Are you preparing for CUET 2026 and wondering which universities will accept your score? You are not alone. Every year, thousands of students search for the updated list of CUET-participating institutions before finalising their exam strategy. The good news is that CUET 2026 opens the doors to 300+ universities across India — giving you more choices than ever before.
In this article, we bring you the complete, updated list of all universities accepting CUET 2026 scores, categorised by type, along with key details, top picks, and practical admission tips.
What Is CUET 2026?
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG 2026) is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and serves as a single-window entrance examination for undergraduate admissions across India. Introduced in 2022, CUET has rapidly grown in reach and importance, replacing individual university entrance tests for most central universities and many state, deemed, and private institutions.
CUET UG 2026 is scheduled to be held from May 11 to May 31, 2026, in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across 380+ cities in India and 26 cities abroad.
How Many Universities Accept CUET 2026?
According to the latest data released by NTA, a total of 300+ institutions are participating in CUET UG 2026. Here is a quick category-wise breakdown:
| Category | Number of Universities |
|---|---|
| Category | Number of Universities |
| Central Universities | 47–50 |
| State Universities | 36–42 |
| Deemed Universities | 30–34 |
| Private Universities | 130–167 |
| Other Government Institutions | 5–10 |
| Total | 300+ |
Note: The list is dynamic and grows every year. Always verify the latest count on the official NTA CUET website: cuet.nta.nic.in
Central Universities Accepting CUET 2026
Central universities are established and funded directly by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament. A key point to remember: all 47+ central universities admit undergraduate students exclusively through CUET scores — there is no separate entrance test.
Some of the most sought-after central universities participating in CUET 2026 include:
- University of Delhi (DU) — New Delhi
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) — New Delhi
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU) — Varanasi, UP
- Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) — Aligarh, UP
- Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) — New Delhi
- University of Hyderabad — Hyderabad, Telangana
- Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) — Lucknow, UP
- Central University of Gujarat — Gandhinagar
- Central University of Andhra Pradesh — Anantapur
- Central University of Rajasthan — Ajmer
- Central University of Karnataka — Kalaburagi
- Central University of Punjab — Bathinda
- Central University of Jammu — Jammu
- Central University of Kashmir — Srinagar
- Central University of Kerala — Kasaragod
- Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University — Uttarakhand
- Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) — Amarkantak, MP
- Mahatma Gandhi Central University — Motihari, Bihar
- Central Sanskrit University — New Delhi
- Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University — Telangana (newly added for 2026)
- Sanskrit University, Delhi (newly added for 2026)
- NFSU Delhi and Gujarat Campus (recently added)
Pro Tip: If your target is DU, JNU, or BHU, your CUET score is the only factor that determines your admission. Focus your preparation accordingly.
State Universities Accepting CUET 2026
State universities are established and funded by respective state governments. For many state universities, CUET scores are accepted for select courses or a specific number of seats. It is advisable to verify admission policies directly with each university.
Some notable state universities participating in CUET 2026 include:
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University Delhi — New Delhi
- Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) — New Delhi
- Rajiv Gandhi University — Arunachal Pradesh
- Assam University — Silchar, Assam
- Tripura University — Tripura
- Manipur University — Imphal
- Mizoram University — Aizawl
- Nagaland University — Kohima
- Sikkim University — Gangtok
- Tezpur University — Assam
There are 36–42 state universities accepting CUET UG 2026 scores. Always check whether your preferred course at a state university requires a CUET score or has other admission criteria.
Deemed Universities Accepting CUET 2026
Deemed-to-be universities are institutions granted special status by the UGC under Section 3 of the UGC Act on the recommendation of the central government. CUET 2026 has around 30–34 deemed universities in its participating list.
Notable deemed universities accepting CUET 2026 scores:
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) — Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Jamia Hamdard — New Delhi
- Symbiosis International University — Pune, Maharashtra
- Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham — Tamil Nadu
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education — Karnataka
- BITS Pilani (select programmes)
- Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) — Tamil Nadu (select programmes)
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University — Jammu & Kashmir
Private Universities Accepting CUET 2026
The private university segment is the largest category in CUET 2026, with 130–167 private universities accepting CUET scores. These institutions are formed through state legislative acts but are managed by private trusts or societies, and must be UGC-accredited.
Some well-known private universities in the CUET 2026 list:
- Lovely Professional University (LPU) — Punjab
- Sharda University — Greater Noida, UP
- Amity University — Multiple campuses
- Chandigarh University — Punjab
- Bennett University — Greater Noida, UP
- GD Goenka University — Haryana
- Manav Rachna International University — Faridabad, Haryana
- Nirma University — Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- KIIT University — Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- SRM University — Tamil Nadu and other campuses
Important: Many private universities accept CUET scores for specific programmes only. Always check the official admission page of each private university before applying.
Other Government Institutions Accepting CUET 2026
Apart from the four main categories, there are 5–10 other government institutions that also accept CUET 2026 scores. These include specialised national institutions that are highly competitive.
Top 10 Universities to Target Through CUET 2026 (Based on NIRF 2025 Rankings)
According to the NIRF 2025 rankings, the top universities accepting CUET scores are:
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) — New Delhi
- Jamia Millia Islamia — New Delhi
- University of Delhi (DU) — New Delhi
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU) — Varanasi
- Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) — Aligarh
- University of Hyderabad — Hyderabad
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) — Mumbai
- Central University of Punjab — Bathinda
- Mahatma Gandhi Central University — Bihar
- GGSIPU — New Delhi
How to Apply to Universities Through CUET 2026?
Here is a step-by-step guide for applying to universities after your CUET UG 2026 exam:
- Appear in CUET UG 2026 (May 11–31, 2026) and download your scorecard from cuet.nta.nic.in once results are declared.
- Check the official CUET participating universities list and shortlist universities based on your preferred course and score.
- Visit each university’s official website separately to fill out their individual admission/counselling form. Note that there is no common application for all CUET universities.
- Check eligibility criteria carefully — each university may have its own cut-off percentile, subject requirements, and academic qualifications.
- Keep documents ready — Class 10 & 12 marksheets, CUET scorecard, identity proof, photographs, and category certificates (if applicable).
- Attend counselling or merit list rounds as announced by each university and complete the admission process within the given deadline.
Important Points to Remember
- CUET UG 2026 is conducted in CBT mode across 380+ cities in India and 26 cities abroad.
- For 2026, the exam has been streamlined — reduced to 37 subject papers, with no optional questions and only 13 language options.
- Students can choose up to 5 subjects in total across language, domain, and general test sections.
- IITs do not accept CUET scores — admission to IITs is through JEE Advanced.
- The CUET 2026 participating university list is updated regularly by NTA; always check the official website for the latest additions.
- Two new institutions — Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University and Sanskrit University, Delhi — have been recently added to the 2026 list.
Conclusion
CUET 2026 is truly a game-changer for undergraduate admissions in India. With 300+ universities — spanning central, state, deemed, and private institutions — accepting a single CUET score, students now have an unprecedented number of high-quality options at their fingertips. Whether your dream is to study at Delhi University, JNU, BHU, or a top private university, CUET 2026 gives you the platform to make it happen.
Stay updated on the complete and latest list of CUET 2026 participating universities at cuet-nta.com and make your higher education journey count.
Frequently Asked Questions
Over 300 universities — including 47 central, 42 state, 34 deemed, 167 private, and 10 other government institutions — are part of CUET UG 2026.
Based on NIRF 2025 rankings, the top universities are JNU, DU, BHU, AMU, and Jamia Millia Islamia.
Yes. You can apply to multiple universities participating in CUET UG, depending on eligibility and courses offered. Each university has a separate application process.
Yes, both Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) are participating in CUET 2026.
No. IIT admissions are conducted through JEE Main and JEE Advanced, not CUET.
No. Each university conducts its own counselling and admission process separately. Candidates must apply to each university individually.
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