The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) Undergraduate 2026 exams commenced on May 11, 2026 . The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the exam over 21 days, concluding on May 31, 2026 , with 35 shifts scheduled across 595 test centers nationwide.
Exam Analysis and Observations
Initial analysis of the CUET UG 2026 papers indicates varying difficulty levels across subjects. Experts are reviewing exam shifts to identify trends and key topics. Early feedback suggests the paper analysis helps students gauge their performance and identify challenging areas.
Students reported the online examination process was smooth. Most subject tests were manageable within the allotted 60 minutes. However, the General Test was noted as challenging due to its time-consuming calculations.
CUET UG 2026 Exam Schedule Highlights
| Event | Important Dates |
| Exam Start Date | Monday, May 11, 2026 |
| Exam End Date | Sunday, May 31, 2026 |
| Duration | 21 Days (35 Shifts) |
| Admit Card Release | May 5, 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key | Early June 2026 (Expected) |
| Result Declaration | Mid-June 2026 (Expected) |
CUET UG 2026 Exam Pattern Overview
The CUET UG exam is structured into three sections:
| Section | Subjects Included | Number of Questions |
| Section I | Language Papers | 50 |
| Section II | Domain-Specific Subjects | 50 |
| Section III | General Test | 50 |
Subject-Wise Difficulty Analysis (Day 1)
English
The English section was rated easy to moderate. Key topics included Reading Comprehension (factual and narrative), synonyms, antonyms, and para-jumbles.
Chemistry
Chemistry presented a moderate difficulty level. The paper balanced physical, organic, and inorganic chemistry questions. Numerical problems were primarily formula-based.
Accountancy
Accountancy was assessed as moderate. Major areas covered were Partnership, Company Accounts, and Cash Flow Statements. Some questions required extensive calculation.
Political Science
The Political Science paper was easy to moderate. Conceptual questions focused on the Indian Constitution, Political Theory, and International Relations.
Business Studies
Business Studies was considered easy to moderate. The section featured direct questions on marketing, principles of management, and the business environment.
Sociology
Sociology was rated moderate. Topics included structural and cultural change, social institutions, and social movements.
General Test
The General Test was moderate, featuring tricky reasoning questions like number series and mirror images. Current affairs covered elections and Nobel Prizes.
Student Reviews and 'Good Attempts'
Student feedback indicated that 60 minutes was sufficient for most subjects, except the General Test. For Language Tests, an estimated 42-45 questions with accuracy are considered good attempts.
Expected Cutoffs for Top Universities
Preliminary estimates for expected cutoffs in popular courses at leading universities are as follows:
| University | Popular Course | Expected Cutoff (General) | Percentile |
| University of Delhi (DU) | B.Com (Hons) / Economics | 760 – 800+ | 99.5+ |
| DU (South Campus) | B.A. / B.Sc Programs | 650 – 720 | 95 – 98 |
| Banaras Hindu Univ (BHU) | B.Sc Agriculture / B.A. LLB | 480 – 530 (out of 600) | 98+ |
| Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) | B.A. (Hons) Psychology/Eco | 65 – 85 (Weighted score) | 97+ |
| JNU | B.A. (Hons) Foreign Languages | 80 – 95% | 98+ |
