Are you one of the lakhs of students waiting for the CUET UG 2026 admit card? The National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to release the CUET hall ticket by May 8, 2026 — just days before the exam begins on May 11. If you haven’t downloaded the city intimation slip yet, or if you’re unsure what to carry to the exam centre, this complete guide covers everything: admit card download steps, paper pattern, marking scheme, eligibility, and last-minute preparation tips.
Table of Contents
- CUET 2026 Important Dates & Timeline
- CUET Admit Card 2026 — What You Need to Know
- How to Download CUET Hall Ticket 2026 (Step-by-Step)
- What to Carry & What Not to Carry
- Eligibility Criteria
- CUET 2026 Paper Pattern
- Marking Scheme Explained
- Preparation Tips for Last-Minute Candidates
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions
CUET 2026 Important Dates & Timeline
Before anything else, bookmark these critical dates so nothing catches you off-guard. Here is the full CUET UG 2026 schedule as released and expected by NTA:
| Event | Date / Status |
|---|---|
| Registration & Application | Completed (Earlier in 2026) |
| City Intimation Slip Release | April 29, 2026 ✅ Released |
| Scribe Registration Deadline (PwD) | May 5, 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| CUET Admit Card Release | ~May 8, 2026 (Expected) |
| CUET UG Exam Dates | May 11 – May 31, 2026 |
| Admit Card for Late-Exam Candidates | Phased — up to May 25–26, 2026 |
| Result Declaration | To be announced by NTA |
CUET Admit Card 2026 — What You Need to Know
The CUET admit card (also called the hall ticket) is your official entry pass to the examination centre. Without it, you will not be allowed inside — no exceptions. NTA releases it exclusively online at cuet.nta.nic.in, and there is no postal dispatch.
City Intimation Slip vs. Admit Card — Know the Difference
Many students confuse the city intimation slip with the admit card. They are not the same document:
- City Intimation Slip (Released April 29): Shows only your allotted exam city. Used for travel planning. NOT valid for entry into the exam hall.
- Admit Card (Expected ~May 8): Contains complete details — exact exam centre address, reporting time, shift, roll number, and candidate photo. This is the ONLY document accepted for entry.
Details Printed on the CUET 2026 Hall Ticket
- Candidate’s full name and application number
- Roll number (exam roll number)
- Photograph and signature
- Subject-wise exam date and shift timing
- Allotted exam centre name and complete address
- Reporting time and gate-closing time
- Exam instructions and self-declaration form
- Category and PwD status (if applicable)
How to Download CUET Hall Ticket 2026 (Step-by-Step)
Follow these straightforward steps to download your admit card the moment it is released:
- Go to the official CUET portal:cuet.nta.nic.in
- Click on the“CUET UG 2026 Admit Card Download”link on the homepage.
- Click on“Sign In”to access your candidate login.
- Enter yourApplication NumberandPassword / Date of Birth, along with the security code.
- Click the“Submit”button.
- Your CUET admit card will appear on screen. Verify all details carefully.
- Download and savethe PDF. Print at least2–3 colour copiesto carry to the exam.
What to Carry & What NOT to Carry on Exam Day
NTA has strict guidelines on what is and is not permitted inside the exam centre. Violations can lead to disqualification.
Allowed Items
- Printed CUET 2026 Admit Card (colour)
- Valid Government Photo ID (Aadhaar / PAN / Passport / Voter ID / Driving Licence)
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Transparent water bottle
- Simple ballpoint pen
- PwD certificate (if applicable)
- Diabetic items: sugar tablets, fruit
- Self-declaration form (as printed on admit card)
Prohibited Items
- Smartphone, smartwatch, or any electronic gadget
- Bluetooth or wireless earphones
- Calculator or scientific instruments
- Bags, handbags, wallets, or purses
- Sunglasses, jewellery, or metallic objects
- Written material or books
- City Intimation Slip (alone — not sufficient)
- Digital/soft copy of admit card (physical print required)
CUET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before appearing for the exam, candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements set by NTA and the participating universities:
| Eligibility Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Passed or appearing in Class 12 (10+2) from a recognised board |
| Minimum Marks | Generally 50% aggregate in Class 12 (45% for reserved categories). Varies by university. |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit set by NTA; some universities may have their own restrictions |
| Nationality | Indian nationals; OCI/NRI as per university policy |
| Number of Attempts | Class 12 students from the previous year may also appear (subject to university permission) |
| Subject Selection | Maximum 5 subjects (including language and General Test) |
Important: Each participating university sets its own specific eligibility. Always check the official brochure of your target university before finalising subject choices.
CUET 2026 Paper Pattern — Revised Structure
NTA has introduced key changes to the CUET UG 2026 exam pattern. The total number of subject papers has been reduced from 63 to 37, covering 23 domain subjects, 13 languages, and one General Test. All papers are now Computer-Based Tests (CBT).
Section-Wise Breakdown
| Section | Content | No. of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section I — Language | 13 languages (Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary) | 50 (All compulsory) | 60 minutes |
| Section II — Domain Subject | 23 domain-specific subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Maths, History, Economics, etc.) | 50 (All compulsory) | 60 minutes |
| Section III — General Test | GK, Current Affairs, Quantitative Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, General Science | 50 (All compulsory) | 60 minutes |
Key Features of the 2026 Pattern
- Mode: Online CBT (Computer-Based Test) only — no pen-and-paper option
- Question Type: MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) only
- Maximum Subjects a Candidate Can Choose: 5 (including language + domain + general test)
- Language options: 13 — Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Gujarati, Odia, Bengali, Assamese, Punjabi, Urdu
- Exam held in 2 shifts per day over multiple days (May 11 to May 31)
- Syllabus: Entirely based on NCERT Class 12 curriculum
- Maximum marks per subject: 250 (50 questions × 5 marks each)
CUET 2026 Marking Scheme — Explained Simply
Understanding the marking scheme before exam day helps you develop a smart answering strategy. Here is the official NTA marking policy for CUET 2026:
| Scenario | Marks Awarded |
|---|---|
| Correct answer | +5 marks |
| Wrong answer (incorrect option marked) | −1 mark |
| Unattempted / Marked for Review | 0 marks (no penalty) |
| Question dropped by NTA / found wrong | +5 marks to all who attempted it |
| Multiple correct options exist | +5 marks if any correct option marked |
Strategy Based on Marking Scheme
- Attempt carefully: A wrong answer costs you 1 mark, wiping out 1/5th of a correct answer’s value. Don’t guess blindly.
- Skip if unsure: Unattempted questions carry zero penalty — smarter than random guessing.
- Target 90%+ accuracy over 100% attempt rate for a strong score.
- Aim for 235+ per subject to be competitive for top universities like DU, BHU, or JNU.
Last-Minute Preparation Tips for CUET 2026
With just days to go, here is how to maximise your score efficiently:
Stick to NCERT
The entire CUET syllabus is Class 12 NCERT-based. Avoid jumping to coaching material at this stage. Revise NCERT chapters topic by topic.
Practise with Mock Tests
Solve at least 2 full-length mock tests per subject. Focus on time management — you have 60 minutes for 50 questions, roughly 72 seconds per question.
Previous Year Papers
CUET 2022, 2023, and 2024 papers reveal recurring topics and difficulty patterns. Solve them under timed conditions for real exam simulation.
General Test Prep
For the General Aptitude section, revise current affairs of the last 6 months, basic logical reasoning, and quantitative aptitude shortcuts.
Prioritise Sleep
The night before exam, avoid pulling an all-nighter. A rested mind performs significantly better under timed conditions than an exhausted one.
Plan Your Route
Check the exam centre address on your admit card (once released) and do a test run if possible. Reach the centre at least 30 minutes before the reporting time.
Common Mistakes Candidates Make — And How to Avoid Them
- Confusing city slip with admit card: The city slip is NOT an entry pass. Always carry the actual printed admit card.
- Carrying only a digital copy: NTA does not allow digital/mobile admit cards at the centre. Print it in colour.
- Forgetting photo ID: Without a valid government photo ID alongside the admit card, entry will be denied.
- Guessing randomly: The −1 mark penalty means random guessing on 5 questions costs you the value of 1 correct answer.
- Ignoring admit card errors: Check your name, photo, exam date, and roll number immediately after downloading. Report discrepancies to NTA before the exam — not after.
- Arriving late: Gate closes before the exam begins. Late arrivals are not permitted inside the centre under any circumstance.
- Downloading from unofficial websites: Always use cuet.nta.nic.in — fake websites may steal your login credentials.
Key Takeaways
- CUET UG 2026 admit card is expected around May 8, 2026 at cuet.nta.nic.in
- The exam runs from May 11 to May 31, 2026 in CBT mode across India
- City intimation slip ≠ admit card — only the hall ticket grants exam entry
- Use Application Number + Password/DOB to log in and download your hall ticket
- Marking: +5 for correct, −1 for wrong, 0 for unattempted
- 37 subjects in total: 23 domain, 13 language, 1 General Test; max 5 subjects per candidate
- Carry a colour-printed admit card + valid photo ID + passport photo to the centre
- Contact NTA helpline (011-40759000) immediately if any detail on the admit card is wrong