The Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate courses (CUET-PG) has transformed postgraduate admissions in India by creating a single, transparent, and standardized admission process. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), CUET-PG is now the primary gateway to MSc, MA, MCom, MFA, and other postgraduate programmes offered by Central, State, Deemed, and participating Private Universities.
If you are planning to pursue higher education in science, humanities, commerce, or interdisciplinary fields, understanding CUET-PG exam pattern, eligibility, syllabus, passing marks, and admission process is crucial. This article provides a complete, guide to CUET-PG 2026 for aspirants across India.
What is CUET-PG?
CUET-PG (Common University Entrance Test – Postgraduate) is a national-level entrance examination introduced to replace multiple individual university entrance tests. Its primary goal is to ensure equal opportunity, merit-based selection, and nationwide standardization for postgraduate admissions.
CUET-PG scores are accepted by:
Central Universities
Many State Universities
Deemed-to-be Universities
Select Private Universities
The exam covers a wide range of subjects including Botany, Biotechnology, Zoology, Life Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, English, History, Economics, Political Science, Commerce, and many more.
Why CUET-PG is Important for PG Aspirants
Before CUET-PG, students had to appear for multiple entrance exams conducted by different universities. CUET-PG simplifies this by offering:
A single national exam for multiple universities
Reduced financial and travel burden
Uniform evaluation standards
Transparent merit-based admissions
For students from rural or economically weaker backgrounds, CUET-PG provides a level playing field.
CUET-PG 2025 Exam Overview
Here is a quick overview of CUET-PG:
Exam Name: Common University Entrance Test – PG
Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
Mode of Exam: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Level: National
Courses Offered: MSc, MA, MCom, MFA, and other PG programmes
CUET-PG Exam Pattern 2025
Understanding the exam pattern is the first step toward effective preparation.
Key Features of CUET-PG Exam Pattern
Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test)
Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Total Questions: 75
Total Marks: 300
Exam Duration: 90 to 105 minutes (subject-specific)
Marking Scheme
Correct Answer: +4 marks
Incorrect Answer: –1 mark
Unattempted Question: 0 mark
The questions are designed to test conceptual clarity, subject knowledge, and analytical ability.
CUET-PG Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject from a recognized university.
Final-year undergraduate students are also eligible to apply.
Minimum Marks Requirement
General category: Usually 50–55% in graduation
OBC/EWS: Around 45–50%
SC/ST/PwD: Around 40–45%
(Exact eligibility criteria may vary depending on the university and course.)
CUET-PG Age Limit
One of the major advantages of CUET-PG is that there is no upper age limit. Candidates of any age can apply as long as they meet the academic eligibility criteria specified by the participating universities.
CUET-PG Syllabus
The CUET-PG syllabus is subject-specific and largely based on undergraduate-level concepts.
Examples:
Botany / Zoology / Life Sciences: Cell biology, genetics, ecology, plant physiology, biotechnology basics
Chemistry: Physical, organic, and inorganic chemistry
Physics: Mechanics, electricity, magnetism, quantum physics
Humanities: Core disciplinary concepts, theories, and applications
Candidates should refer to the official NTA syllabus for their respective subjects and also review undergraduate textbooks thoroughly.
CUET-PG Passing Marks & Cut-Offs
There is no fixed passing mark in CUET-PG. Admission depends on university-wise cut-offs, which vary each year based on:
Number of applicants
Difficulty level of the exam
Seat availability
Reservation policies
Expected Qualifying Range (Approximate)
General: 45–50%
OBC/EWS: 40–45%
SC/ST/PwD: 35–40%
Scoring higher than the minimum qualifying range significantly improves your chances of admission to top-ranked universities.
CUET-PG Result & Score Validity
CUET-PG results are declared online on the official NTA website.
The score is generally valid for one academic year.
Candidates can use the same score to apply to multiple universities.
CUET-PG Counselling & Admission Process
Unlike centralized counselling systems, CUET-PG follows a decentralized admission process.
Steps Involved:
Appear for CUET-PG exam
Download scorecard
Apply separately to participating universities
Universities release merit lists / cut-offs
Document verification and admission
Each university conducts its own counselling based on CUET-PG scores.
Top Universities Accepting CUET-PG Scores
| # | University Name | State / UT | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Delhi | Delhi | du.ac.in |
| 2 | Jawaharlal Nehru University | Delhi | jnu.ac.in |
| 3 | Jamia Millia Islamia | Delhi | jmi.ac.in |
| 4 | Banaras Hindu University | Uttar Pradesh | bhu.ac.in |
| 5 | Aligarh Muslim University | Uttar Pradesh | amu.ac.in |
| 6 | Lucknow University | Uttar Pradesh | lkouniv.ac.in |
| 7 | Allahabad University | Uttar Pradesh | allduniv.ac.in |
| 8 | University of Mumbai | Maharashtra | mu.ac.in |
| 9 | Savitribai Phule Pune University | Maharashtra | unipune.ac.in |
| 10 | Nagpur University | Maharashtra | nagpuruniversity.ac.in |
| 11 | University of Calcutta | West Bengal | caluniv.ac.in |
| 12 | Jadavpur University | West Bengal | jdvu.ac.in |
| 13 | Presidency University | West Bengal | presiuniv.ac.in |
| 14 | North Bengal University | West Bengal | nbu.ac.in |
| 15 | Anna University | Tamil Nadu | annauniv.edu |
| 16 | University of Madras | Tamil Nadu | unom.ac.in |
| 17 | Bharathiar University | Tamil Nadu | b-u.ac.in |
| 18 | Madurai Kamaraj University | Tamil Nadu | mkuniversity.ac.in |
| 19 | Indian Institute of Science | Karnataka | iisc.ac.in |
| 20 | Bangalore University | Karnataka | bangaloreuniversity.ac.in |
| 21 | Mysore University | Karnataka | uni-mysore.ac.in |
| 22 | University of Hyderabad | Telangana | uohyd.ac.in |
| 23 | Osmania University | Telangana | osmania.ac.in |
| 24 | Kakatiya University | Telangana | kakatiya.ac.in |
| 25 | University of Kerala | Kerala | keralauniversity.ac.in |
| 26 | Cochin University of Science & Technology | Kerala | cusat.ac.in |
| 27 | Mahatma Gandhi University | Kerala | mgu.ac.in |
| 28 | Gauhati University | Assam | gauhati.ac.in |
| 29 | Tezpur University | Assam | tezu.ernet.in |
| 30 | Utkal University | Odisha | utkaluniversity.ac.in |
| 31 | Sambalpur University | Odisha | suniv.ac.in |
| 32 | Patna University | Bihar | patnauniversity.ac.in |
| 33 | Magadh University | Bihar | magadhuniversity.ac.in |
| 34 | University of Rajasthan | Rajasthan | uniraj.ac.in |
| 35 | Mohanlal Sukhadia University | Rajasthan | mlsu.ac.in |
| 36 | Panjab University | Chandigarh | puchd.ac.in |
| 37 | Pondicherry University | Puducherry | pondiuni.edu.in |
Some of the most reputed universities accepting CUET-PG include:
University of Delhi
Banaras Hindu University
Jawaharlal Nehru University
University of Hyderabad
Jadavpur University
University of Calcutta
Jamia Millia Islamia
Pondicherry University
Aligarh Muslim University
Admission to these institutions is highly competitive, and higher CUET-PG scores are essential.
CUET-PG Preparation Strategy
1. Understand the Syllabus Thoroughly
Stick to undergraduate textbooks and official syllabus topics.
2. Practice MCQs Regularly
Solving previous year questions helps in understanding exam trends.
3. Focus on Time Management
Since the exam is time-bound, practice full-length mock tests.
4. Revise Conceptually
CUET-PG emphasizes conceptual clarity rather than rote memorization.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in CUET-PG
Ignoring negative marking
Not checking university-specific eligibility
Relying only on coaching material
Skipping mock tests
Avoiding these mistakes can significantly improve performance.
CUET-PG vs Traditional PG Entrance Exams
CUET-PG has largely replaced traditional university-level entrance tests, offering:
Uniform difficulty level
Nationwide recognition
Reduced exam stress
However, competition has increased due to a larger applicant pool.
Career Opportunities After CUET-PG
Depending on the course, CUET-PG opens doors to:
Research and PhD programmes
Teaching and academia
Government examinations
Corporate and industry roles
Environmental, biotech, and healthcare sectors
Conclusion
CUET-PG 2025 is more than just an entrance exam—it is a gateway to quality postgraduate education in India. Success in CUET-PG depends on conceptual clarity, consistent preparation, and strategic planning.
Instead of aiming only to qualify, aspirants should aim to score well above the cut-off to secure admission in top universities. With proper guidance and focused preparation, CUET-PG can be the stepping stone to a successful academic and professional future.
