CUET Registration 2026 was one of the most critical steps for every student aspiring to secure undergraduate admission at India’s top central, state, deemed, and private universities. Conducted entirely online by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the CUET UG 2026 registration process opened on January 3, 2026, and went through multiple extensions before finally closing on February 26, 2026. With the CUET UG 2026 exam now scheduled from May 11 to May 31, 2026, this complete guide walks you through everything about the registration — from eligibility and documents to fee structure and common mistakes to avoid.
CUET Registration 2026: Key Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CUET UG 2026 Notification Released | January 3, 2026 |
| Registration Window Opened | January 3, 2026 |
| January 3, 2026 | January 3, 2026 |
| Extended Registration Last Date | February 4, 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| February 4, 2026 (11:50 PM) | February 4, 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | February 9–11, 2026 |
| Registration Reopened by NTA | Registration Reopened by NTA |
| Registration Reopened by NTA | February 26, 2026 ✅ Closed |
| Subject Correction Window | Closed on April 19, 2026 ✅ |
| Photo/ID Mismatch Correction | April 7–16, 2026 ✅ |
| CUET UG 2026 Exam Dates | May 11–31, 2026 |
Status Update (April 2026): The CUET UG 2026 registration window is now permanently closed. Candidates who successfully registered are now waiting for the subject-wise datesheet, city intimation slip, and admit card.
What is CUET Registration 2026?
CUET UG 2026 registration is the official single-window process for students seeking undergraduate admission to Central, State, Deemed, and participating private universities across India. Through one application and one national-level examination, candidates can apply to multiple universities simultaneously — eliminating the need to appear for separate university entrance tests.
The registration process for CUET UG 2026 was entirely online through the official portal cuet.nta.nic.in. No offline applications were accepted. Over 14 lakh candidates registered for CUET UG 2026, making it one of the largest undergraduate entrance exams in the country.
CUET Registration 2026: Eligibility Criteria
Before filling the CUET UG 2026 application form, every candidate must have met the following eligibility requirements:
Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (10+2) from a recognized board in 2026. Students who were appearing for their board exams could also register by selecting the “Appearing” status.
Minimum Marks: A minimum aggregate of 45% marks is required for General (UR) category candidates, and 40% for SC/ST/OBC reserved category candidates. However, this is the NTA standard — individual universities may have higher or different requirements.
Age Limit: There is no upper age limit for CUET UG 2026. Candidates of any age who meet the educational qualification can apply.
Nationality: Indian nationals are eligible to apply. Foreign nationals, NRI, and OCI candidates can also apply as per NTA rules.
New for 2026 — No Subject Restrictions: A significant change introduced by UGC for CUET 2026 is that candidates can now choose any subject regardless of what they studied in Class 12. This gives students greater flexibility to apply for diverse undergraduate programs.
Note: Meeting CUET eligibility does not automatically guarantee university admission. Each participating university has its own course-specific eligibility criteria. Always verify requirements at the respective university’s official website before selecting subjects.
Documents Required for CUET Registration 2026
Documents to Upload During Registration
| Document | Format | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Recent Passport-size Photograph | Recent Passport-size Photograph | 10 KB – 200 KB |
| Scanned Signature (Black Ink) | JPG/JPEG | 10 KB – 50 KB |
| Valid Government-issued Photo ID (Aadhaar/PAN/Passport/Voter ID) | JPG/JPEG or PDF | 10 KB – 200 KB |
Photograph Specifications: The photograph must be in colour or black and white, with 80% of the face visible (including ears, without mask), taken against a plain white background. The image should be recent, clearly legible, and free from shadows.
Signature Specifications: The signature must be in black ink on white paper, scanned clearly, and saved in JPG/JPEG format between 10 KB and 50 KB.
Live Photograph (New in 2026): NTA made uploading a live photograph mandatory for CUET UG 2026 registration. Candidates were required to enable their webcam or use a QR code scan via mobile to capture a live photo directly on the registration portal.
Documents NOT Required at Registration (Needed at Counselling)
- Class 12 marksheet (appearing candidates do not need to upload final marks)
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS — required only at counselling/admission stage)
- PwBD certificate (needed at exam hall and counselling, not mandatory at registration)
Pro Tip: All uploaded documents must have exact spellings, correct date of birth, and match official records. Mismatches can lead to application rejection or issues at the admit card stage — as NTA opened a special correction window in April 2026 specifically for photo/ID mismatches.
CUET Registration 2026: Step-by-Step Process
The CUET UG 2026 registration was completed in six stages. Here is the complete process for reference:
Step 1 — New Registration
- Visit the official website: cuet.nta.nic.in
- Click on “New Registration“ on the homepage
- Enter your name, date of birth, gender, mobile number, and email ID
- Create a strong password following NTA’s password policy
- Verify your mobile number and email via OTP
- Note down your system-generated Application Number — this is your login ID for all future access
Step 2 — Fill the Application Form
- Log in using your Application Number and password
- Enter personal details (parent’s name, category, nationality, ID type)
- Provide Class 10 and Class 12 academic details (board name, passing year, roll number, marks/grades — exactly as per marksheets)
- Select your exam medium (language in which you want to appear)
Step 3 — Subject Selection
- Choose up to 5 subjects from the 37 available options (13 languages + 23 domain subjects + General Test)
- Select subjects aligned with your target university and course requirements
- Check the subject-course mapping carefully — NTA’s information bulletin includes specific subject codes
- Subject choices directly affect the total application fee payable
Step 4 — Upload Documents
- Upload your live/scanned photograph and signature as per prescribed specifications
- Upload valid photo ID proof
- Ensure all files are in the correct format, size, and resolution — blurry or incorrect files can lead to rejection or delay in admit card generation
Step 5 — Select Exam Cities
- Choose at least 4 preferred exam cities in order of preference
- NTA allots centres based on preferences and administrative availability
- The final allotted city appears on the city intimation slip, and the full centre address is on the admit card
- Exam city once allotted cannot be changed
CUET Registration 2026: Application Fee Structure
The CUET UG 2026 registration fee varies based on the candidate’s category and the number of subjects selected:
| Category | Fee for Up to 3 Subjects | Fee per Additional Subject |
|---|---|---|
| General / Unreserved (UR) | ₹1,000 | ₹400 per subject |
| OBC-NCL / EWS | ₹900 | ₹375 per subject |
| SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | ₹800 | ₹350 per subject |
| Centres Outside India | ₹4,500 (up to 3 subjects) | Additional charges apply |
Payment Methods: Online only — Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI. The application fee is non-refundable once paid.
Important: The CUET application is considered successfully submitted only after the fee payment is completed and the confirmation page is generated. An incomplete fee payment means an invalid application.
CUET Registration 2026: Correction Window Details
NTA provided a limited-time correction window after the registration process, allowing candidates to rectify certain details in their submitted forms.
Main Correction Window: February 9–11, 2026 — Candidates could correct select details such as photograph, signature, preferred exam cities, and subject choices (within limits).
Subject Correction Window (April 2026): NTA reopened a separate subject modification window, allowing candidates to update their subject combinations to align with university eligibility criteria. This window closed on April 19, 2026 at 11:50 PM.
Photo/ID Mismatch Correction (April 7–16, 2026): A special window was opened for candidates whose photographs did not match their submitted identity proof documents. Candidates with such discrepancies had to upload corrected documents to receive their admit cards.
What Could Be Changed in the Correction Window?
- Selected subjects (subject to fee payment for additions)
- Preferred exam cities
- Photograph and signature
- Certain personal details (based on NTA bulletin)
What Could NOT Be Changed?
- Registered mobile number and email ID
- Name (as entered during registration)
- Date of birth
- Category
CUET Registration 2026: What Happens After Registration?
Once registration was successfully completed, here is what follows for registered candidates:
- Subject-wise Datesheet (Expected: 3rd week of April 2026): NTA releases a PDF showing the exam date and shift for each of the 37 subjects.
- City Intimation Slip (Expected: Last week of April 2026): Released approximately 10 days before the exam, it informs candidates about the city where their exam centre is located.
- Admit Card (Expected: 1st week of May 2026): Released 2–3 days before each candidate’s exam date. The admit card contains the full exam centre address, shift timing, and exam day instructions. Entry to the exam hall is strictly not allowed without a printed admit card and valid photo ID.
- CUET UG 2026 Exam: May 11–31, 2026 in CBT mode across 300+ Indian cities and 24 international locations.
- Result: Expected in June/early July 2026 at cuet.nta.nic.in.
- Counselling: Each participating university conducts its own counselling. Candidates must register separately on university portals after the result is declared. For Delhi University, registration is done via the CSAS portal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in CUET Registration
Many candidates face problems during registration due to avoidable errors. Here are the most critical mistakes to watch out for (useful for future applicants):
1. Wrong Personal Details: Always enter your name, date of birth, and category exactly as they appear in your official documents. Mismatches cause issues at later stages.
2. Using Someone Else’s Email/Mobile: NTA sends all official communications (confirmation, admit card alerts, result notifications) to the registered email and mobile number. Always use your own contact details.
3. Incorrect Photo Upload: A blurred, incorrectly sized, or wrong-background photo leads to automatic rejection. Ensure the live photograph is clear, recent, and as per specifications.
4. Not Downloading the Confirmation Page: This is proof of successful registration. Do not skip this step, as it serves as a record of your application.
5. Choosing Wrong Subjects: Selecting subjects that don’t align with your target university’s course requirements is a common error. Always verify the subject-course mapping from the university’s admission notification before submitting.
6. Waiting Until the Last Day: NTA’s servers handle millions of simultaneous users near deadlines. Technical issues are common. Always submit your form well before the last date.
Final Word
The CUET Registration 2026 process was a crucial first step for over 14 lakh students aiming for admission to top universities across India. While the registration window is now closed, registered candidates must stay focused on exam preparation, keep checking cuet.nta.nic.in for the upcoming datesheet and city intimation slip, and ensure their documents are ready for the exam centre.
For the next academic year, aspiring candidates are advised to track the NTA’s official website from October/November onwards for early notification alerts. Stay connected with cuet-nta.com for the latest news, admit card updates, answer keys, results, and counselling guidance for CUET UG 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
The CUET UG 2026 registration window closed permanently on February 26, 2026. No new registrations are being accepted.
The final last date for CUET UG 2026 registration was February 26, 2026 (11:50 PM), after NTA reopened the window for the second time on February 23.
The official website is cuet.nta.nic.in. All registrations, corrections, admit card downloads, and result announcements are done through this portal.
No. The registration window is closed. Candidates who missed the deadline cannot register for CUET UG 2026.
Candidates can select a maximum of 5 subjects — from a combination of language tests, domain-specific subjects, and the General Aptitude Test.
No. There is no upper age limit for CUET UG 2026. Any candidate who has passed or is appearing in Class 12 can apply.
Yes. NTA made a live photograph mandatory for CUET UG 2026 registration. Candidates had to capture a photo directly via webcam or mobile QR code on the portal.
Yes. Students appearing in Class 12 in 2026 were eligible to register by selecting the "Appearing" status. Final marksheets are required only at the counselling stage.
No. Category certificates are not required at the registration stage but are mandatory during university counselling and admission.
No. Only candidates who have completed the registration process, paid the application fee, and have a valid confirmation page are eligible to appear for CUET UG 2026.
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