Common University Entrance Test
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is a standardized national-level examination in India, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) under the Ministry of Education, to facilitate admissions to undergraduate (CUET-UG) and postgraduate (CUET-PG) programs in all central universities and over 250 participating institutions nationwide.[1][2][3] Launched for undergraduate admissions in 2022, CUET replaced disparate university-conducted entrance tests with a single-window system designed to enhance accessibility, particularly for candidates from rural and remote areas, by allowing application to multiple universities through one exam while normalizing evaluation criteria across diverse boards.[1][4][5] The test structure features a computer-based format with up to three sections—language proficiency (13 options), domain-specific subjects (29 for UG), and a general test covering aptitude, logical reasoning, and quantitative skills—enabling candidates to select subjects aligned with their intended programs, with eligibility requiring completion or appearance in class 12 for UG and a relevant bachelor's degree for PG.[6][7][8] While intended to promote merit-based equity and reduce coaching dependencies tied to board-specific advantages, CUET has faced persistent implementation hurdles, including multi-week delays in result declarations, technical server glitches and infrastructure shortcomings at exam centers, and errors in provisional answer keys affecting 30-40% of questions in some years, prompting student protests and calls for NTA reforms despite agency assurances of corrective measures like re-exams for affected candidates.[9][10][11][12]History
Inception and Policy Background
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) was formally announced by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in March 2022 as a standardized entrance examination for undergraduate admissions to all 45 central universities in India, effective from the 2022-23 academic year.[13] This marked a shift from the previous system, where admissions primarily relied on Class 12 board examination scores, which the UGC identified as problematic due to inconsistent marking practices across state and central boards—some awarding near-perfect scores to large proportions of students, thereby complicating merit-based selection.[14] The first CUET-UG was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) from July 15 to August 20, 2022, across over 500 cities in India and select international centers, covering admissions to participating institutions.[15] The policy impetus for CUET stemmed directly from the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, approved by the Union Cabinet on July 29, 2020, which advocated for a common national-level entrance test to streamline access to higher education and mitigate the "burden of multiple entrance exams" on students.[16] NEP 2020 emphasized equitable admissions by prioritizing aptitude over rote board marks, aiming to foster a unified framework that aligns with the policy's goals of multidisciplinary education and reduced affiliation with coaching-centric preparation.[17] UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar articulated that CUET would address inter-board disparities, where "some boards are very lenient in marking," ensuring a level playing field for students from diverse educational backgrounds, including those in remote areas who previously faced barriers due to localized admission processes.[18][14] Critics, including some state governments, argued that CUET centralizes authority over admissions, potentially undermining university autonomy and federal principles in education, as enshrined in the Indian Constitution's concurrent list.[19] However, proponents within the Ministry of Education maintained that the test aligns with NEP's vision of meritocracy without quotas for specific boards, while allowing institutions flexibility in weightage for domain-specific subjects.[20] Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan affirmed in April 2022 that CUET's rollout pursued NEP's directive for a "common principle for entrance examinations," explicitly rejecting reliance on board results alone to curb grade inflation and enhance national comparability.[21] This framework extended to postgraduate levels in subsequent years, with CUET-PG introduced in 2022 to parallel the UG model.[22]Initial Rollout and Early Years (2022–2023)
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for undergraduate programs was introduced by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in March 2022 as the sole criterion for admissions to all undergraduate programs in central universities for the 2022–2023 academic session.[23] [24] Registration opened on April 2, 2022, via the NTA's portal, attracting over 1.15 million candidates by May 2022.[25] [26] The inaugural CUET-UG was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in six phases from July 15 to August 30, 2022, across 489 centers in 259 Indian cities and 10 international locations.[23] The debut edition encountered significant operational challenges, including technical glitches such as server failures and question paper discrepancies on the first day, July 15, 2022.[27] [28] Exams were postponed at multiple centers due to these issues, with notifications issued on August 4, 2022, affecting thousands of candidates who faced last-minute center changes and travel disruptions. Last-minute alterations in exam schedules and inadequate communication from NTA exacerbated student anxiety, prompting widespread criticism of the rollout's execution despite its policy intent to standardize admissions.[29] Results were delayed until September 2022, further delaying university admissions.[23] In 2023, the second edition shifted to an earlier schedule, with exams held from May 21 to June 2 and June 5 to 6 across hybrid modes, aiming to address prior delays in admissions.[30] NTA reported the first day, May 21, as largely glitch-free with 77% attendance, though minor delays occurred at select centers.[31] Persistent issues included complaints of distant exam centers, particularly in regions like Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir, leading to logistical hardships for students.[32] Compared to 2022, improvements in technical stability were noted, but systemic problems such as inconsistent center allocations and preparation gaps highlighted ongoing implementation flaws in the exam's early phase.[33]Recent Developments and Reforms (2024–2025)
In December 2024, the University Grants Commission (UGC) announced significant reforms to the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) levels, effective for the 2025 edition, following an internal review to address logistical challenges and enhance efficiency observed in prior cycles.[34][35] These changes include a return to fully computer-based testing (CBT) for CUET-UG, eliminating the hybrid pen-and-paper mode used in 2024, which had faced implementation issues such as delays and irregularities.[36][37] For CUET-UG 2025, the number of available subjects was reduced from 63 to 37, with the removal of 20 foreign languages and 6 domain-specific subjects deemed less relevant or low-enrollment, aiming to streamline preparation and reduce candidate overload.[38][39] All exams will now have a standardized duration of 60 minutes, down from variable timings, and candidates are limited to selecting a maximum of 5 subjects, compared to 6 previously, to promote focused testing while allowing cross-stream choices for interdisciplinary programs.[40][41] CUET-PG 2025 introduces modifications including an increased registration fee, addition of new exam centers, and expanded choices for exam cities to improve accessibility; the exam duration is set at 90 minutes per paper, conducted once annually in online mode across 157 master's programs.[42] Revised guidelines from the National Testing Agency (NTA) are expected imminently, with the exam tentatively scheduled for May-June 2025, building on the 2024 cycle's result declaration in July.[1][43] These reforms prioritize operational reliability over expanded scope, responding to criticisms of past hybrid implementations without altering core eligibility or normalization processes.[44]Objectives and Rationale
Policy Goals for Standardization
The introduction of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) in 2022 addressed longstanding inconsistencies in India's higher education admissions, where central universities previously conducted independent entrance exams or relied heavily on varying state board marks, leading to unequal evaluation standards across regions. By establishing a single national-level test administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the policy sought to create a uniform assessment mechanism focused on domain-specific knowledge and aptitude, independent of disparate secondary schooling outcomes.[45] This standardization was intended to foster meritocracy by minimizing advantages conferred by coaching access or board-specific grading leniency, particularly benefiting students from rural and underrepresented areas.[8] A core policy objective was to align admissions with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's vision of equitable access to quality higher education, reducing the fragmentation caused by over 200 university-specific tests that burdened applicants with logistical and financial strains. The UGC's framework emphasized a common platform to evaluate candidates on standardized parameters, including normalized scores to account for multi-session variations, thereby ensuring comparability across diverse applicant pools.[16] This approach aimed to curb regional disparities, as evidenced by the policy's explicit support for equal opportunities for candidates from North-Eastern and rural backgrounds, where local board standards often lagged national benchmarks.[8] Further, standardization through CUET was designed to streamline university operations by centralizing merit lists, alleviating the need for individual institutions to validate varied credentials and reducing scope for subjective cutoffs. Official NTA guidelines highlight this as promoting transparency and efficiency, with the test's computer-based format enabling scalable, tamper-proof delivery to over 14 million registrants in its early cycles.[1] Critics of pre-CUET systems, including UGC reports, noted that board mark dependency amplified inequities, as top universities like Delhi University admitted based on inflated scores from lenient boards, prompting the shift to aptitude-driven metrics for a more objective national talent pool.[40]Intended Benefits for Equity and Efficiency
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET), introduced under the National Education Policy 2020, seeks to promote equity in higher education admissions by establishing a single, standardized national-level assessment that diminishes disparities arising from varying state board curricula, subjective marking practices, and unequal access to coaching resources predominantly available in urban areas.[8] This approach intends to level the playing field, particularly for students from rural and underrepresented regions, by enabling them to compete for seats in central universities through a common platform rather than fragmented university-specific exams that favor those with greater logistical and financial advantages.[46] Official objectives emphasize administering "research-based valid, reliable, efficient, transparent, fair" tests to foster equal opportunities irrespective of educational background, shifting reliance from potentially inflated board exam scores to objective aptitude and domain knowledge evaluation.[47] In terms of efficiency, CUET is designed to streamline the admissions process by consolidating multiple entrance tests into one, thereby reducing the administrative burden on universities, minimizing student travel and preparation costs, and enabling faster result processing through centralized normalization procedures conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).[8] Prior to CUET's rollout in 2022, aspirants often faced the challenge of appearing for dozens of separate exams across institutions, leading to inefficiencies such as overlapping schedules and redundant evaluations; the test's modular structure—covering languages, domain subjects, and general aptitude—allows candidates to apply to over 250 participating universities with a single score set, optimizing resource allocation and promoting a meritocratic system aligned with international standards.[47] This unification is projected to enhance overall system throughput, as evidenced by NTA's mandate to deliver "efficient" assessments that support broader policy goals of quality improvement without compromising fairness.[8]Exam Structure and Pattern
CUET-UG Components and Format
The Common University Entrance Test for Undergraduate programs (CUET-UG) is structured into three sections designed to assess candidates' language proficiency, domain knowledge, and general aptitude. Section IA comprises 13 Indian languages (e.g., English, Hindi, Tamil), while Section IB offers additional foreign languages such as German and Spanish; candidates typically select one language from these for testing reading comprehension, literary aptitude, and vocabulary through multiple-choice questions.[48] Section II includes 23 domain-specific subjects aligned with the NCERT Class 12 curriculum, such as Accountancy, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, allowing candidates to choose up to five based on their intended undergraduate program; these evaluate subject-specific understanding via objective questions.[45] Section III is the General Test, covering general knowledge, current affairs, general mental ability, numerical ability, quantitative reasoning, and logical reasoning, intended for programs requiring broad aptitude assessment.[49] Each test paper in CUET-UG 2025 follows a uniform format of 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), all of which candidates are required to attempt, conducted in a computer-based test (CBT) mode.[47] The duration per paper is 60 minutes, with candidates permitted to appear for up to six papers total (e.g., one language from Section IA/IB plus five domain subjects from Section II, or two languages plus four domains; the General Test from Section III is optional unless specified by the program).[50] Questions are drawn from the official syllabus published by the National Testing Agency (NTA), emphasizing objective evaluation without subjective elements.[45] The marking scheme awards 5 marks for each correct answer and deducts 1 mark for each incorrect response, with no penalty for unattempted questions, resulting in a maximum score of 250 marks per paper.[47] This scheme, revised for 2025 to standardize scoring across sessions, applies uniformly to all sections and aims to discourage random guessing while rewarding accurate knowledge.[51] Scores are normalized across multiple exam shifts to account for variations in difficulty, ensuring comparability for admissions.[45]| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Question Type | Multiple-choice (MCQs) |
| Questions per Paper | 50 (all to be attempted) |
| Duration | 60 minutes per paper |
| Marking | +5 (correct), -1 (incorrect), 0 (unattempted) |
| Maximum Marks | 250 per paper |
CUET-PG Components and Format
The Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate programs (CUET-PG) is administered as a computer-based test (CBT) consisting of domain-specific papers tailored to various academic disciplines. Each test paper includes 75 compulsory multiple-choice questions (MCQs), with candidates required to answer all within a fixed duration of 105 minutes (1 hour 45 minutes).[8] The questions assess graduate-level knowledge in the chosen subject, drawing from syllabi published by the National Testing Agency (NTA), which emphasize core concepts, analytical skills, and application-based problems relevant to postgraduate admissions.[52] Test papers are coded by discipline, such as SCQP for sciences (e.g., SCQP01 for Chemical Sciences), HUQP for humanities (e.g., HUQP01 for English), and COQP for commerce (e.g., COQP01 for Accounting). Candidates may select up to four test papers per application cycle, depending on the eligibility for their target programs across participating central, state, and deemed universities, with each paper evaluated independently for scoring and normalization.[8] The NTA maintains over 150 subject-specific codes to accommodate diverse postgraduate courses, including interdisciplinary fields like Environmental Sciences (EVQP01) and Legal Studies (LAQP01), ensuring alignment with university-specific admission criteria.[52] The marking scheme awards 4 marks for each correct response, deducts 1 mark for each incorrect answer, and assigns 0 marks for unattempted questions, yielding a maximum score of 300 per paper.[8] This structure, introduced to standardize evaluation across multiple sessions and centers, incorporates percentile-based normalization to account for variations in difficulty, as outlined in NTA guidelines, with raw scores converted post-examination for fair inter-session comparability.[8] All questions are objective, with four options per MCQ, and no descriptive or subjective components are included, prioritizing quantifiable assessment over qualitative judgment.[8]Marking Scheme and Normalization
The marking scheme for CUET-UG awards 5 marks for each correct answer, deducts 1 mark for each incorrect answer, and assigns 0 marks for unattempted questions, with exams typically comprising 45-60 questions per subject depending on the chosen domain.[53][51] For CUET-PG, each of the 75 multiple-choice questions carries 4 marks, granting 4 marks per correct response, deducting 1 mark per incorrect response, and 0 marks for unattempted or reviewed-but-unanswered questions, resulting in a maximum score of 300 per paper.[8][54] Raw scores in both CUET-UG and CUET-PG are subjected to normalization when subjects are administered across multiple sessions or days to mitigate variations in question difficulty and candidate cohort performance.[55][56] The National Testing Agency (NTA) employs the equi-percentile method, converting raw marks into percentiles calculated to seven decimal places for precision, where a candidate's percentile reflects the percentage of test-takers scoring below them in their session.[55][57] This process ensures comparability across sessions by equating distributions, with the final normalized score—expressed as a percentile—used by universities for merit lists rather than raw marks.[58][59] In practice, normalization adjusts for session-specific factors such as differing ability levels or paper toughness, as validated by NTA's multi-session testing protocols; for instance, higher raw scores in easier sessions are scaled downward relative to tougher ones to maintain equity.[55][60] Scorecards display both raw and normalized (percentile) scores per subject, with ties resolved via predefined criteria like age or application number if percentiles are identical.[61] No separate overall percentile is computed across subjects; instead, domain-specific percentiles guide admissions.[62] This approach, while statistically robust, has drawn scrutiny in early implementations for potential distortions in edge cases, though NTA maintains its accuracy based on empirical validation against single-session benchmarks.[55]Eligibility, Application, and Fees
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility for appearing in the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is established by the National Testing Agency (NTA), with admission to programs determined by individual participating universities based on their specific criteria, including minimum qualifying marks in prior education, required subjects, and reservations.[1][8] For CUET-UG, candidates must have completed or be appearing in their Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent examination from a recognized board; there is no prescribed minimum percentage of marks required to appear for the test, nor is there an age limit.[1][47] Universities may impose additional requirements for admission, such as a minimum aggregate score of 50% in Class 12 for general category candidates (45% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD) or specific subject combinations passed in the qualifying exam.[1] For CUET-PG, eligibility to appear requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognized university, or being in the final year of such a program in 2025; no age limit applies, and there is no uniform minimum marks threshold set by NTA for taking the exam.[8] Admission eligibility varies by university and program, often mandating at least 50% marks in the undergraduate degree for general category applicants (45% for reserved categories) and fulfillment of discipline-specific prerequisites.[8] Candidates are advised to consult the respective university's website for precise admission norms, as qualifying CUET alone does not assure enrollment.[8]Application Process
The application process for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is managed exclusively online by the National Testing Agency (NTA) via dedicated portals for undergraduate (CUET-UG) and postgraduate (CUET-PG) programs.[45][2] Candidates must create an account using a valid email address and mobile number, after which they complete the form in stages, including personal details, academic qualifications, selection of exam subjects or domains, and choice of participating universities or programs.[8][63] For CUET-UG 2025, registration opened on March 1 and closed on March 22, requiring applicants to upload a recent passport-sized photograph (10-200 KB, JPG format), signature (4-30 KB, JPG), and category certificate if applicable, all meeting NTA's size and format specifications to avoid rejection.[64] Applicants select up to six subjects from the available domains, languages, and general test options, with the system generating a unique application number upon initial submission. Fee payment follows via online modes such as debit/credit cards, net banking, or UPI, after which a confirmation page is downloadable; no offline submissions or postal applications are accepted.[63] CUET-PG follows a parallel structure, with the 2025 registration period from January 2 to February 1 (up to 11:50 P.M. IST), emphasizing program-specific eligibility checks prior to selection of test papers corresponding to postgraduate disciplines.[65] Document uploads mirror CUET-UG requirements, including proof of identity and educational certificates, while the form mandates accurate entry of details like Aadhaar or other ID numbers for verification. Post-submission, NTA provides a provisional confirmation, but candidates must retain it until admission processes conclude, as physical copies are not forwarded.[8] A correction window, typically lasting 1-2 days after initial closure, allows limited edits to fields like contact details or subject choices without fee refund, though uploaded images cannot be altered; incomplete or erroneous forms lead to disqualification.[65] NTA advises applicants to use desktop browsers for compatibility and verifies details against government databases where possible, with helpline support available at 011-40759000 or [email protected] for UG and [email protected] for PG queries during active periods.[45][2]Fee Structure
The fee structure for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is determined by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and varies based on the program (UG or PG), candidate category, and the number of subjects or papers selected.[1] Fees are non-refundable, payable online through net banking, debit/credit cards, UPI, or wallets, and include applicable GST and bank processing charges.[8] For CUET-UG 2025, fees are calculated according to the number of subjects chosen, with a maximum of five subjects permitted. The base fee covers up to three subjects, with incremental charges for each additional subject. International candidates opting for test centers outside India face substantially higher fees.[47]| Category | Up to 3 Subjects (INR) | Each Additional Subject (INR) | Outside India: Up to 3 Subjects (INR) | Outside India: Each Additional (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 1,000 | 400 | 4,500 | 1,800 |
| OBC-NCL/EWS | 900 | 375 | 4,500 | 1,800 |
| SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender | 800 | 350 | 4,500 | 1,800 |
| Category | Up to 2 Papers (INR) | Each Additional Paper (INR) | Outside India: Up to 2 Papers (INR) | Outside India: Each Additional (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 1,400 | 700 | 7,000 | 3,500 |
| OBC-NCL/Gen-EWS | 1,200 | 600 | 7,000 | 3,500 |
| SC/ST/Third Gender | 1,100 | 600 | 7,000 | 3,500 |
| PwD | 1,000 | 600 | 7,000 | 3,500 |