Top institutions accepting CUET scores for BTech courses are expected to have cutoffs between 90 to 95 percentile.   

Target Score for DU 2025:

In order to secure admission in top DU colleges students should aim for a percentile between 98-99 which corresponds to approx. 750+ marks out of 800.

BHU CUET Cutoff 2025 

The CUET cutoffs 2025 for BHU continues to be competitive but offers a little more accessibility as compared to DU.The reasons for the same being:

• Comprehensive Academic Offerings 
• Relatively Larger Intake

General Category Requirements

Students belonging to the general category need to score above 700 marks in CUET 2025. As for more competitive programs students need to score 750+ to secure an admission. 

JNU CUET Cutoff 2025

JNU's reputation for academic excellence continues in 2025, with particular strength in postgraduate programs and research-oriented undergraduate courses.

Undergraduate Programs 

Competitive undergraduate programs require 700+ marks for general admission consideration.

Postgraduate Excellence

For CUET PG 2025, students must score above 200 marks, with expected cutoffs for general category candidates at 230-240 marks. OBC category candidates can expect cutoffs around 220-230 marks.

Target Score for JNU 2025

Undergraduate admissions require 700+ marks, while postgraduate programs demand higher benchmarks with subject-specific requirements.

Factors Affecting CUET Cutoffs 

There are several factors that affect the CUET cutoffs for each of these institutions:

Seat & Course Availability

The seat availability continues to be the main factor affecting CUET cutoffs. 

• DU's limited seats in popular courses like Economics and Commerce create the highest competition.
• BHU's broader course offerings and larger intake capacity provide slightly more opportunities.
• JNU's specialized programs attract a more focused applicant pool.

Geographic & Demographic Factors

• DU's location in Delhi attracts students from across India, intensifying competition.
• BHU's strong regional presence, while maintaining national appeal, creates a different competitive dynamic.
• JNU's reputation in social sciences and liberal arts attracts students with specific academic interests.

CUET Cutoff 2025: Category Wise

The CUET cutoff for each university category wise has been given below:

Key Changes & Expectations for 2025

The key changes & expectations for 2025 are as follow:

DU Vs BHU Vs JNU: Which one to Choose?

While the CUET cutoffs are an important factor behind choosing the university, students should keep in mind that the best university for them will be the one which aligns with their academic interests, career aspirations & personal preferences. Each university has their own unique factor:

• DU for its urban opportunities and diverse student body
• BHU for its comprehensive programs and rich heritage
• JNU for its research excellence and intellectual environment

Understanding the CUET cutoff difference between DU, BHU & JNU allows the students to make an informed decision. While the competition for admission in each of these universities is high but with proper preparation and clear understanding of the admission criteria students can secure seats in their preferred colleges as well as courses.