CUET UG 2026 Exam Day Guidelines: Dress Code, Exam Timings, and What to Carry
Content Curator | Updated On - May 14, 2026
CUET UG 2026 examination began on May 11, 2026, and it becomes important for over 15.68 lakh registered candidates to strictly follow the CUET exam day regulations to not be rejected at the gates of their test centre.
- For Slot 1, reporting time is 7:00 AM and gate closure is 8:30 AM, while in the case of Slot 2, reporting time is 1:00 PM and gate closure time is 2:30 PM.
- candidates wearing shoes or jewellery risk being turned away at the gate
- On the allowed items side, a printed admit card, original photo ID, a transparent ballpoint pen, and a passport-size photograph are mandatory
- On the prohibited items side, mobile phones, smartwatches, wallets, food, written material, and all electronic devices must stay home
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CUET Exam Day Guidelines 2026: Exam Timings and Shift Schedule
CUET UG 2026 exam timings are clearly mentioned on each candidate's admit card. The exam is conducted in two shifts per day to accommodate the large number of candidates.
- Slot 1 (Morning Shift): Reporting time is 7:00 AM, gate closing time is 8:30 AM
- Slot 2 (Afternoon Shift): Reporting time is 1:00 PM, gate closing time is 2:30 PM
- Gate closes exactly 30 minutes before exam start
- Candidates should ideally reach the CUET 2026 exam centre at least 90 minutes before the exam
| Shift | Reporting Time | Gate Closing Time | Exam Start Time | Exam End Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 (Morning) | 7:00 AM | 8:30 AM | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM (60 min) |
| Slot 2 (Afternoon) | 1:00 PM | 2:30 PM | 3:00 PM | 4:00 PM (60 min) |
Source: NTA CUET UG 2026 Admit Card and City Intimation Slip, cuet.nta.nic.in
CUET Dress Code 2026
The CUET 2026 dress code is one of the most important and most overlooked aspects of CUET UG exam day guidelines. In 2024, over 1,200 candidates could not appear for the exam solely because their clothing did not comply with NTA guidelines.
- Light-coloured, half-sleeved clothing is strongly recommended for all CUET UG 2026 candidates
- Full-sleeved shirts, jackets, hoodies, and layered clothing are not permitted
- Plain jeans are allowed at the CUET 2026 exam centre
- Frisking for female candidates is conducted by female NTA staff in a closed area
CUET Dress Code 2026 for Male Candidates
| Clothing Item | Allowed | Not Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Shirt / T-shirt | Light-coloured, half-sleeved | Full-sleeved hoodies, jackets |
| Trousers / Jeans | Plain, simple trousers; plain jeans | Jeans with metallic accessories or heavy embroidery |
| Footwear | Slippers or sandals with low heels | Shoes, boots, sneakers, or sports shoes |
| Accessories | None | Belts, chains, watches, bracelets, rings |
| Headwear | Not permitted (religious exceptions apply) | Caps, hats, scarves |
CUET Dress Code 2026 for Female Candidates
| Clothing Item | Allowed | Not Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Top / Kurti | Light-coloured, half-sleeved, no heavy work | Full-sleeved, jackets, embroidered heavy tops |
| Bottom | Simple leggings, salwar, or plain trousers | Heavy zari or metallic embroidered garments |
| Footwear | Low-heeled sandals or flat slippers | Shoes, high heels, boots |
| Jewellery | None | Earrings, nose rings, necklaces, bangles, bracelets |
| Hair Accessories | Simple fabric bands only | Metallic clips, pins, fancy bands |
| Headwear | Not permitted (religious exceptions apply) | Caps, scarves, decorative dupatta on head |
Things to Carry to the CUET Exam Centre 2026
Every CUET UG 2026 candidate must carry a specific set of documents and items to the exam centre. The CUET 2026 admit card is the primary identity and seat allocation document that the invigilator checks.
- The CUET admit card 2026 must be a printed hard copy on A4-size paper
- The photograph pasted on the admit card must match the one uploaded during CUET UG 2026 registration
- Candidates who registered using an ID other than Aadhaar must carry the original alternate ID and a duly signed/attested declaration form
- One passport-size photograph must be carried separately for pasting or verification purposes
| Item to Carry | Details |
|---|---|
| CUET UG 2026 Admit Card | Printed hard copy on A4 size paper |
| Valid Photo ID (Original) | Aadhaar card preferred; PAN, Passport, School ID also accepted |
| Passport-Size Photograph | Same photo as uploaded in CUET 2026 application form |
| Self-Declaration Undertaking | Hard copy on A4 size paper; downloaded from NTA website (for non-Aadhaar registrants) |
| Transparent Ballpoint Pen | For rough work or form-filling at the centre; body must be transparent, no labelling |
| Transparent Water Bottle | Plain, unlabelled; allowed at most centres |
| PwD Certificate (if applicable) | Original certificate; entitles candidate to 20-minute compensatory time |
Source: NTA CUET UG 2026 Official Guidelines, cuet.nta.nic.in
Things Not to Carry to the CUET Exam Centre 2026
The CUET 2026 prohibited items list is non-negotiable. Authorities at the CUET UG 2026 exam centre use highly sensitive metal detectors during mandatory frisking. No arrangement is made by NTA for storing personal belongings outside the exam centre
- Packed food items like chocolates, biscuits, and sandwiches are not allowed
- All electronic devices must stay at home which includes smartwatches, fitness bands, digital pens, and Bluetooth earphones, not just mobile phones
- Candidates wearing metallic ornaments will be asked to remove them or may be denied entry
| Category | Prohibited Items |
| Electronic Devices | Mobile phones, smartwatch, fitness band, Bluetooth earphones, pager, microphone, calculator, electronic pen/scanner |
| Written or Printed Material | Books, notes, paper chits, printed guides, study sheets |
| Stationery Items | Pencil, scale, geometry box, eraser, log table, pen drive, writing pad |
| Personal Accessories | Wallet, handbag, belt, goggles, camera, wristwatch (analog or digital) |
| Metallic Items and Jewellery | Rings, bangles, necklaces, earrings, nose rings, bracelets, metallic pins |
| Headwear | Caps, hats, scarves (except permitted religious attire) |
| Food and Beverages | Chocolates, sandwiches, biscuits, packed food; labelled bottles |
| Clothing Items | Jackets, hoodies, full-sleeved shirts, shoes, high heels, boots |
Source: NTA CUET UG 2026 Official Guidelines, cuet.nta.nic.in
Also Check
For official admit card download, exam dates, and CUET UG 2026 guidelines: cuet.nta.nic.in | NTA Helpdesk: 011-40759000 or 011-69227700
CUET UG 2026 Exam Day Guidelines FAQs
Ques. Are the dates of CUET UG exams going to be postponed in 2026?
Ans. Till May 6, 2026, there have been no updates from the NTA about any postponement of CUET UG exam dates 2026. The exam is scheduled to be conducted between May 11 to May 31, 2026, through CBT mode in 321 centers within India and 15 countries abroad.
Ques. Is it possible to get admission into DU through CUET with 300 marks?
Ans. The score of 300 marks that you scored in your CUET exam may help you gain admission to certain courses at DU, but for certain very selective courses from DU like BA Honours in Economics or BCom (Honours), you would require scores of more than 240 marks in the 100th percentile.
Ques. Are jeans allowed in CUET exam as a girl candidate?
Ans. Yes, jeans are allowed at the CUET UG 2026 exam center for female candidates. But jeans having metallic zip, embroidery, metallic buttons or any other accessory is not allowed because these items set off the metal detector while undergoing the frisking process. Ordinary jeans without any metallic work can be worn according to the CUET 2026 dress code prescribed by NTA.
Ques. Is scoring 700 marks a good score in CUET 2026?
Ans. Scoring 700 marks in CUET Undergraduate 2026 is excellent, especially for the arts and commerce stream. Taking into consideration that each paper in CUET UG has 250 marks, to score 700 marks in either 2 or 3 subjects means a candidate needs to have exceptional accuracy. Whether it is good or not depends upon the particular university and program.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.