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CUET Eligibility 2026: Check Central Universities Eligibility, and Subject-wise Eligibility
Content Curator | Updated On - Jun 11, 2026
What's New in CUET 2026?
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is designed for students aiming for admission to Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs in central, state, and private universities across India. The eligibility criteria define the minimum academic qualification, age limit, and reservation policies that candidates must fulfill to appear for the exam.
The eligibility requirements depend on the university and courses, but some general criteria for all the students are as follows:
- Students must have passed Class 12th or equivalent exam from a recognized board with a score of 50% for the General Category and 45% for the SC/ST Category.
- There is no minimum or maximum age limit set by NTA for applying to the CUET exam (some universities may have their specific age requirement)
- Every university has program-specific eligibility criteria that the candidates should meet for admission.
Candidates should focus on understanding the CUET 2026 eligibility criteria before filling out the application form.
Go through the article to learn more about the subject-wise eligibility criteria, category-wise relaxation, and eligibility criteria for top central universities.
Also Check:
Academic Qualification for CUET Exam
The candidates should have passed the class 12th or equivalent exam from a recognized board. You can refer to the table below to check the academic qualification required to meet the CUET eligibility criteria:
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Qualification | Must have passed Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board |
| Minimum Marks Required | No fixed marks criteria by NTA; universities may require 50% for General, 45% for OBC/EWS, and 40% for SC/ST/PwD |
| Age Limit | No age restriction (some universities may have specific age criteria) |
| Year of Passing Class 12 | Candidates appearing for Class 12 in 2026 or who have passed earlier can apply |
| Board Eligibility | Recognized boards include CBSE, ICSE, State Boards, NIOS, and International Boards |
CUET Age Limit
The National Testing Agency has set no minimum or maximum age limit criteria for admissions but certain universities have specific age limits for admission to their undergraduate programs.
Some universities that have specific age limit criteria are mentioned in the table below:
| University | Age Limit Criteria |
|---|---|
| Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | The B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture program requires candidates to be between 16 and 25 years of age as of July 1 of the admission year. Age relaxations are provided for reserved categories. |
| Central University of Kerala | Candidates should not be above 19 years of age as of July 1 of the admission year. |
| Central University of Kerala | Candidates should not exceed 25 years of age as of July 1 of the admission year. |
| Pondicherry University | Candidates should not be more than 21 years old as of July 1 of the admission year. |
Table of Contents
- Academic Qualification for CUET Exam
- CUET Age Limit
- CUET Subject-wise Eligibility Criteria 2026
- CUET 2026 Subject Selection Criteria
- CUET Eligibility Criteria for Top Central Universities
- CUET Eligibility for Droppers and Repeaters
- CUET Eligibility Criteria for Foreign and NRI Candidates
- CUET Reservation Criteria
CUET Subject-wise Eligibility Criteria 2026
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) 2026 has different eligibility criteria for specific programs. For science students aiming to pursue courses like B.Sc. (Hons.) in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or related fields the subject-wise eligibility criteria are given below:
CUET 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Science Students
| Program | Required Subjects in Class 12 | Minimum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Physics | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Applied Mathematics | Minimum 30% score in any one language from List A in CUET. |
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Chemistry | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Applied Mathematics | Minimum 30% score in any one language from List A in CUET. |
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Biology | Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biological Studies/Biotechnology/Biochemistry | Minimum 30% score in any one language from List A in CUET. |
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Computer Science | Any one language from List A, Mathematics/Applied Mathematics, and any two subjects (one should be from List B1) | Merit based on CUET scores from the specified subject combination. |
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Environmental Science | Combination I: Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biological Studies/Biotechnology/Biochemistry; Combination II: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Applied Mathematics | Minimum 30% score in any one language from List A in CUET. |
CUET 2026 Subject-Wise Eligibility Criteria for Non-Science Students
| Program | Required Subjects in Class 12 | Minimum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| B.A. (Hons.) Political Science | Any one language from List A, plus any three subjects from the domain-specific list. | Minimum 50% marks in Class 12 for General category; 45% for SC/ST candidates. |
| B.A. (Hons.) Sociology | Any one language from List A, plus any three subjects from the domain-specific list. | Minimum 50% marks in Class 12 for General category; 45% for SC/ST candidates. |
| B.A. (Hons.) Social Work | Any one language from List A, plus any three subjects from the domain-specific list. | Minimum 50% marks in Class 12 for General category; 45% for SC/ST candidates. |
| B.Com. (Hons.) | Mathematics/Applied Mathematics, Accountancy, Economics/Business Economics | Minimum 50% marks in Class 12 for General category; 45% for SC/ST candidates. |
| B.B.A. | Any one language from List A, plus any three subjects from the domain-specific list. | Minimum 50% marks in Class 12 for General category; 45% for SC/ST candidates. |
| B.C.A. | Mathematics/Applied Mathematics | Minimum 50% marks in Class 12 for General category; 45% for SC/ST candidates. |
| B.A. (Hons.) Economics | Mathematics/Applied Mathematics | Minimum 50% marks in Class 12 for General category; 45% for SC/ST candidates. |
| B.A. (Hons.) English | English from List A, plus any three subjects from the domain-specific list. | Minimum 50% marks in Class 12 for General category; 45% for SC/ST candidates. |
| B.A. (Hons.) History | Any one language from List A, plus any three subjects from the domain-specific list. | Minimum 50% marks in Class 12 for General category; 45% for SC/ST candidates. |
| B.A. (Hons.) Geography | Any one language from List A, plus any three subjects from the domain-specific list. | Minimum 50% marks in Class 12 for General category; 45% for SC/ST candidates. |
CUET 2026 Subject Selection Criteria
As per the guidelines, a candidate can choose a total of five subjects for the CUET exam 2026.
- Some Courses in the CUET exam require the selection of specific subjects. Students must check the university guidelines before selecting the subject. For example, a B.Sc in Physics requires Physics and Mathematics as mandatory subjects.
- Different universities have varied requirements related to the number of subjects. For example, Delhi University (DU) requires 4-5 subjects for some courses, while Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) allows 3-4 subjects.
Minimum & Maximum Number of Subjects in CUET 2026
| Category | Minimum Subjects Allowed | Maximum Subjects Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| General Candidates | 3 Subjects | 6 Subjects |
| Special Cases (As per University Criteria) | 1-2 Subjects | 7 Subjects |
CUET Eligibility Criteria for Top Central Universities
Top Central Universities in CUET have different eligibility criteria for admissions into their undergraduate programs. Given below are some top central Universities with their eligibility criteria:
| University | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | 10+2 or equivalent with a minimum of 50% marks (General/OBC) and 45% marks (SC/ST/PwD) in the Science stream. |
| Central University of Kerala | 10+2 or equivalent with at least 50% marks (General) and 45% marks (SC/ST/PwD). |
| Pondicherry University | 10+2 or equivalent with a minimum of 50% marks (General) and 45% marks (SC/ST/PwD). |
| Central University of Jharkhand | 10+2 or equivalent with at least 50% marks (General) and 45% marks (SC/ST/PwD) in Science stream. Preference given to candidates with Mathematics. |
| Central University of Karnataka | 10+2 or equivalent with at least 50% marks (General) and 45% marks (SC/ST/PwD) with Biology, Mathematics, and Chemistry as subjects. |
| Central University of Kashmir | 10+2 or equivalent with at least 50% marks (General) and 45% marks (SC/ST/PwD) with Biology/Biotechnology/Biochemistry as one of the subjects. |
| Central University of Punjab | 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology with at least 50% marks (General) and 45% marks (SC/ST/PwD). |
| Central University of Rajasthan | 10+2 or equivalent with Biology, Physics, and Chemistry with at least 50% marks (General) and 45% marks (SC/ST/PwD). |
| Central University of South Bihar | 10+2 or equivalent in any stream with at least 50% marks (General) and 45% marks (SC/ST/PwD). |
| Central University of Haryana | 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology with at least 50% marks (General) and 45% marks (SC/ST/PwD). |
| Central University of Himachal Pradesh | 10+2 or equivalent in any stream with at least 50% marks (General) and 45% marks (SC/ST/PwD). |
| Central University of Gujarat | 10+2 or equivalent with Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics/Biology with at least 50% marks (General) and 45% marks (SC/ST/PwD). |
| Central University of Odisha | Bachelor's degree in any discipline with at least 50% marks (General) and 45% marks (SC/ST/PwD). |
| Central University of Tamil Nadu | 10+2 or equivalent with Mathematics and Physics with at least 50% marks (General) and 45% marks (SC/ST/PwD). |
| Central University of Tripura | 10+2 or equivalent with Mathematics and Physics with at least 50% marks (General) and 45% marks (SC/ST/PwD). |
CUET Eligibility for Droppers and Repeaters
The eligibility criteria decided by the National Testing Agency for droppers and repeaters are the same as the criteria for general admission. The droppers are those students who have taken a break after their 12th examination and are appearing after the gap year, while the repeaters are those who have already taken the exam once but wish to take the exam again for a better score or to get admission in their dream college.
Can a 12th Fail student apply for the CUET exam?
No, a 12th failed student cannot apply for CUET because passing 10+2 or an equivalent exam from a recognized board is a mandatory eligibility criterion for admission to top central universities.
CUET Eligibility Requirement Regarding 10+2 Qualification:
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Candidates must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) from a recognized board. |
| Students who have pending results | Students appearing for Class 12 exams in 2026 can apply, but they must pass before admission. |
| Fail in Class 12 | Not eligible to apply until they clear their exams. |
| Compartment Cases | Candidates with compartment subjects must clear them before admission. |
CUET Eligibility Criteria for Foreign and NRI Candidates
The CUET eligibility criteria for NRI and foreign candidates are mentioned in the table below:
| Criteria | NRI Students | Foreign Students |
|---|---|---|
| Quota Availability | Some universities offer NRI quota seats during admission. | Foreign students may have supernumerary (extra) seats in some universities. |
| Fee Structure | NRIs may have higher tuition fees than Indian residents. | Foreign students often pay higher international student fees. |
| Admission Process | May need to apply under NRI category if the university allows direct admission. | Some universities offer direct admission without CUET for foreign students. |
CUET Reservation Criteria
The reservation in the CUET exam is given to the candidates according to the norms decided by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The candidates who are seeking admission under reservation will be required to submit mandatory documents such as a Caste Certificate, PWD certificate, Income certificate, etc. The category-wise reservation percentage available is given below:
| Category | Reservation (%) |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes | 15 |
| Scheduled Tribes | 7.5 |
| Other Backward Classes | 27% |
| PWD | 5% |
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.
Ask your question
Answered Questions
a
M
Normalised score or normalization of score in CUET refers to a technique to compare applicant scores uniformly across test sessions. This process is necessary to keep CUET(conducted over multiple days and sessions with various sets of questions) fair to all test-takers.
For this purpose, CUET scores are given in percentiles rather than raw scores. A percentile score of 95, for instance, means that 95% of the applicants performed at a level that was lower or equal to that of the candidate.
Also note that CUET UG Retest 2024 was held on July 19, for the candidates who have been affected by the CBT mode issue and lodged a complaint within July 9. You can expect that the final percentiles and results will be normalised to ensure fairness.
...Show More
a
S
Parth, Student at Christ University
Yes, Christ University accepts CUET scores for UG admission into all its campuses in India. The eligibility criteria for CUET UG is that the candidates must pass their 12th in any stream from a recognized board in India or Abroad. The CUET 2024 exam was conducted by NTA from May 15 to May 24 2024, in hybrid mode.
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a
BP
Priya, student at Fergusson College
No, Fergusson College does not accept CUET scores for admissions. Fergusson College offers various UG, PG, and Doctoral courses in Arts and Science streams like- BA, BSc, BVoc, MA, MSc, and PhD.
The Fergusson College UG admission 2024 was based on merit, and it was completely online. The UG admission 2024 in Fergusson College was based on the academic scores of candidates in class 12th.
Candidates who are willing to take admission must apply online through the official website of Fergusson College. PG admission in Fergusson is based on the results of the entrance test conducted by the college.
Here are the important dates for admission 2024 to various UG courses at Fergusson College-
| Particulars | Important Dates (Admissions Closed) |
|---|---|
| Availability of Online Application Form | May 21, 2024 |
| Last day of Filling Application Form | May 30, 2024 |
| Display of Provisional Merit List | June 1, 2024 |
| Display of Final Merit List | June 4, 2024 |
| Admission dates for Arts subjects | June 7 - June 8, 2024 |
| Admission dates for Science & B.Voc subjects | June 7, 2024 |
*The 2024 UG admissions at Fergusson College have already closed.
The UG admissions 2024 are already closed, but I hope this answer will give you a basic idea of the general UG admission dates and requirements at Fergusson College.
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a
SS
Dhruv, student at DU
Candidates must check the CUET UG courses list, which is available in PDF form at https://exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-UG/images/public-notice-for-cuet-ug-2024.pdf before applying for this exam. Candidates should also check the CUET eligibility criteria according to each course. After deciding upon their desired course, the candidates can practice for the CUET exam accordingly. The CUET 2024 exam was conducted for various UG courses in Humanities, Science, Engineering, and Commerce.
The CUET 2024 course list is given below:
| Arts | Science & Technology | Commerce | Others |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.A. in Humanities & Social Sciences | BSc in Physics/ Chemistry/ Maths/ Biology | BCom (Honors) | BBA LLB |
| B.A. in Arts (Fine/ Visual/ Performing) | BCA in Computer Science and Technology | BCom (General) | BHM in Hospitality & Travel |
| Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) | BTech CSE/ Mechanical/ Electrical/ Civil | BCom Business Administration. | BCA (IT and Software) |
| BA LLB | BE in ECE/ Electrical/ Mechanical/ Electronics Engineering | BCom Accounting and Taxation/ Statistics/ Management Accounting | BSc in Hospitality & Travel |
| BA in Hospitality & Travel | BCom in International Finance/ Accounting/ Applied Economics/ Banking & Finance | Diploma in Education (DEd) | |
| BA in Animation | BCom Marketing | BDes in Animation | |
| BCom Tourism & Travel Management | BDes in Design | ||
| BSc in Design | |||
| Bachelor of Journalism & Mass Communication (BJMC) | |||
| Bachelor of Journalism (BJ) | |||
| Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM) | |||
| BBA/BMS |
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a
SC
Bhawna, student at University of Delhi
You can check the CUET cutoff on the official website of each participating college. After the declaration of the CUET result (which was declared on 30th June 2024 for this session), the participating colleges also released their respective CUET cutoff lists online.
The cutoffs of the participating colleges are based on the performance of the students and various other factors. So, you must check the cutoff list 2024 of the participating colleges online. After doing so, you will know the colleges to which you can seek admission.
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