What is CUET PG?
CUET PG is a standardized entrance test designed to assess candidates’ suitability for postgraduate programs, including master’s degrees (e.g., MA, MSc, MCom, MBA, MTech, LLB, Bed, MAJMC,) and postgraduate diplomas offered by participating universities. It was formerly known as the “Central Universities Common Entrance Test (CUCET)”, which began in 2010 for seven central universities and expanded significantly after the NTA took over its administration in 2021. The exam aims to ensure fairness, transparency, and accessibility in the admission process by providing a common platform for students from diverse educational backgrounds.

Key Objectives:-
- Unified Admission Process: Allows candidates to apply to multiple universities with a single exam, saving time and effort.
- Standardized Evaluation: Ensures consistent assessment across institutions, reducing reliance on varying board marks or university-specific tests.
- Accessibility: Conducted in over 300 cities in India and 24 abroad, making it accessible to a wide range of candidates.
- Diverse Programs: Covers a broad spectrum of disciplines, including humanities, sciences, commerce, engineering, and education.

CUET PG is conducted annually, typically in March, in “Computer-Based Test (CBT)” mode, and is offered in bilingual format (English and Hindi, except for specific language or subject papers).

Exam Structure and Pattern
The CUET PG exam is designed to evaluate candidates’ subject knowledge, general aptitude, and analytical skills. The structure for 2025 is as follows:
- Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test).
- Duration: 90 minutes.
- Number of Questions: 75 multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
- Marking Scheme:
- +4 marks for each correct answer.
- -1 mark for each incorrect answer (negative marking).
- No marks for unanswered questions.
- Sections (for most papers):
- Section A: General aptitude (e.g., language comprehension, quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, general awareness).
- Section B: Subject-specific questions.
- Exception: Papers like PGQP38 (LLB) and PGQP40 (MBA) have only one section with 75 questions.
- Test Papers: Over 72 test paper codes, each corresponding to specific courses or disciplines (e.g., COQP01 for Agribusiness Management, COQP03 for BEd, PGQP17 for MA/MSc Geography).
- Shifts: Conducted in three shifts per day (e.g., 9:00 AM–10:45 AM, 12:45 PM–2:30 PM, 4:30 PM–6:30 PM).
-Medium: Bilingual (English and Hindi), except for language-specific papers (e.g., Hindi, Tamil) or technical subjects like MTech, which are in English only.
Candidates can choose up to four “question paper codes”, allowing them to apply for multiple programs or universities based on their qualifications and interests.

Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for CUET PG varies by program and university but generally includes:
- Educational Qualification: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field from a recognized institution.
- Minimum marks: Typically 50–55% for General/EWS, with relaxations (5%) for SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)/PwD candidates, depending on the university.
- Age Limit: No age limit for CUET PG, making it accessible to all eligible candidates.
- Specific Requirements: Some programs (e.g., MTech, MBA) may require additional qualifications like GATE scores or specific undergraduate degrees. Candidates must check the university-specific eligibility on the official CUET PG portal (pgcuet.samarth.ac.in).
- PwD Category: Candidates with a disability of 40% or more, including leprosy-cured individuals or those with writing difficulties, are eligible for concessions (e.g., scribe, extra time).
Candidates should verify program-specific requirements, as participating universities may have additional criteria.

Syllabus
The CUET PG syllabus is tailored to each test paper code and includes:
- Section A (General): Covers language comprehension, verbal ability, quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and general awareness. It is based on undergraduate-level knowledge and aligns with NCERT or equivalent standards.
- Section B (Subject-Specific): Focuses on the candidate’s chosen discipline (e.g., History, Physics, Economics). The syllabus is typically based on undergraduate curricula relevant to the postgraduate program.
- Examples:
- COQP03 (BEd)**: Teaching aptitude, educational psychology, general knowledge.
- PGQP17 (MA/MSc Geography)**: Human geography, physical geography, cartography.
- ACQP24 (Vedanta, Nyaya, etc.)**: Indian philosophy, classical texts.
- The detailed syllabus for each paper code is available on the NTA CUET PG website (pgcuet.samarth.ac.in).
Candidates are advised to refer to previous years’ question papers and the official syllabus to understand the exam’s scope and question types.

Application Process
The application process for CUET PG is fully online and conducted through the official website (pgcuet.samarth.ac.in). Key steps include:
1. Registration:
- Visit the official portal and register using personal details (name, email, phone number).
- Generate an application number and password.
2. Filling the Application Form:
- Provide personal information, educational qualifications, and preferred exam cities.
- Select up to four test paper codes corresponding to desired programs/universities.
3. Uploading Documents:
- Recent passport-sized photograph (10–200 KB, JPG/JPEG).
- Signature (4–30 KB, JPG/JPEG).
- PwD certificate, if applicable.
4. Payment of Application Fee:
- Varies by category and number of papers:
- General/OBC: Rs. 800 (1 paper), Rs. 1,200 (2 papers).
- SC/ST/PwD: Rs. 400 (1 paper), Rs. 600 (2 papers).
- NRI/Foreign Nationals: Varies by university.
- Payment modes: Net banking, credit/debit card, UPI.
5. Submission and Confirmation:
- Review all details, submit the form, and download the confirmation page for records.
Important Dates for CUET PG 2026 (tentative, based on 2025 trends):
- Notification Release: December 2025.
- Application Window: January–February 2026.
- Exam Dates: March 13–April 1, 2026.|
- Admit Card Release: Early March 2026.
- Result Declaration: April 2026.
Candidates should regularly check pgcuet.samarth.ac.in for updates.

Participating Universities
CUET PG is accepted by over 197 universities, including:
- “Central Universities”: Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
- State Universities: Various state institutions across India.
- Deemed and Private Universities: Institutions like K.R. Mangalam University, Gurugram.
-Other Institutions: Autonomous colleges and organizations recognized by UGC.
Each university releases its own cutoff lists and merit lists based on CUET PG s
ores. A detailed list of participating institutions is available on the CUET PG portal.

Result and Counselling
- Result Declaration: CUET PG 2026 results are expected in April 2026, accessible via cuetug.ntaonline.in using the application number and date of birth/password. The scorecard includes:
- Subject-wise scores.
- Overall score (out of 300).
- Rank and qualifying status.
- Counselling: Conducted separately by each participating university. Candidates must register for counselling, submit documents, and check merit lists on university websites. Spot rounds may be held for vacant seats.
- Cutoff: Varies by university, program, and category (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD candidates may have relaxed cutoffs).

Benefits of CUET PG
1. Single Exam, Multiple Universities: Apply to numerous institutions with one test, reducing the burden of multiple exams.
2. Fair and Transparent: Standardized testing ensures merit-based admissions across diverse boards.
3. Wide Range of Courses: Covers humanities, sciences, engineering, education, and more, catering to varied interests.
4. Accessibility for Reserved Categories: Relaxed eligibility criteria for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates (e.g., lower qualifying marks, fee concessions).
5. Global Reach: Exam centers abroad facilitate international applicants.

Preparation Tips
1. Understand the Syllabus: Download the subject-specific syllabus from the NTA website and focus on key areas.
2. Practice Previous Papers: Solve past years’ question papers to understand the exam pattern and question types.
3. Time Management: Practice solving 75 questions in 90 minutes to improve speed and accuracy.
4. Focus on Weak Areas: Analyze mock test performance to strengthen weaker sections.
5. Study Resources: Use standard textbooks (e.g., “A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy” by Chandradhar Sharma for Philosophy) and NTA-recommended materials.

Authentic Sources for Verification
For accurate and updated information, refer to:
- NTA CUET PG Portal: pgcuet.samarth.ac.in (notifications, syllabus, application details).
- NTA Website: www.nta.ac.in (exam updates, answer keys).
- University Websites: For program-specific eligibility and counselling details.
Always cross-check with these sources, as policies or dates may change. The 2026 notification is expected in December 2025.

Conclusion

CUET PG is a transformative exam that simplifies postgraduate admissions by offering a single, standardized test for a wide range of programs and universities. With its fair evaluation, accessibility, and extensive coverage, it benefits students from all backgrounds, including reserved categories through relaxed criteria and fee concessions. By preparing strategically and staying updated via official portals, candidates can leverage CUET PG to secure admission to prestigious institutions. For the latest details, regularly visit pgcuet.samarth.ac.in or www.nta.ac.in.