University-wise & Category-wise Predicted Cutoff Marks | cuet-nta.com
The CUET Expected Cutoff 2026 is one of the most searched pieces of information by lakhs of students who appeared in the Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG) conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). After the CUET UG 2026 exam concludes, the burning question on every aspirant’s mind is: “What score will get me into my dream university?” This comprehensive guide answers exactly that.
CUET 2026 cutoff marks are the minimum qualifying scores that universities use to shortlist candidates for undergraduate admissions. These cutoffs vary significantly across universities, courses, categories (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD), and subjects. Understanding the CUET 2026 expected cutoff helps students strategize their university applications and set realistic expectations before the official merit list is released.
Pro Tip: CUET cutoffs are not officially released by NTA. Each participating university releases its own merit list and cutoff scores based on CUET marks. Always monitor your preferred university’s official admission portal.
What Is CUET UG 2026 Cutoff?
The CUET UG cutoff 2026 refers to the minimum score that a candidate must secure in the CUET exam to be eligible for admission into a specific course at a participating central or state university. Unlike JEE or NEET, there is no single national cutoff for CUET — every university sets its own threshold based on:
- Total number of seats available in the course
- Number of applicants who applied for that course-university combination
- Difficulty level of CUET UG 2026 exam
- Category-wise reservations (General, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS, PwD)
- Previous years’ admission data and trends
- Normalisation scores applied by NTA
Key Factors Affecting CUET Expected Cutoff 2026
Multiple factors influence whether the CUET 2026 cutoffs go up or down compared to previous years. Let us examine these in detail:
1. CUET 2026 Exam Difficulty Level
If the overall difficulty of CUET UG 2026 was moderate to difficult (as reported by many test-takers), the expected cutoffs tend to be lower than a relatively easier year. Difficulty in Language papers and Domain-specific subjects directly impacts candidate scores and thereby the admission cutoff.
2. Number of Students Appearing in CUET 2026
CUET 2026 saw registrations from over 13 lakh candidates across India, making it one of the largest undergraduate entrance exams in the country. Higher competition typically pushes cutoffs upward, especially for premier institutions like Delhi University, JNU, BHU, and Jamia Millia Islamia.
3. University-Specific Seat Matrix
Seats for popular courses like B.Com (Hons.), B.A. (Hons.) Economics, B.Sc. (Hons.) Mathematics, and B.A. (Hons.) English remain limited at top universities, which keeps cutoffs extremely high — sometimes touching 95%+ for General category candidates.
4. NTA Normalisation Procedure
Since CUET 2026 is conducted in multiple shifts, NTA applies a normalisation process to equate scores across different sets of question papers. The normalised CUET score — not the raw score — is used for computing cutoffs and merit lists.
CUET Expected Cutoff 2026 for Delhi University (DU)
Delhi University (DU) remains the most sought-after destination for CUET aspirants. The DU CUET expected cutoff 2026 for top programmes is estimated below based on previous year trends, exam analysis, and candidate feedback:
| Course | College | Gen | OBC-NCL | SC | ST |
| B.Com (Hons.) | SRCC | 98-99 | 94-96 | 87-90 | 80-84 |
| B.A. Eco (Hons.) | LSR | 97-98 | 92-95 | 85-88 | 78-82 |
| B.Sc. Maths (Hons.) | Hindu College | 95-97 | 90-93 | 83-86 | 76-80 |
| B.A. English (Hons.) | Miranda House | 96-98 | 91-94 | 84-87 | 77-81 |
| B.A. Psychology (Hons.) | Jesus & Mary | 94-96 | 88-92 | 82-85 | 74-78 |
| B.Com (Prog.) | Ramjas College | 90-93 | 84-88 | 78-82 | 70-74 |
| B.A. Political Sci. | Hansraj College | 93-95 | 87-91 | 80-84 | 73-77 |
| B.Sc. Computer Sci. | Dyal Singh | 91-94 | 85-89 | 79-83 | 71-75 |
Note: All DU CUET 2026 cutoff values above are estimates based on CUET 2024 and 2025 data. Actual cutoffs will be announced by DU admissions office after CUET UG 2026 result declaration.
CUET Expected Cutoff 2026 for JNU
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has shifted completely to CUET-based admissions for UG programmes. Given its prestige and limited seats, the JNU CUET 2026 cutoff is expected to remain competitive:
| Programme | School | Gen | OBC-NCL | SC | ST |
| B.A. (Hons.) Hindi | SLL&CS | 88-92 | 82-86 | 76-80 | 68-72 |
| B.A. (Hons.) Sanskrit | SLL&CS | 85-89 | 79-83 | 73-77 | 65-69 |
| B.A. (Hons.) Foreign Lang. | SLL&CS | 86-90 | 80-84 | 74-78 | 66-70 |
| B.Sc. Life Sciences | SBT | 90-94 | 84-88 | 78-82 | 70-74 |
CUET Expected Cutoff 2026 for BHU (Banaras Hindu University)
BHU is one of India’s largest central universities and a top destination for CUET aspirants from across the country. The BHU CUET cutoff 2026 is anticipated to be as follows:
| Course | Faculty | Gen | OBC-NCL | SC | ST |
| B.Com (Hons.) | Commerce | 88-92 | 82-86 | 75-79 | 67-71 |
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Physics | Science | 86-90 | 80-84 | 73-77 | 65-69 |
| B.A. (Hons.) History | Arts | 83-87 | 77-81 | 70-74 | 62-66 |
| B.A. (Hons.) Sociology | Arts | 82-86 | 76-80 | 69-73 | 61-65 |
| B.Sc. Agriculture | Agriculture | 80-85 | 74-78 | 67-71 | 59-63 |
CUET Expected Cutoff 2026 for Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI)
Jamia Millia Islamia is a central university known for its strong programmes in Mass Communication, Law, and Humanities. The expected CUET 2026 cutoffs for JMI are:
| Course | Gen | OBC-NCL | SC | ST | EWS |
| B.A. Mass Comm. | 88-92 | 82-86 | 75-79 | 67-71 | 85-89 |
| B.A. (Hons.) English | 86-90 | 80-84 | 73-77 | 65-69 | 83-87 |
| B.Com | 83-87 | 77-81 | 70-74 | 62-66 | 80-84 |
| B.A. (Hons.) History | 81-85 | 75-79 | 68-72 | 60-64 | 78-82 |
CUET UG 2026 Category-wise Expected Cutoff Range
Here is a broad category-wise breakdown of expected CUET 2026 cutoffs across participating universities for general science, arts, and commerce programmes:
| Category | Science | Commerce | Arts/Humanities | Engineering-Allied | PwD |
| General / UR | 88-99 | 85-99 | 82-98 | 80-96 | 70-85 |
| OBC-NCL | 82-93 | 79-93 | 76-92 | 74-90 | 64-79 |
| SC | 74-87 | 72-87 | 69-85 | 67-83 | 57-72 |
| ST | 66-80 | 64-80 | 61-78 | 59-76 | 49-64 |
| EWS | 85-96 | 82-96 | 79-94 | 77-92 | 67-82 |
How to Check CUET 2026 Cutoff for Your University
Once the official CUET UG 2026 results are declared by NTA, here is how you can check and track cutoffs for your target universities:
- Visit NTA’s official website: cuet.samarth.ac.in and download your scorecard
- Note your normalised CUET score in each subject
- Visit the official admissions portal of your target university (e.g., ugadmission.uod.ac.in for DU)
- Check the merit list or first cutoff list published by the university
- Compare your score against the released cutoff for your preferred course and category
- If eligible, complete the online counselling or admission process within the given deadline
Important: Most universities participate in CSAS (Common Seat Allocation System) for DU admissions. Students must register separately on DU’s admission portal after CUET scores are released.
How CUET 2026 Score Is Calculated
Understanding how NTA calculates your CUET score helps you interpret expected cutoffs accurately. Here is the CUET UG 2026 marking scheme:
| Response Type | Marks Awarded | Section Applicable |
| Correct Answer | +5 marks | Section I, II, III |
| Wrong Answer | -1 mark (Negative Marking) | Section I, II, III |
| Unattempted Question | 0 (No deduction) | Section I, II, III |
| Maximum Marks per Subject | 200 marks (40 Qs x 5) | Domain Subjects |
Tips to Secure a Score Above CUET 2026 Expected Cutoff
If you are still preparing or planning for CUET 2027, here is how you can aim to score above the expected CUET cutoff and secure admission in a top university:
Focus on High-Weightage Topics
Domain-specific subjects like Accountancy, Economics, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics carry the most weight in CUET. Prioritise NCERT-based preparation and practise previous year CUET papers.
Attempt Mock Tests Regularly
Taking NTA-style mock tests on cuet-nta.com gives you a realistic idea of your expected score. Regular mock test analysis helps identify weak areas and improve time management — two critical factors in crossing the CUET cutoff threshold.
Language Section Strategy
Section IA and IB (Language papers) are often scoring sections. Vocabulary, reading comprehension, and grammar concepts from NCERT Class 11-12 English are directly applicable here.
General Test Preparation
The General Test (Section III) tests quantitative reasoning, logical reasoning, current affairs, and general knowledge. A consistent 30-minute daily practice routine can significantly boost your General Test score.
CUET Cutoff 2024 vs 2025 vs 2026 Expected — Trend Analysis
Here is a year-on-year cutoff comparison for top courses at premier universities to help identify trends:
| Course (General Category) | 2024 Cutoff | 2025 Cutoff | 2026 Expected | Trend |
| B.Com (Hons.) – SRCC DU | 98.5 | 98.75 | 98-99 | Stable/Rise |
| B.A. Economics – LSR DU | 97.25 | 97.5 | 97-98 | Stable |
| B.Sc. Physics – Hindu DU | 94.5 | 95 | 95-97 | Slight Rise |
| B.A. History – BHU | 83 | 83.5 | 83-87 | Stable/Rise |
| B.A. Mass Comm. – JMI | 87 | 88 | 88-92 | Rising |
| B.Sc. Life Sci. – JNU | 89 | 90 | 90-94 | Rising |
Conclusion
The CUET Expected Cutoff 2026 is a dynamic figure that depends on multiple variables including exam difficulty, number of applicants, and university-specific seat matrices. While the estimates provided here are based on historical trends and 2026 exam analysis, students must track official announcements from their target universities for final, accurate cutoff data.
For the most up-to-date information on CUET UG 2026 results, cutoffs, counselling schedule, and admission procedures, bookmark cuet-nta.com — your trusted resource for all CUET 2026 updates. Stay informed, stay ahead, and make your university dream a reality with the right preparation and strategic application.
Stay Updated: Check cuet-nta.com regularly for CUET 2026 university-wise cutoff lists, counselling updates, seat allotment news, and admission guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
CUET UG 2026 cutoffs are not released by NTA. Individual participating universities release their own merit lists and admission cutoffs after CUET results are declared. Most universities begin this process within 2-4 weeks of the CUET result announcement.
For top DU colleges and courses (like SRCC, LSR, Miranda House), a normalised score of 95+ in relevant domain subjects is considered competitive for General category candidates. For reserved categories, scores starting from 70-75+ are often sufficient for popular programmes.
No. Every university sets its own CUET cutoff independently. Premier central universities like DU, JNU, BHU, and Hyderabad Central University have higher cutoffs compared to state universities or newly affiliated institutions.
NTA does not publish a national qualifying cutoff for CUET UG. However, universities may have their own minimum score criteria for eligibility in specific programmes. Always check the university-specific information bulletin.
You can estimate your position by comparing your score with the expected cutoff ranges published by resources like cuet-nta.com. However, the final admission depends on the university merit list, seat availability, and your category-specific score ranking.
Based on initial exam analysis and the large number of registered candidates, CUET 2026 cutoffs for premier institutions are expected to remain stable or rise marginally, especially for high-demand courses like B.Com (Hons.), B.A. Economics, and B.Sc. Maths at DU colleges.
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