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All about CUET 2025 Exam: Application, Eligibility, Pattern & Exam Dates

Author : Paakhi Jain

October 1, 2024

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Overview: Did you know that 11,13,610 students appeared for the CUET exam 2024 for admission to 280+ universities? Experts suggest that the number is likely to increase for both in 2025. Know more about what CUET 2025 holds for you in the article.

The CUET 2025 exam is your gateway to over 280 universities, including central, state-level, deemed-to-be, and private universities, for admission to their UG-level courses. Like 2024, the exam mode will be hybrid, including:

  • The exam will be offline (pen & paper mode) for subjects with applications above 1.5 lakhs.
  • The exam will be online (Computer-based) for subjects with applications below 1.5 lakhs.
  • All the subjects will have a single shift, and the normalization process will not be applied.

What is CUET?

  • The CUET stands for Common University Entrance Test and is an annual entrance test.
  • National Testing Agency administers the examination.
  • More than 280+ universities, including central, state, private, and deemed-to-be, participate in the examination.
  • Top universities like DU, BHU, JMI, AMU, etc, have adopted CUET since 2022. 

Is CUET and CUCET same? 

The CUET exam's full form is the Common University Entrance Test, while the CUCET stands for the Central University Common Entrance Test.

  • To simplify the previously conducted CUCET, it was a national-level entrance exam administered by the Central University of Rajasthan for UG and PG Research Program admissions.
  • In 2021, the National Testing Agency (NTA) took over the exams' responsibility.
  • In 2022, because of the National Education Policy 2020, CUCET was changed to CUET.
  • The first session of CUET, held in 2022, expanded the number of colleges and courses and ensured fair competition among the 12th-passed students.

 CUET Timeline

 CUET Timeline

The table below clearly shows the difference between both exams: 

Factors CUET CUCET
Conducting Authority National Testing Agency Central University of Rajasthan
Inception  2021 2010
Participating Universities 280+ (central, state, private, and deemed-to-be) 12 Central Universities
Exam Pattern Hybrid (Online & Offline) Computer-based test

Check the list of all CUET Participating Universities HERE 

CUET 2025 Universities & Colleges

CUET 2025 will be conducted in 380 cities in India to give students admission into 280+ colleges at the UG level. 

The universities accepting exam scores to admit 12th-standard students into their UG programs are known as CUET-participating universities. 

  • Several colleges plan to use CUET in 2025 for their undergraduate admissions procedure.
  • The number of CUET-participating colleges in coming years is expected to grow beyond 300+.
  • Like last year, prestigious colleges like DU, BHU, JMI, JNU, and others will continue to use the exam scores as the first step in their admissions procedure. 
University Type Top Names
Central DU, BHU, JMI, JNU, Allahabad University etc.
State DTU, AKTU, GGSIPU etc.
Private  Amity, Galgotias, Chitkara, Chandigarh University etc.
Deemed-to-be Graphic Era, Shiv Nadar, TISS, Jamia Hamdard etc.
Government Institutions ICAR, Indian Culinary Institute etc.

NTA CUET 2025 Entrance Exam Highlights

Here's a quick walkthrough of the CUET UG exam 2025 details to help you understand it. Read, learn, and recall!

Aspects Details
Exam Name Common University Entrance Test
Conducting Body National Testing Agency (NTA)
Frequency of Conduct Once a year
Exam Level National-level
Courses Offered Undergraduate
Participating Universities 260+ for CUET-UG
Mode of Application Online
Medium 13 languages
Mode of Exam Offline (Pen & Paper) & Online (Computer-based Test)
Type of questions Multiple-choice questions
Exam Centers 380 cities across India and 26 cities outside India
Mode of Counselling Online
Official website https://exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-UG/

Other Important Highlights

  1. You can choose a total of 6 subjects from all the sections. This means you need to plan your course and college choices precisely.
  2. As per the notification, no given combination of subjects is the best. However, choosing at least one language and a general test is advisable.
  3. The medium of the exam will be 13 languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
  4. The newly launched portal exams.nta.ac.in/cuet-ug will periodically have updates.
  5. The CUET exam dates will be different for offline & online papers. 
  6. All the subjects will have a single shift, and the normalization process will not be applied.
  7. English and General Test are the most popular subjects among the 63 papers.

Is CUET compulsory?

No, it is not compulsory! However, if you target top central universities like DU, AMU, JMI, BHU, etc., for your UG degree, appearing in the CUET exam is a must. Apart from central universities, around 232 private, state and deemed-to-be universities also accept CUET scores.

cuet exam results

cuet exam results

CUET 2025 Eligibility Criteria [Educational Qualification & Age Limit]

To be eligible to apply for the CUET Exam, you must satisfy specific eligibility criteria set by the exam conducting body, which can be different for each participating university.

The expected CUET Eligibility Criteria for the courses are listed below. 

  • All Indian Nationals are eligible to apply for the exam. (foreign candidates, NRI, and OCI candidates can also apply for the exam)
  • For UG courses, you must have completed class 12 with qualifying marks set by the university. 
  • There's no age limit to apply for the exam. However, some universities may have age limit for certain courses. 

You are advised to visit the official website of the college you wish to apply to, as the eligibility requirements can change from college to college and may also differ for every UG program. 

CUET 2025 Notification (Official)

The NTA will publish the CUET 2025 Notification on the official website in the last week of February.

  • The mode of application for CUET 2025 will be online.
  • The notice clarifies the expected exam changes and provides the official dates, pattern, syllabus, courses, and university list.
  • The registration process follows the official notification.

CUET Exam Date 2025

The official notice announcing the exam date for UG Courses will be published tentatively in March. The notice will also mention exam dates related to other events of the exam cycle. 

Go through the table to understand the tentative CUET Exam calendar for UG courses:

Events CUET 2025 Dates (Tentative)
CUET application form dates  Last week of February
CUET 2025 Exam Registration Last Date Last week of March
Fee Payment Last Date of Application Last week of March
CUET Application Form Correction Start Date 1st week of April
Correction Window Last Date 1st week of April
CUET City Slip Release Date 1st week of May
Admit Card Release Date 2nd week of May
CUET 2025 Exam Date 3 & 4th week of May
NTA CUET Results will be announced on Last week of June
CUET 2025 Merit List Release Date 2nd week of July
CUET UG Counselling begins Last week of July

How to apply for CUET Exam? 

Visit the official website of NTA CUET to apply for the exam. You must fill out the application form for the CUET exam. 

You can follow the instructions below while completing the CUET Application Form 2025

  • After clicking the "click here to apply" button on the official website, the online window to register for the exam will appear on the screen.
  • Once you click the "new register" button, fill in the fields such as name, mobile number, and E-mail ID.
  • You will receive the username and password for the registered mobile number and e-mail upon successful CUET registration.
  • It would be best to correctly fill in all mandatory fields, such as qualification details, communication details, parent details, exam centre preferences, and category.
  • The next step is to upload your photograph, signature, and other required documents according to the specifications in the official notification.
  • Once selected, click the "save & proceed" button and preview the online form.
  • Next, click the "make payment" button and pay the application fee per your category.

Documents required for CUET 2025 Registration

These are the essential documents required for CUET registration

  • The recent photograph should be either in colour or black and white, with 80% of the face (without mask) visible, including ears, against a white background.
  • The scanned photograph and signature should be in JPG/JPEG format (clearly legible).
  • The size of the scanned photograph should be between 10 kb to 200 kb (clearly legible).
  • The size of the scanned signature should be between 4 kb to 30 kb (clearly legible).
  • The size of the scanned copy of the Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS, etc.) should be between 50kb to 300kb in pdf (clearly legible).
  • *The size of the scanned copy of the PwBD certificate should be between 50kb to 300 kb in pdf (clearly legible).

CUET coaching

CUET coaching

CUET Registration Statistics

Let's take a quick look at the registration statistics from this year & past year to understand the importance of CUET 2025 in the evolving education landscape.

Review the University-wise highlights for the Top 5 CUET-UG Universities that you may target in 2025: 

Universities CUET Registration 2024  CUET Registration 2023 
University of Delhi 25,96,106 28 lakh
Banaras Hindu University 8,41,457 8.8 lakh
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University 5,12,588 4.1 lakh
University of Allahabad 4,81,329 3.1 lakh
Jamia Millia Islamia 2,63,587 2.6 lakh

Subject-wise Registration highlights for the Top 10 CUET Subjects

  • The significant rise in applicants across various subjects from 2023 to 2024 underscores the exam's expanding footprint in the academic arena.
  • It also reflects students' broadening academic interests, promoting a more diversified and inclusive approach to university admissions.

CUET 2025 Application Fee

While learning how to register for CUET, you must know that you can only pay the fee online. The application fee varies for different categories.

Check out the table below for the CUET 2025 application fee (tentative) per your category:

Category Application Fee Upto 3 subjects For each Additional Subject
General (UR) Rs. 1000 Rs. 400(each)
OBC)- (NCL) / EWS Rs. 900 Rs. 375(each)
SC/ST/PwBD/ Third Gender Rs. 800 Rs. 350(each)
Centres Outside India Rs. 4500 Rs. 1800(each)

How to check CUET Admit Card? 

The CUET Admit Card will be available on the official website 3-4 days before the exam. You can download the CUET admit card online by using your login credentials.

  • Go to the official website. 
  • Click on the ‘download CUET admit card’ link.
  • Enter your registration ID and Date of birth in the given space
  • Click on the Login button
  • The hall ticket will be displayed on the screen
  • Download the admit card and take a printout for future use
  • You must carry the CUET 2025 Admit Card to the exam centre without fail. Otherwise, you won't be allowed to take the exam.

CUET 2025 City Intimation Slip

  • The CUET UG City Intimation Slip (sometimes called the CUET Exam City Slip) lists the cities where the entrance exam will be conducted for all phases. 
  • The Exam City Slip breaks down the exam centres according to the specific exam dates so that you can properly plan and prepare for the exam.

It outlines all the necessary information for applicants, including:

  • Examination Name
  • Your name
  • Name of Conducting Body
  • Date of Birth
  • Application Number
  • Exam City Centre

CUET 2025 Exam Pattern

CUET (UG) adopts a hybrid format, offering online and paper-based exams for high-registration subjects to increase accessibility for candidates, especially from rural areas.

  • The exam limits subject choices to 6, streamlining the process and reducing stress.
  • You can choose a maximum of 6 subjects from all three sections for the subjects/languages.
  • The normalization process has been discontinued, and only the raw exam cores will be used for the final results.
  • The question paper will comprise only multiple-choice questions.

The NTA CUET Exam Pattern with the marks and number of questions is given below:

Sections Subjects/ Tests Questions to attempt Time Duration  Total Marks 
Section IA 13 Languages 40 out of 50 45 minutes 200
Section IB 20 Languages
Section II 29 Domain Subjects 40 out of 50 45/60 minutes 200
Section III General Test 50 out of 60 60 minutes 250

Note: Except in domain subjects i.e., Accountancy, Economics, Physics, Computer Science / Informatics Practices, Chemistry, Mathematics / Applied Mathematics and General Test, the test duration will be 60 minutes.

CUET 2025 Exam Marking Scheme

The CUET marking scheme is as follows: 

  • Correct answer or the most appropriate answer: Five marks (+5) 
  • Any incorrect option marked will be given minus one mark (-1). 
  • Unanswered/Marked for Review will be given no mark (0). 
  • If more than one option is found to be correct, then Five marks (+5) will be awarded to only - 

Is there a Negative Marking in CUET 2025?

Yes! For every wrong answer, you will lose one mark!

Here's how the marking scheme for the exam works, even when there are discrepancies:

  • If all options are found to be correct, then five marks (+5) will be awarded to all those who have attempted to answer the question.  
  • If none of the options is found correct, a question is found to be wrong, or a question is dropped, then all candidates who have attempted the dropped question will be given five marks (+5). 
  • If none of the options is found correct, a question is found to be wrong, or a question is dropped, then all candidates who have attempted the dropped question will be given five marks (+5). 

Latest Changes in CUET 2025 UG Exam 

  • As per NTA's latest modification, CUET 2025 will be conducted in hybrid mode for applicants from remote locations.
  • NTA has also reduced the subjects to emphasize an enhanced focus on only 6 subjects for better preparation.
Feature CUET UG (Previous Years) CUET UG 2025
CUET Exam Mode Computer-based only Hybrid (Computer-based and Pen-and-paper)
Normalization of CUET Scores Yes No
Number of Subjects for CUET 2025 Up to 10 Up to 6 
Subject Shifts Multiple shifts per day for each subject Single shift for each subject
CUET Exam (Pen & Paper mode) Not used Used for subjects with >1.5 lakh registrations

CUET 2025 Syllabus [Languages, Domain-Wise & General]

Knowing the syllabus plays a vital part in your preparation. NTA has released the syllabus for every language, domain, and GT, with units and important sub-units, as a PDF on the official website.

The CUET UG syllabus has been divided into Sections 1 (1A and 1B), 2, and 3. The syllabus for domain subjects will be based mainly on the NCERT books.

Sections Syllabus
Language Subjects Reading Comprehension (based on different types of passages–Factual, Literary and Narrative, and Literary Aptitude and Vocabulary
Domain Subjects As per the Class 12 syllabus (NCERT) only
General Test General Knowledge, Current Affairs, General Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning (Simple application of basic mathematical concepts Arithmetic / Algebra / Geometry / Mensuration / Statistics), Logical and Analytical Reasoning.

CUET 2025 Exam Preparation Tips

You would require a proper CUET preparation strategy and a study plan to crack entrance exams like the Common University Entrance Test. As the saying goes, "Better to start early than finish late!" 

As only raw exam scores will be used for further admission, it becomes essential to go through CUET exam analysis to prepare accordingly and thoroughly understand the CUET 2025 syllabus.

Section 1A & 1B: Language 

  • For English, improve your vocabulary by making a habit of reading the newspaper daily.
  • Note the difficult words and their meanings in a notebook and revise them regularly.

Section 2: Domain Specific Subjects

  • For domain-specific sections, read through your NCERT textbooks thoroughly. 
  • Revise the fundamentals and concepts from time to time. 

Section 3: General Test

  • Try to solve as many logical reasoning questions as possible that are given at the end of textbooks. In this way, you can enhance your speed and accuracy.
  • Practice puzzle-related questions to improve your problem-solving skills.
  • For the quantitative section, revise all the standard 8th, 9th, and 10th mathematics concepts, as most questions might be asked from these topics.
  • Attempting at least two CUET mock tests weekly to analyze your preparation levels is essential.
  • Lastly, you can always seek guidance from experts & mentors to crack CUET 2025. 

Begin your preparations well in advance, as this will help you complete the syllabus on time, and you will also be left with ample time to revise all the topics at least once before the exam.

CUET 2025 Subject-Wise Preparation Books

Choosing the right book is vital in qualifying for the entrance exam. The following are some of the best CUET preparation books; they cover all the topics as per the syllabus.

Some of the books you can use for English and GT are as follows:

  • Arihant’s English Grammar & Composition by S.C. Gupta
  • General Knowledge book by Arihant Publications
  • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examination by RS Aggarwal
  • English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy

CUET resources

CUET resources

CUET 2025 Result

Generally, the NTA will announce the results a month after completing the CUET UG 2025 exam date, released in PDF form.

You can download your NTA CUET Exam Result pdf using your registration ID and date of birth.

Follow the steps given below to the scorecard.

  • Visit the official website.
  • Click on the ‘login to view scorecard’ tab.
  • Enter your registration ID and Date of birth in the given space
  • Click on the Login button
  • The result pdf will appear on the screen
  • Download the scorecard and take a printout for future use.

Aiming to achieve good CUET results for the upcoming exam? 

  • CUET Mocks are a powerful tool that can significantly enhance your preparation for CUET 2025.
  • Whether you're gearing up for boards or the CUET entrance exam, engaging in mock tests can provide invaluable advantages. 

CUET Cut off for UG Courses 

In calculating the CUET exam cutoff, the key variables include:

  • Number of correct answers
  • Negative marking for incorrect answers
  • No penalty for unanswered questions
  • Section weightage specific to programs

Correct answers increase scores, while wrong answers may reduce them due to negative markings.

CUET 2025 Answer Key

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will release the final CUET answer key within 20 days of completing the exam.

  • Authorities will release the provisional answer key after the completion of the exam. 
  • With the help of the provisional answer key, you can verify all the answers and raise objections if you find any discrepancies.
  • Considering the objections raised, authorities will modify the responses (if required) and release the final answer key.
  • Note that you cannot raise objections against the final answer key. 

How to check CUET Answer Key?

The final CUET answer key will be available in PDF format. To download it, you must: 

  • Visit the "News and Events" section of https://exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-UG/.
  • Click on the answer key tab on the homepage.
  • A PDF version of the official CUET answer key will be shown on the screen.
  • Download and review the results and answer key solutions for score calculation. 

CUET 2025 Normalization Process 

Normalization is a process used to adjust test scores so that they can be compared to those of other students, regardless of the test's scale or difficulty level.  

  • In the case of CUET 2025, the normalization process has been discontinued as the exam will be conducted in hybrid mode with more exam centres and single shifts for each subject paper. 
  • In previous years, the raw scores for each session were converted into Percentile Scores; now, only the raw scores will be used for further admission

Once the exam is over, the post-exam events include:

  1. Release of Provisional answer key 
  2. Release of Final answer key
  3. CUET Results declaration 
  4. CUET Counselling 

CUET Telegram Channel

CUET Telegram Channel

CUET 2025 Counselling Process

Each participating university will conduct a separate counselling process after completing the exam. You must visit the institute's official website and register to participate in the CUET Counselling Process.

At the time of registration, you must select the desired program in the university you wish to apply to.

You need to bring the following documents to counselling:

  • CUET admit card
  • Class 10 Mark sheets
  • Class 12 Mark sheets
  • CUET 2025 Scorecard
  • Graduation Certificates
  • Category certificate (if applicable)
  • Passport size photographs
  • Medical certificate (for PwD category)

Check the list of CUET exam centres to take the test and secure your seat in top colleges. 

Check the list of CUET exam centres to take the test and secure your seat in top colleges. 

Top Central Universities for NTA CUET 2025 Admissions

The NTA’s Common University Entrance Test makes you eligible for 280+ universities. The following are some of the most popular universities for pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

1- University of Delhi

  • The University of Delhi is one of India's most prestigious educational institutions, renowned for its top-notch undergraduate courses.
  • Every year, lakhs of students from across the country flock to the varsity to pursue their dreams.
  • With over 20 colleges ranked among India's Top 50 NIRF institutions, DU has a long-standing legacy of providing quality education.
  • The CUET DU admissions will be for various courses, from Social Science to Economics, History, English, Psychology, Geography, and Political Science.
  • Moreover, introducing the CUET has reduced the high competition level among students.
  • So, if you're looking for an educational experience like no other, the University of Delhi is the perfect place!

2- Banaras Hindu University

  • According to the NIRF rankings, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is ranked 6th among all universities in India.
  • It is a prestigious, fully residential university located in Varanasi.
  • It is renowned for its Agricultural Science, Environment, Sustainable Development, Medicine, Law, Arts, Commerce, Social Sciences, and Performing Arts courses.

3- Jawaharlal Nehru University

  • JNU is one of the top universities in Delhi, ranking highly in the NIRF rankings. 
  • JNU admissions through CUET will be done for all UG & certificate courses.
  • It is renowned for its foreign language courses at the undergraduate level and its own entrance exam for admission to various courses.

Learn more about CUET BHU Admission process & details HERE

4- Jamia Millia Islamia

  • This university was ranked the best central university in India through NIRF rankings released by the Ministry of Education.
  • Located in Delhi, the CUET 2025 JMI Admission process will be conducted for 15 undergraduate courses. 
  • Some popular courses at JMI include mass communication, law, architecture, engineering, and social work.

5- Aligarh Muslim University

  • Other religious students of any faith can also apply to Aligarh Muslim University; however, most applicants are Muslim.
  • Founded in 1875, Aligarh is one of the oldest universities in India. It has off-campus locations in West Bengal and Kerala.
  • According to NIRF Rankings, Aligarh is ranked 11th overall in India.
  • AMU Admissions through CUET include popular engineering, law, medicine, social work, and management courses.

Courses Offered through CUET 2025 Exam

The number of programs, colleges, and course lists may vary yearly since the exam will now be conducted for admission to 280+ central, private, state and deemed universities. 

Check out the list of most preferred CUET Courses offered by the major participating institutes:

Note: Different universities offer various UG courses and specializations, which are not limited to the following streams. 

Best Humanities courses Best Commerce courses Best Science courses Additional Popular Courses
BA (H) Political Science  B.Com B.Sc (Hons) Mathematics B. Pharm
BA (H) History  B.Com (Hons) B.Sc (Hons) Physics Integrated Programs
B.A (H) Psychology  BBA FIA B.Sc (Hons) Zoology B.Voc
B.A (H) Philosophy BCA B.Tech BSW + MSW
B.A (H) Sociology BPA B.A. LLB

The above list is not the entire set of courses offered at 280+ universities. You can check out the list of CUET B.Tech Colleges List here! 

CUET Mocks

CUET Mocks

CUET 2025 PG Exam 

  • You should know that the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for undergraduate programs and the CUET for postgraduate (PG) programs are different.
  • This standardized assessment facilitates admissions to postgraduate courses across central and participating universities in India.
  • Designed to evaluate your readiness for advanced studies, the CUET PG ensures a consistent and fair measure of academic ability and subject-specific knowledge required for postgraduate education.
  • Mastery of the CUET PG's exam and eligibility criteria is crucial for those seeking to advance their academic pursuits at the postgraduate level.
Particulars Description
Exam Name Common University Entrance Test
Conducting Body National Testing Agency (NTA)
Frequency of Conduct Once a year
Exam Level University Level
Courses Offered Postgraduate Programs
Participating Universities 190+
Mode of Application Online
Mode of Exam Online (Computer-based Test)
Type of Questions Multiple-choice questions
Mode of Counselling Online
Official Website cuet.nta.nic.in

Key Takeaways

  • The CUET 2025 exam is a great way to enter top universities, providing a standardized assessment of academic abilities.
  • It is an efficient procedure for CUET-participating universities to admit potential students, as it objectively measures their skills. 
  • The exam is conducted annually with central, state, private and deemed-to-be universities accepting exam scores. 
  • The exam will be conducted in hybrid mode (offline & online). 
  • The post-exam events include the release of the CUET answer key, results and the beginning of the counselling process. 

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the CUET 2025 Exam scheduled?

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How many CUET participating colleges are there in 2025?

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What is the CUET 2025 eligibility?

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Who conducts Common University Entrance Test 2025?

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Is CUET 2025 Exam date confirmed ?

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Is BHU included in CUET 2025?

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Which Central University is best in CUET?

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Is NTA CUET 2025 Exam compulsory for Delhi University?

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