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How to Fill CUET University Preference List in 2026: From Registration to Seat Allotment
February 2, 2026
Overview: Are you also confused about how to fill your cuet university preference list? Don’t worry! Here we’ll let you know when to check university portals, how to register, how to make a priority list, which documents to keep ready, and what to do after a seat is allotted.
Filling the CUET form is just the first step. It only asks for the subjects you plan to appear in and it does not decide your college or course. The real game begins after the CUET UG exam. Once results are out, each university opens its own counselling portal where registration, document upload, and course–college preference filling take place.
This stage is crucial. A well-planned preference list can significantly improve the chances of securing a seat, even with a moderate score.
In this blog, we are going to break the entire process in a clear and practical way, covering which university portals to track, how to create a strong preference list, what documents should be ready in advance, and how seat allocation actually works.
What is the CUET University Preference List 2026?
The CUET University Preference List is a simple list of colleges and courses you want after the CUET exam. You write them in order, from most liked to least liked. This list is filled on university admission websites, not in the CUET application form.
When results come, the university checks your CUET score and matches it with your CUET university preference list. If your score fits a course, you may get that seat. A longer list with dream, normal, and safe choices gives more chances. Make this university preference list early so that filling out forms on college portals becomes easy and fast.
When to Start Checking University Admission Portals
Now, many students are confused and ask us questions like, 'When should we start checking university admission portals?' To answer this, we suggest you start checking university admission portals as soon as the CUET UG results are released and continue checking them regularly until admissions are complete.
Step 1: Save your CUET roll number and the email you used.
Step 2: When the CUET UG admit card is released, keep checking your SMS and email for messages.
Step 3: During CUET exam weeks, many universities open their admission portals. After the results, portals post merit lists and round dates.
Make your own CUET university preference list before portals open so you can fill it quickly. Bookmark major portals like the University of Delhi, BHU, DTU, and IPU, and keep checking all notifications and the latest news on the college portals.
When a portal opens, it shows how to register and what fee to pay. Do not wait until the last day. Try registering it on the sites early and keep a copy of your list.
How to Register on a University Portal (Step-by-Step)
After the CUET UG exam, each university conducts its own admission process through a separate portal. Registration must be done individually on every university portal where admission is being considered. The steps are broadly similar across universities.
Step-by-step process
1. Open the university’s official admission page. Use the link given on the university website or in its admission brochure so you don’t end up on a fake page.
2. Find and click the button that says “Register”, “New User” or “UG Admissions” to start. It’s usually easy to spot on the admissions page.
3. Fill in your CUET details exactly as shown on your CUET form. Common fields you’ll need to enter are:
- CUET application number or roll number
- Your full name (as on your mark sheet)
- Date of birth
4. Some universities will pull info like your chosen subjects or photo automatically from NTA records. Still check every box and uploaded file, do not assume everything is correct.
Keep your CUET roll number, a clear photo, and a scanned copy of your mark sheets ready before you start. This makes registration quick and less stressful.
4. Fill in additional personal and academic details
Such as:
- Address
- Mobile number
- Email ID
- Category or quota details (if applicable)
5. Upload required documents
Some of the major documents include:
- CUET scorecard (when available)
- Class 10 and 12 mark sheets
- Category or reservation certificates (if applicable)
- Photograph and signature
Note: Each university/college has its own rules for documents. Some may ask for additional certificates or documents. So, it's important to always read the instructions on the portal carefully before uploading anything.
6. Create and Save Your Login Details
After you finish registering, save your login ID and password safely. You will need them again and again for filling your preference list, checking updates, viewing seat allotment.
7. Tracking Your Registrations
Applying to multiple universities at the same time might get confusing. A simple way to stay organised is to make a small tracking table like this:
| University portal | Registered | Docs uploaded | Login Credentials |
| University A | No | No | No |
| University B | No | No | No |
Note: You can save this on your phone or make a table in Excel sheet for quick reference.
Important tip:
Use one active email ID and the same mobile number across all university portals. Universities send important updates such as correction windows, merit lists, and seat allotment notices via email and SMS, and consistency helps prevent critical information from being missed.
How to Make Your CUET University Preference List
A preference list is simply the order in which colleges and courses are chosen during university counselling. Each option is a college and course combination, and the order matters.
A well-thought-out list should be strong, logical, and realistic.
How to Choose and Arrange University Preferences
1. Begin with Your Dream Option
Make a list of top colleges and courses you want the most at the top, even if it seems difficult. There is no penalty for aiming high.
2. Add Strong but Realistic Choices Next
These should be colleges and courses where the expected cut-off is closer to your probable CUET score and where joining would feel satisfactory.
3. Include Multiple Score-matching Options
Add multiple colleges and courses that align closely with your expected score range. These improve the chances of seat allotment.
4. End with Safe Options
Add those colleges or courses which are comparatively having lower cut-offs or broader eligibility criteria.
5. Keep Backup Options
Consider similar courses, allied subjects, or universities in other cities to avoid losing a seat due to limited choices.
Important: The number of choices allowed depends on the university portal. Some portals allow many preferences, while others have a fixed limit. Always fill in as many preferences as the portal permits.
Why Adding More Preferences Helps?
Universities allot seats by checking preferences from top to bottom.
- If the first preference cannot be allotted due to cut-off, seat availability, or category rules,
- The system automatically checks the next preference, and then the next.
Providing more valid choices simply gives the system more opportunities to allot a seat, as per official counselling rules.
Sample University Preference List (Illustration)
| Priority | College Name | Course | Reason |
| 1 | Top College | BA (Hons) Economics | Dream |
| 2 | Strong College | BA (Hons) Economics | Realistic |
| 3 | Nearby College | BA Programme | Safe |
Make your CUET university preference list on paper or your phone first. This helps you paste the same list into each portal fast.
Which Documents are Required for College Admission After CUET UG 2026
After CUET UG results, universities ask candidates to upload scanned copies of documents on their respective admission portals. These must be clear, legible, and uploaded in the format specified (usually PDF or JPEG). Also keep your cuet university preference list note handy to paste into each portal.
Here are the common documents you will need:
- Class 10 mark sheet — This shows your date of birth and school details. Universities use it as proof of age.
- Class 12 mark sheet — This shows your final marks. Some colleges may ask for the Class 12 pass certificate later, so keep it ready.
- CUET UG scorecard — You get this after results. Universities use this score to make merit lists and allot seats.
- Recent passport-size photograph — Use the same photo you used for CUET registration. Make sure it looks clear and not blurred.
- Scanned signature — Scan your signature the way the portal asks. Check the size and format rules on the site.
- Valid photo ID — One of these usually works: Aadhaar card, school ID, or passport. Each university will say which ID it accepts.
- Category or reservation certificate (if you have one) — This is only for students in OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, ST, or PwBD categories. Make sure the certificate is in the right format and valid for the admission year.
- Any extra papers the university asks for — This could be an income certificate, domicile proof, or a gap certificate. Read the portal instructions closely.
Important tips
- Try uploading clear, readable documents only. Blurred or cropped files can lead to rejection.
- Strictly follow file size and format limits mentioned on each portal.
- Keep both colour and black-and-white scans saved on your phone or drive.
- File requirements may differ from one university to another, so always rely on the official admission portal or brochure.
Preparing these documents in advance helps avoid last-minute issues during registration, preference filling, and seat allotment stages.
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How Seat Allotment Works and What to Do After Seat Allotment
After the NTA releases scores, each university uses its rules to allot seats. The system ranks candidates by score, checks category rules, and then goes through each student’s cuet university preference list in order.
Process:
- If your score meets the cut-off for Priority 1 and you are eligible, you get that seat.
- If not, the system checks Priority 2, then Priority 3, and so on.
- The portal will show the allotted college and course.
If you get a seat:
1. Login to the portal.
2. Accept the seat (click “Confirm” or similar).
3. Pay the admission fee within the portal deadline.
4. Upload originals or attend document verification as the university asks.
5. Keep screenshots of allotment pages and payment receipts.
If you do not accept a seat, the system may move to the next candidate. So, it's important to always act fast.
Key Takeaways
The CUET university preference list decides where you may get a seat after the results. Make a clear list with dream, realistic, and safe picks. Register on each university portal, upload documents, and paste your saved preference list to avoid mistakes. Keep copies of screenshots and payment slips.
- Try to fill as many college preferences as the portal allows (often 50–120 combinations, depending on the university).
- Keep scanned copies of all the documents ready in the required format.
- Save login IDs, passwords, acknowledgement slips, and screenshots at every stage.
- Keep copies of fee payment receipts and confirmation pages for future reference.
- Practicing CUET mock tests helps improve speed, accuracy, and exam confidence.
- You can also enroll with SuperGrads CUET coaching for a well-structured study plan, unlimited mock tests, and personalised guidance
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Chetanya Rai
Communications Executive (CUET)
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