CUET 2026: Eligibility Criteria, Subjects & Complete Exam Overview

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) has completely transformed undergraduate admissions in India. With CUET 2026 around the corner, you must be wondering if you’re eligible for the exam and which subjects you should choose.

If you’re a Class 12 student or drop-year aspirant, this guide will clear all doubts related to the CUET 2026 eligibility, subject list, exam eligibility criteria, and preparation strategy, all in one place.

Let’s break it down step by step.

What is CUET (UG)?

CUET (UG) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by NTA for admission into undergraduate programmes across Central Universities, State Universities, Deemed Universities, and Private Universities in India. Instead of multiple university-level exams, CUET provides a common exam, an equal opportunity for students from all boards, and merit-based admissions through a standardised test.

CUET 2026 will continue this structure with domain subjects, a language, and a general test. This makes eligibility and subject selection extremely important.

CUET Exam Eligibility Criteria

Before you choose the subjects or start your preparation, it is crucial to understand the CUET exam eligibility criteria. Students who have cleared the Class 12 board exam or are appearing for it in 2026 are eligible to apply for the exam. However, there’s no age limit for it. CUET accepts students from all recognised boards, including CBSE, ICSE, State Boards, and NIOS. Additionally, students from all streams (Science, Commerce, and Humanities) can appear for the CUET exam.

The eligibility also depends on the subjects you chose in Class 12, the requirements of the course you wish to opt for, and the criteria for marks, if specified by the university you aim to seek admission in. Though NTA sets the exam rules, universities decide course-specific eligibility.

Read More - Has NTA Made Any Changes In CUET Syllabus 2026?

Stream-Wise Breakdown for CUET 2026 Eligibility

Science Students

If you had Science in Class 12, you’re eligible for the following courses:

• B. Sc., which includes the subjects Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology 

• Engineering-related UG programmes (as per university norms)

• Life Sciences, Environmental Science, etc.

It’s important to note that the domain subjects must match Class 12 subjects.

Commerce Students

As a Commerce student, you’re eligible for courses such as

• B.Com (Hons)

• BBA

• Economics

• Management-related programmes

Mathematics may be compulsory for some universities.

Arts/Humanities Students

Arts/Humanities students are eligible for programmes like

• BA Hons. in subjects like History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, etc.

• Journalism

• Liberal Arts

• Social Sciences

Ensure that you check the university-specific criteria before applying because subject mapping is important.

CUET 2026 Subjects Explained

All students search for the CUET 2026 subjects, and rightly so. Subject choice directly affects the college you get into and course eligibility. Let’s dive deeper into the subjects you can expect to encounter in the exam. CUET subjects are divided into three sections:

Section I: Language Subjects

You can choose one or more languages. These include English, Hindi, as well as regional and foreign languages. This section also tests your reading comprehension skills, grammar, and vocabulary. Most students choose English as their language option. If you choose the same, you must be aware of the types of questions that can be asked in the exam.

Section II: Domain Subjects

This section forms the core of CUET. Here’s the domain-specific CUET subject list 2026 for you to choose the subjects as per your convenience:

• Physics

• Chemistry

• Mathematics

• Biology

• Accountancy

• Business Studies

• Economics

• History

• Geography

• Political Science

• Psychology

• Sociology

• Computer Science

• Physical Education

• Legal Studies

• Entrepreneurship
  (and more)

Before you make a choice, remember that you can select only those domain subjects that you studied in Class 12.

Section III: General Test

The General Test is optional but extremely important for some courses. These include the following:

• BBA

• BMS

• Integrated programmes

• Liberal Arts

The General Test syllabus covers Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, General Awareness, and Current Affairs. Referring to a general test CUET book and attempting a CUET general test mock test are highly recommended to score well here.

How Many Subjects Can You Choose in CUET 2026?

For the CUET 2026 exam, you can choose up to 3 languages and 6 domain-specific subjects. The general test is not compulsory for all candidates. It’s required only when the course or university you choose demands it. The ultimate subject selection depends on the course and university requirements.

CUET Subject Selection Strategy (Smart Tip)

Instead of randomly selecting subjects, here;s what you should do:

1. Shortlist your target universities

2. Check course-wise subject mapping

3. Choose the maximum overlapping subjects

4. Include the General Test if applicable

This strategy improves your eligibility and admission chances.

CUET Preparation: Why Question Banks Matter

CUET is not just about knowing concepts—it’s about applying them in MCQ format under time pressure. That’s where a reliable CUET question bank becomes essential.

Recommended Resource: Oswaal Books’ CUET (UG) Question Bank

To prepare strategically for CUET 2026, aspirants need a resource that is NTA-aligned, competency-focused, and practice-driven.

Key Features of Oswaal CUET (UG) Question Bank

• Concise, NCERT-aligned revision notes prepared as per the latest NTA guidelines for faster learning and easy revision

• 300+ to 900+ practice questions (varying by subject) designed at actual CUET difficulty

• Competency-based practice, including Assertion–Reason, Case-Based, Statement, Matching & Analytical questions—exactly as asked in CUET

• Chapter-wise Mind Maps for quick recall of key concepts, formulas, and linked videos

• Includes practice papers and the latest solved CUET papers for the complete exam

Benefits of Using Oswaal CUET Question Bank

Concept Building

Chapter-wise revision notes are designed to create crystal-clear conceptual understanding, especially for NCERT-based questions.

Structured & Simplified Learning

With chapter-wise notes, mind maps, and concept videos, you can revise faster without feeling overwhelmed.

Practice Like the Real Exam

• 800+ PYQs

• 2 Practice Papers

• All MCQ formats, including Assertion–Reason and Case-Based questions

This mirrors the real CUET exam pattern closely.

Smart Practice with AI Support

AI-driven practice helps:

• Identify weak areas

• Focus on learning gaps

• Improve exam readiness efficiently

It’s perfect for you if you’re preparing alongside boards.

NCERT-Perfect & Competency-Focused

• Fully NCERT-aligned content

• 400+ competency-based questions

• Ideal for students from all boards

Conceptual Clarity Increases Confidence

Detailed solutions and answer keys ensure students don’t just memorise answers, but understand the concepts, apply them, and clear CUET.

Role of Sample Papers & Mock Tests in CUET 2026

Practicing with NTA CUET sample paper books and CUET general test mock test papers helps you

• Understand question trends

• Improve speed & accuracy

• Reduce exam anxiety

• Master time management

Mock tests convert preparation into performance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in CUET 2026

• Choosing subjects not studied in Class 12

• Ignoring General Test when required

• Relying only on theory, not MCQs

• Skipping PYQs

• Not checking university-specific eligibility

Avoiding these mistakes can significantly improve your admission chances.

Final Words: Plan Early, Prepare Smart

Understanding CUET 2026 eligibility & subjects is the first step towards securing admission to your dream university.

To summarise:

• CUET eligibility depends on Class 12 subjects and university criteria

• Subject selection must be strategic, not random

• NCERT-based, competency-focused practice is essential

• A reliable CUET question bank and mock tests can make all the difference

With structured preparation and trusted resources like Oswaal Books’ CUET (UG) Question Bank, you can move confidently from concepts to the campus of a reputed college.