With over 14 lakh students registered for CUET UG 2026, the wait for the official datesheet is finally coming to an end. Here is a complete, up-to-date guide on what to expect, when to check, and how to prepare once the schedule drops.

Quick Facts: CUET UG 2026 Datesheet

Conducting Body	National Testing Agency (NTA)
Exam Window	May 11 – May 31, 2026
Exam Mode	Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Datesheet Release	Expected: 3rd week of April 2026
City Intimation Slip	Expected: ~April 30, 2026
Admit Card	Expected: 2–3 days before exam date
Total Subjects	37 (13 Languages + 23 Domain + General Test)
Total Registered Candidates	14+ lakh
Exam Cities (India)	306
Exam Cities (Abroad)	15
Official Website	cuet.nta.nic.in

What Is the CUET UG 2026 Datesheet — And Why Does It Matter?

The CUET UG 2026 datesheet is the official subject-wise examination schedule published by the National Testing Agency. It tells every registered candidate exactly which date their exam is scheduled, which shift they are assigned to, and what time they need to report at the exam centre.

For a candidate appearing in multiple subjects — say, English, History, and the General Aptitude Test — the datesheet is the only document that confirms whether those papers fall on different days or the same day in different slots. Without this information, planning travel, accommodation, and last-minute revision becomes a guessing game.

Given that this year’s exam spans a full three weeks across 321 cities worldwide, the datesheet is essentially your personal exam roadmap.

CUET UG 2026 Datesheet: Expected Release Date & Schedule

Event	Expected Date	Status
CUET UG 2026 Datesheet / Subject-Wise Schedule	3rd week of April 2026	Awaited
Advance City Intimation Slip	~April 30, 2026	Awaited
CUET UG 2026 Admit Card	2–3 days before exam date	Awaited
CUET UG 2026 Exam Begins	May 11, 2026	Confirmed
CUET UG 2026 Exam Ends	May 31, 2026	Confirmed

Insider Note: In 2025, NTA did not release a separate datesheet PDF — instead, the subject-wise exam date and shift details were embedded directly into each candidate’s City Intimation Slip. For 2026, a separate datesheet is expected, but if it is not released by April 27–29, candidates should check their intimation slip directly.

Shift Timings: When Will Your Exam Be Held?

Since the exam is conducted across multiple days in two daily shifts, knowing your shift in advance is critical for planning. Based on the pattern followed in previous years, here are the expected shift timings for CUET UG 2026:

Shift	Reporting Time	Exam Start Time	Exam End Time
Shift 1 (Morning)	8:00 AM	9:00 AM	12:00 PM
Shift 2 (Afternoon)	2:00 PM	3:00 PM	6:00 PM

Each individual subject paper lasts approximately 60 minutes. Candidates who have selected multiple subjects in one slot may have back-to-back papers within the same shift window.

Important: These shift timings are based on previous year patterns and are subject to change. Always refer to your official admit card for the final confirmed reporting time and slot details.

Which Subjects Are Covered in the CUET UG 2026 Schedule?

The CUET UG 2026 datesheet will cover all 37 subjects across three categories. Here is a breakdown:

Language Papers (Section IA & IB)

• English
• Hindi
• Urdu
• Bengali
• Tamil
• Telugu
• Kannada
• Marathi
• Gujarati
• Punjabi
• Malayalam
• Odia
• Assamese

Domain-Specific Subjects (Section II)

• Accountancy
• Biology
• Business Studies
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Geography
• History
• Home Science
• Legal Studies
• Mathematics
• Physical Education
• Physics
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Fine Arts
• Performing Arts
• Agriculture
• Anthropology
• Sanskrit
• Environmental Science
• Knowledge Traditions

General Aptitude Test (Section III)

The General Test is mandatory for most university programmes and covers general knowledge, current affairs, mental ability, numerical aptitude, and logical reasoning.

How to Download the CUET UG 2026 Datesheet — Step by Step

1. Open your browser and go to the official NTA CUET website: cuet.nta.nic.in
2. Look for the link titled “CUET UG 2026 Datesheet / Exam Schedule” on the homepage or the “Latest Updates” section.
3. Click the link. The PDF will either open directly or prompt you to log in with your Application Number and Password.
4. Locate your registered subjects in the PDF and note down the exam date, shift, and slot timing for each.
5. Download and save the datesheet. Also take a screenshot for quick reference on your phone.

Backup Plan: If the datesheet PDF is not separately released, log in to the portal around April 30, 2026, and download your Advance City Intimation Slip. It will contain your personalised exam date, shift, slot, and the name of your allotted city — even before the admit card is issued.

City Intimation Slip vs Admit Card: What Is the Difference?

Many students confuse these two documents. Here is a clear breakdown:

Feature	City Intimation Slip	Admit Card
Release timing	~10–12 days before exam	2–3 days before exam
Exam city name	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Exact exam centre address	❌ No	✅ Yes
Exam date and shift	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Valid entry document at exam hall	❌ No	✅ Yes (mandatory)
Used for	Travel & accommodation planning	Entry to exam centre

Think of the City Intimation Slip as an early heads-up that helps you book trains or hotels in advance. The Admit Card is your actual entry pass — do not go to the exam centre without it.

Smart Preparation Strategies Based on the Datesheet

Once the datesheet is out, do not just note your dates — use them strategically. Here is how:

1. Create a subject-wise countdown

After checking your specific exam dates, count the number of days left for each subject. Give the earliest exam your top priority immediately. Many students make the mistake of revising in syllabus order rather than in chronological exam order.

2. Use gaps between exams wisely

If you have a gap of two or more days between two subjects, use the first day after your exam to rest and the remaining days for revision of the next subject. Cramming the night before any paper rarely helps in a high-stakes MCQ exam like CUET.

3. Simulate exam conditions

Once you know your shift — morning or afternoon — start adjusting your study and practice session timings accordingly. If your exam is at 9 AM, begin taking mock tests at 9 AM from today itself. Your brain performs better when it is conditioned to the right time of day.

4. Plan logistics early

With 306 exam cities in India, many candidates are assigned centres in cities different from their home. Once you receive your City Intimation Slip around April 30, 2026, book your travel immediately — trains and buses fill up fast during exam season.

What Documents to Carry on CUET UG 2026 Exam Day

Document	Mandatory?
CUET UG 2026 Admit Card (printout)	✅ Yes
Valid Photo ID (Aadhaar / PAN / Passport / Driving Licence)	✅ Yes
Passport-size photograph (same as uploaded)	✅ Recommended
PwBD certificate (if applicable)	✅ If applicable
Mobile phone	❌ Not allowed
Calculator or watch	❌ Not allowed

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. When will the CUET UG 2026 datesheet be officially released?

NTA is expected to release the CUET UG 2026 datesheet in the third week of April 2026, on the official website cuet.nta.nic.in. If a separate PDF is not published, the subject-wise schedule will be available through the City Intimation Slip, expected around April 30, 2026.

Q2. Are all my subjects guaranteed to be on different days?

Not necessarily. Candidates can have up to 5 subjects, and NTA assigns exam slots based on the combination of subjects chosen. In most cases, different domain subjects are scheduled on different days, but your exact schedule will only be confirmed after the datesheet or City Intimation Slip is released.

Q3. Can I change my exam centre after the City Intimation Slip is released?

No. Once the exam centre is allotted and communicated through the City Intimation Slip, NTA does not entertain any requests for centre change under any circumstances.

Q4. What if the datesheet is released and my exams overlap?

If there is a genuine scheduling conflict, candidates should immediately write to NTA through the official helpline. However, NTA’s scheduling system is designed to avoid conflicts for valid subject combinations. Double-check your registered subjects first.

Q5. How many subjects can I appear for in CUET UG 2026?

Candidates can appear for a maximum of 5 subjects: up to 2 language papers, up to 3 domain-specific subjects, and the General Aptitude Test. The exact combination must match the requirements of the universities and programmes you are applying to.

Q6. Is CUET UG 2026 being held in pen-and-paper mode for any subject?

No. For 2026, CUET UG is entirely in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. In 2024, some subjects were held in pen-and-paper mode due to high registrations, but that is not the case this year.

Q7. How long is each CUET UG 2026 subject paper?

Each subject paper in CUET UG 2026 is 60 minutes long. Candidates who have multiple papers in the same shift will appear for them back to back within the allotted shift window.

Bottom Line

The CUET UG 2026 datesheet is one of the most awaited documents for over 14 lakh students preparing for this entrance exam. Whether it is released as a standalone PDF or embedded in the City Intimation Slip, every candidate should check cuet.nta.nic.in regularly starting from the third week of April 2026.

Do not wait for the datesheet to start your preparation — use the confirmed exam window (May 11–31) to build a subject-wise revision plan right now. The candidates who plan logistics and preparation schedules in advance are the ones who walk into the exam hall with confidence.