• Updated on 3 Mar, 2026 by Ankita Banerjee
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CUET Eligibility Criteria 2026 includes the academic qualification requirement, age limit and university and course-wise requirements. NTA will conduct the CUET 2026 Exam from May 11 to 31, 2026. NTA has already prescribed the eligibility criteria for CUET 2026 candidates on its official website. The participating candidate must possess all the required eligibility criteria.
Following the CUET Eligibility Criteria 2026, candidates must be citizens of India and must have completed their 10+2 examinations with the required percentage of marks from a recognised board. The General category candidates must have acquired 50% of marks, whereas the Reserved category candidates must have scored at least 45% of marks.
CUET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Highlights
Refer to the table given below to understand all key details related to the CUET Eligibility Criteria 2026. Candidates must have passed 10+2 or equivalent to appear for CUET 2026 exam.
CUET Eligibility Criteria 2026
To apply for the CUET 2026, candidates must have passed their 10+2 examinations with a minimum percentage from a recognised board. Age is not a restricting factor for applying for the CUET 2026.
Read here to know more about the detailed CUET Eligibility Criteria 2026
Academic Qualifications
- Candidates must have passed their 10+2 or equivalent examinations from a recognised board.
- Candidates who are appearing for their 10+2 or equivalent examinations can also appear for the CUET 2026 Exams.
- The candidate must score a minimum qualifying mark in their 10+2 or equivalent examinations. The General category candidates must have scored 50% of marks in their 10+2 or equivalent examinations, whereas the SC/ST category candidates must have acquired 45% of marks in their examinations.
Nationality
- CUET 2026 is open to Indian nationals.
- Non-resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) candidates are also eligible.
- Foreign nationals may apply, subject to individual university rules.
Age Criteria
- There is no age limit to appear for the CUET 2026 Exam.
CUET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit & Number of Attempts
NTA has not set a limit for candidates to appear for the CUET Exam. The candidates can appear for CUET Exams as many times as they wish to do so, but they must fall in the required eligibility criteria. The CUET Exam is conducted annually by the National Test Agency. Also, there is no restriction on the candidate’s age; candidates of any age can appear for the CUET 2026 Exam as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.
Also Check: CUET 2026 Application Process
CUET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Institution-wise
CUET 2026 participating institutions have set their own eligibility criteria for admission through CUET 2026. Top central, state, private, government, and deemed universities will be accepting CUET 2026 for their admission. Here is the list of top CUET 2026 participating institutions with their own eligibility criteria:
CUET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Reservation Policy
The government has introduced the Reservation Policy in India, which must be followed by the universities. According to the Reservation Policy, the universities must secure a certain number of seats or give more privileges to the Reserved Categories. Like the reserved categories, candidates are exempted by 5% or more than 5% in the qualifying percentage. The candidates who are applying for admission through CUET 2026 must check the CUET reservation policy of each university. The candidate may refer to the table below to understand the CUET 2026 Reservation Policy:
CUET Eligibility Criteria 2026 FAQs
What is the age limit for CUET 2026?
No upper or lower age limit applies for CUET UG 2026; candidates of any age who passed or appear for Class 12 qualify. Universities may impose specific age rules during admission. Check individual university policies for program-specific restrictions, as NTA sets no general cap. This ensures broad access while respecting institutional norms.
What are the minimum qualifying marks for CUET 2026?
General category candidates need 50% aggregate in Class 12, while SC/ST/OBC/PwD require 45%. BTech programs demand 45% for General and 40% for reserved categories. Universities may set higher cutoffs; appearing students must submit passing proof later. These relaxations promote inclusivity per government guidelines.
Can Class 12 appearing students apply for CUET 2026?
Yes, students appearing for Class 12 in 2026 can apply for CUET UG, provided they pass before admission. They submit a declaration during registration and proof later. This accommodates current board examinees, but failure to pass disqualifies them from university seats. Verify with target universities for deadlines.
How many attempts are allowed in CUET 2026?
No limit on CUET attempts; candidates can appear multiple times if meeting Class 12 criteria each year. Universities handle admission rules separately. This flexibility suits repeaters improving scores, but check program-specific policies. NTA focuses on eligibility per exam cycle.
What is the educational qualification for CUET 2026?
Passed or appearing Class 12/equivalent from recognized boards like CBSE, state boards, NIOS, IB, or AIU-approved foreign exams qualify candidates. Vocational, pre-university, or NDA certificates also work. Subjects must align with chosen CUET papers and university courses. Ensure equivalence certification if needed.
Who is eligible in terms of nationality for CUET 2026?
Indian nationals can easily apply for CUET exam 2026. OCI/NRI may apply per university rules. Foreign nationals need AIU equivalence. This follows government residency norms.
What are the CUET 2026 reservation criteria?
Reservations include 10% GEN-EWS, 27% OBC-NCL, 15% SC, 7.5% ST, and 5% PwD, per Government of India rules. Central universities follow their policies; upload valid certificates issued post-January 2026. Declarations allowed if unavailable at registration. Categories ensure equitable access.
Can NIOS students apply for CUET 2026?
Yes, NIOS senior secondary passers or appearers with five subjects qualify, treated as equivalent to Class 12. Other open schooling boards work similarly. Align CUET subjects with NIOS studies for university eligibility. This broadens opportunities for flexible learners nationwide.
What subjects are required for CUET 2026 eligibility?
CUET subjects need not strictly match Class 12 but should relate to applied programs; universities specify combinations like Language + Maths + two subjects for BCom. Recent changes allow flexibility across streams. Check NTA lists and university brochures for course mapping. Proper selection avoids disqualification.
Is there a minimum percentage for CUET 2026 admission?
CUET itself has no fixed cutoff; universities set 50% (General)/45% (reserved) in Class 12 as baseline, varying by course like higher for honors. NTA scores determine merit post-results. Appearing students prove marks at counseling. Tailor preparation to target university thresholds.
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