CUET UG 2026 Begins From 11 May; Over 15.68 Lakh Candidates Registered Across 35 Shifts
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially announced the commencement of the Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate CUET (UG) 2026 from 11 May 2026. The examination will be conducted till 31 May 2026 in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across India and overseas centres.
According to the official press briefing note issued on 10 May 2026, CUET UG 2026 has emerged as one of the largest computer-based entrance examinations conducted globally due to the massive number of registrations and subject combinations.
Official Notice PDF:
CUET UG 2026 Press Briefing Note PDF
Official CUET Website:
CUET UG 2026 Examination Schedule
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | CUET UG 2026 |
| Conducting Agency | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Start Date | 11 May 2026 |
| Last Exam Date | 31 May 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Exam Window | 21 Days |
| Total Shifts | 35 Shifts |
More Than 15.68 Lakh Candidates Registered
NTA has informed that a total of:
15,68,866 Candidates
have registered for CUET UG 2026. Candidates were allowed flexibility to opt for up to five subjects each. This has generated approximately:
67,56,321 Test Instances
across:
12,906 Unique Subject Combinations
Candidates have opted for an average of 4.31 subjects each.
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar & Delhi Account for 43% Registrations
The official briefing note highlights that approximately:
6,74,352 Registrations
which is around:
43% of Total Registrations
originate from just three states:
- Uttar Pradesh
- Bihar
- Delhi
These states together generated around 29.93 lakh effective test instances across 9,922 subject combinations, creating high demand on CBT infrastructure.
CUET UG 2026 to Be Conducted Internationally
NTA has announced that CUET UG 2026 will not only be conducted across India but also at:
14 International Cities Across 13 Countries
Overseas Centres Include:
| Country/City | Location |
|---|---|
| UAE | Sharjah, Abu Dhabi |
| Saudi Arabia | Riyadh |
| Kuwait | Kuwait City |
| Nepal | Kathmandu |
| Qatar | Doha |
| Oman | Muscat |
| Bahrain | Manama |
| Singapore | Singapore |
| Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur |
| USA | Washington DC |
Most Opted Subjects in CUET UG 2026
NTA has also released details of the most preferred subjects chosen by candidates.
Top Subjects by Registration
| Subject | Registrations |
|---|---|
| English | 12.64 Lakh |
| Chemistry | 9.51 Lakh |
| Physics | 9.14 Lakh |
| General Aptitude Test | 9.12 Lakh |
| Mathematics/Applied Mathematics | 5.81 Lakh |
| Biology/Biotechnology | 5.56 Lakh |
City Allotment & Reallocation Update
NTA clarified that:
- 96.6% candidates received one of their preferred cities
- 79% candidates received their first-choice city
However, around 3.4% candidates were allotted centres outside their preferred cities due to limited CBT infrastructure in high-demand regions.
To address this issue, NTA opened a re-allocation window for affected candidates to select alternative available cities on a first-come-first-served basis.
CUET UG 2026 Exam Day Guidelines
NTA has already issued important exam-day instructions regarding:
- Dress code
- Reporting time
- Frisking process
- Allowed items
- Footwear guidelines
Candidates are advised to report at examination centres at least two hours before commencement of the examination. Entry gates will close 30 minutes before the examination.
Why CUET UG 2026 Is Significant
CUET UG has become the central gateway for undergraduate admissions in:
- Central Universities
- State Universities
- Deemed Universities
- Private Universities
- Other Participating Institutions
The examination now plays a crucial role in undergraduate admissions across India under the National Education Policy (NEP) framework.
Important Advice for Candidates
Candidates appearing in CUET UG 2026 should:
- Download admit card in advance
- Verify examination centre details carefully
- Reach examination centre early
- Carry valid photo ID and admit card
- Follow dress code and frisking rules strictly
Students are also advised to regularly visit the official website for latest notices, answer keys, response sheets, and result-related updates.
CUET UG 2026 Begins From 11 May; 15.68 Lakh Candidates to Appear Across 35 Shifts
- CUET UG 2026
- CUET UG Exam 2026
- NTA CUET UG 2026
- CUET UG Registration 2026
- CUET UG Candidates
- CUET UG Subject Combination
- CUET UG International Centres
- CUET UG Exam Schedule
- CUET UG Exam News
- CUET UG CBT Exam
- CUET UG Most Opted Subjects
- CUET UG City Allotment
- cuet.nta.nic.in
- CUET UG Latest Update
- CUET UG Press Briefing
Meta Description
NTA will begin CUET UG 2026 from 11 May 2026 in CBT mode. Over 15.68 lakh candidates have registered across 35 shifts and 12,906 subject combinations. Check exam schedule, statistics, international centres, and latest updates here.

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