CUET Syllabus 2026: Section & Subject Breakdown

The CUET (Common University Entrance Test) 2026 syllabus is structured to closely match the NCERT Class 12 curriculum for all subjects. It is crafted to support students finishing their senior secondary education in India and ensures that applicants are evaluated on relevant and uniform academic knowledge. This helps universities assess students fairly for different undergraduate courses.

Overview of the CUET 2026 Syllabus Structure

CUET 2026 is divided into three key sections:

Language Papers

Domain-Specific Subjects (Core Subjects)

General Aptitude Test (GAT)

Candidates can select up to five papers from these sections, depending on the eligibility criteria of the universities they wish to apply to.

Language Papers

The language section consists of 13 languages, including English, Hindi and various regional languages. The syllabus for these papers usually includes:

• Reading Comprehension: Passages of around 300 to 350 words that may be factual, narrative or literary in nature.

• Verbal Ability: Questions related to sentence rearrangement, grammar and verbal reasoning.

• Vocabulary: Items on synonyms, antonyms and selecting the correct words.

• Literary Aptitude: Some questions may check familiarity with literary devices and authors.

Each language paper contains 50 compulsory questions that must be completed within 60 minutes.

Domain-Specific Subjects

There are 23 domain subjects that match the streams students commonly choose. These subjects are closely based on the NCERT Class 12 syllabus, which helps students prepare more easily since the topics are already familiar through their board studies. Key subjects include:

Science Stream: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics
Commerce Stream: Business Studies, Accountancy, Economics
Arts & Humanities Stream: History, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology

Each domain-specific paper consists of 50 compulsory questions, and students are generally given 60 minutes to complete it.

General Aptitude Test (GAT)

The GAT evaluates a candidate’s overall awareness and reasoning skills. It includes the following areas:

• General Knowledge and Current Affairs

• General Mental Ability and Numerical Ability (based on concepts up to Class 8)

• Logical and Analytical Reasoning

• General Science and Environmental Literacy

The GAT paper contains 50 questions and the total duration is 60 minutes. The syllabus focuses on problem-solving skills, numerical aptitude, and updated knowledge of current events, highlighting practical and real-world applications.

Preparation Tips for Tier-1 City Students

Students in tier-1 cities often face higher competition because they have access to a wide range of coaching institutes and study materials. To stay ahead, a well-planned strategy is important:

• Prioritize NCERT textbooks for Class 12: Since the CUET syllabus is closely aligned with NCERT, a thorough understanding of these books is essential.

• Practice Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability every day: These areas require strong reading habits and vocabulary, which improve with consistent practice.

• Take regular mock tests and solve previous year papers: This helps you apply concepts in timed conditions and strengthens speed and accuracy.

• Stay updated on current affairs: Set aside time daily to read newspapers or reliable current affairs summaries, especially for the General Aptitude Test.

• Use online platforms and learning apps: Several resources provide CUET-specific practice sets, mock tests, and video lessons for all sections.

CUET 2026 Syllabus Summary Table

Changes in CUET UG 2026 Syllabus

There are no significant changes in the CUET UG 2026 syllabus compared to last year. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has kept the syllabus mostly aligned with the NCERT Class 12 curriculum for domain-specific subjects. The exam pattern also remains the same with three primary sections: Language Papers, Domain-Specific Subjects, and the General Aptitude Test.

Key details regarding the CUET UG 2026 syllabus:

• The number of available languages has been reduced from 23 to 13.
• The total number of subjects has been decreased from 63 to 37.
• Candidates can now select up to five subjects instead of the earlier limit of six or ten.
• All tests will continue to be conducted in computer-based mode.
• Each subject paper will have a duration of 60 minutes with 50 mandatory multiple-choice questions.
• Subjects like Entrepreneurship, Home Science, Fashion Studies, Tourism, Legal Studies and Engineering Graphics have been removed.
• Students are allowed to choose subjects irrespective of their Class 12 stream, which enables cross-stream combinations.
• The General Test section still includes General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Logical and Analytical Reasoning, and Numerical and Quantitative Ability.
• Domain subjects continue to follow the NCERT Class 12 syllabus closely.

Overall, CUET UG 2026 keeps the syllabus familiar and removes unnecessary complexity. The exam does not add any new topics. It simply reduces the number of subjects and organizes them more clearly so that it stays aligned with the Indian Class 12 curriculum. Students should concentrate on the core NCERT Class 12 syllabus for their selected subjects and prepare well for the general aptitude section, especially current affairs and reasoning.

This format makes the exam more focused and easier to prepare for. It also allows candidates to plan their studies more effectively since the syllabus remains stable and predictable. Coaching centers can also follow a consistent preparation pattern without any disruption.

To sum up, the main changes in CUET UG 2026 involve fewer subjects, fewer language options, and a limit on the number of papers. The actual syllabus content is still based on the well known NCERT Class 12 curriculum. This helps students prepare smoothly for CUET and aim confidently for undergraduate admissions.

Stream-Wise CUET Syllabus 2026

The CUET UG 2026 syllabus is designed to align with the three major streams that students usually study in Class 12: Science, Commerce, and Arts. Each stream includes specific domain subjects that follow the NCERT Class 12 curriculum. Below is a stream-wise overview of the CUET 2026 syllabus:

Science Stream Syllabus

Students from the Science stream typically select subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. The syllabus for these subjects includes the following areas:

Physics: Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction, Optics, Dual Nature of Matter, Atomic Structure, Electronic Devices, and related topics.

Chemistry: Solid State, Solutions, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Surface Chemistry, Block Elements, Coordination Compounds, and important concepts from Organic Chemistry such as Alcohols, Phenols, Aldehydes, and Polymers.

Mathematics: Algebra, Calculus, Integration, Differential Equations, Probability Distributions, and Linear Programming.

Biology: Reproduction, Genetics and Evolution, Human Welfare, Biotechnology, Ecology, and Environment.

Additional Subjects: Environmental Studies, Psychology, and Computer Science or Informatics Practices are also available. These subjects follow unit-wise topics from the NCERT syllabus.

Commerce students have the option to study a range of subjects, including:

Accountancy: Covers both basic and advanced accounting concepts.

Business Studies: Focuses on management principles, business operations, marketing, and financial aspects of business.

Economics: Includes ten units such as Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, the Indian Economy, and Developmental Economics.

Mathematics (Optional): Offers Applied and Core Mathematics depending on the requirements of the commerce stream.

Arts/Humanities Stream Syllabus

Students choosing the Arts or Humanities stream study a range of subjects, including:

History: Covers ancient, medieval and modern Indian history.
Political Science: Includes the Indian Constitution, Political Theory and International Relations.
Geography: Encompasses Physical, Human and Economic Geography.
Sociology: Focuses on society, social change and various social institutions.
Psychology: Deals with psychological attributes, life challenges and social processes.

Additional subjects such as Legal Studies, Philosophy and Journalism may also be part of the curriculum as outlined in the NCERT Class 12 syllabus.

Language Papers

A total of 13 languages are available, including English, Hindi, and various regional languages. The syllabus evaluates:

• Reading Comprehension

• Verbal Ability

• Grammar and Vocabulary

• Literary Aptitude

General Aptitude Test (GAT)

The GAT section covers:

• General Knowledge and Current Affairs

• Logical and Analytical Reasoning

• Numerical and Quantitative Ability up to the Class 8 level

• Topics related to General Science and Environmental Literacy.

Exam Pattern Highlights

Each paper contains 50 compulsory multiple-choice questions.

The duration of each paper is 60 minutes.

Candidates can opt for up to five papers by selecting from different sections (Languages, Domain Subjects, GAT).

The syllabus follows the NCERT Class 12 curriculum for each subject to ensure familiarity.

How to Choose CUET Subject in 2026?

Understand the CUET structure:

You can select up to five subjects from three sections: one language paper, two or three domain papers, and the General Aptitude Test. The CUET domain subjects list offers 23 options such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Economics, History, Accountancy, Political Science, Psychology, and Computer Science.

Check university and course requirements:

Every university and course has specific eligibility rules regarding the subjects you must choose. Go through the official eligibility criteria of your preferred course and institutions to ensure you select the required domain subjects. Most programmes prefer English as the language paper, although Hindi or English are both suitable options.

Consider your interests and strengths:

Pick subjects you enjoy studying and perform well in. Also think about your long term career plans and the opportunities related to your chosen course.

Choose subject combinations wisely:

For example, BSc (Hons) Science programmes may need Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or Biology. Commerce programmes often require combinations like Mathematics, Accountancy or Business Studies along with one or two other domain subjects.

Avoid common mistakes:

Do not leave options empty apart from your top preferences. Select subjects that align with your target courses instead of following what others choose.

Use available resources:

Check university specific subject lists, past papers, and take guidance from teachers or career counselors.

Select one language paper, two or three domain subjects based on course requirements, and the General Aptitude Test. Confirm the subject criteria for each university and choose subjects that fit your strengths, interests, and career goals to improve your chances in CUET 2026.