5 Reasons why 13 Languages in NTA CUET is an Advantage for Students

Overview: While most exams are in English and Hindi, the CUET exam is conducted in 13 different languages; let's understand why 13 languages in CUET is an advantage for students!

CUET is a national-level entrance exam that over 280 universities accept for their admission processes. Being the 2nd largest entrance exam conducted in India, the medium of the exam in 13 languages is an advantage for many students. 

Read further to know more about it in the blog. 

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Introduction

There are more than 1,600 languages spoken in India, making it a linguistically diverse country. In such a vibrant cultural landscape, access to quality education in one's native language isn’t just a preference—it’s a necessity. By providing the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) in 13 different languages, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has made significant progress toward inclusion.

The medium of the exam is in 13 languages and these 13 languages are also included as language papers in Section 1 of the exam. When you ask why 13 languages in CUET is an advantage for students, it is because: 

• This helps deserving students from any educational background to attend the CUET entrance and give their best in the exams.
• Since top universities are now considering CUET for admissions, a high cut-off shouldn't be an issue. 

Language Options for NTA CUET Exam 2026

The CUET entrance exam is expected to be conducted in 13 scheduled languages: 

1. English
2. Hindi
3. Assamese
4. Bengali
5. Gujarati
6. Kannada
7. Malayalam
8. Marathi
9. Odia
10. Tamil
11. Telugu
12. Urdu
13. Punjabi

Why 13 languages in CUET is an advantage for students? 

1. Helps secure more Marks

• Studies show that students tend to score higher when taking the exam in their native language. That, in turn, shows us that domain knowledge is not limited to those fluent in English or even Hindi.
• CUET’s multilingual approach enables students to take the test in a language they’ve studied in school, thereby boosting both confidence and accuracy.

2. More opportunities for Rural Students 

• When exams are conducted in a native medium, students from smaller towns and rural areas can compete with other students from urban areas who are good in English or Hindi. This will help evaluators select the correct students and make more accurate assessments of them.
• When CUET is conducted in multiple languages, it encourages students nationwide to pursue their studies. This will also promote the equality of languages. 

3. No Language barrier

• When you ask, why 13 languages in CUET is an advantage for students, one of the reasons is that living in a metropolitan city, you tend to hear everyone talking in English. But the actual data says that only 30% of the Indian population can speak English to a certain level, and only 10% of our population can speak and write English fluently.
• CUET’s multilingual format enables students to select the language with which they are most comfortable. This reduces unnecessary pressure and lets students focus on CUET preparation. 

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4. Creating a Level Playing Field

• Ultimately, education should be about what you know, not what language you speak. CUET in 13 languages ensures that a student from a small village in Odisha has the same shot at admission as a student from an English-medium school in Delhi.
• That’s the kind of equal opportunity every student deserves.

5. No Discrimination

• When questions are in different languages, not only does it ensure uniformity, but it also eliminates any discrimination based on language.
• Students from rural and semi-urban areas now have a fair chance to apply into top CUET universities like DU, BHU, JNU, and others.

Conclusion

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasises the importance of multilingualism and mother-tongue education. With CUET being conducted in 13 languages, many participants across the country participate and score well! Ensure you select the correct options when filling out your CUET application form.