The CUET UG 2026 examination began on May 11, 2026, with the National Testing Agency (NTA) successfully conducting the Day 1 exam across India and international centres. As per official data, more than 1.24 lakh candidates appeared in the first day of the Common University Entrance Test for undergraduate admissions 2026–27.
CUET UG 2026 Day 1 Overview
The exam was conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode in two shifts, covering multiple domain subjects and languages.
- Exam Date: 11 May 2026
- Mode: CBT (Online)
- Shifts: 2 (Morning & Afternoon)
- Total Candidates (Day 1): 1,24,020+
- Exam Centres: 300+ centres across shifts
CUET UG 2026 Shift-Wise Statistics
| CUET UG 2026 Shift-Wise Statistics |
| Particulars |
Shift 1 |
Shift 2 |
Total |
| Candidates Appeared |
63,247 |
60,773 |
1,24,020 |
| Exam Centres |
314 |
281 |
- |
| Subjects Conducted |
8 |
8 |
- |
The examination was reported to be conducted smoothly across all centres without major disruptions.
Subjects Conducted on CUET UG 2026 Day 1
Shift 1 Subjects
- English
- Accountancy / Book Keeping
- Business Studies
- Chemistry
- Economics / Business Economics
- Geography / Geology
- History
- Political Science
Shift 2 Subjects
- English
- Accountancy / Book Keeping
- Business Studies
- Computer Science / Informatics Practices
- Economics / Business Economics
- History
- Political Science
- Sociology
Students were advised to strictly follow their admit card instructions regarding shift timing and subject allocation.
CUET UG 2026 Registration Statistics
This year, CUET UG has recorded massive participation:
- Total Registered Candidates: 15.68 lakh+
- Total Subject Combinations: 67.56 lakh+ attempts
- Average Subjects per Student: 4.31
This reflects increasing participation and flexibility in central university admissions.
Most Preferred Subjects in CUET UG 2026
- English – 12.64 lakh registrations
- Chemistry – 9.51 lakh
- Physics – 9.14 lakh
- General Aptitude Test – 9.12 lakh
- Mathematics – 5.81 lakh
- Biology – 5.56 lakh
English remains the most opted subject, followed by science stream subjects.
CUET UG 2026 Exam Pattern & Mode
The CUET UG 2026 exam is conducted in CBT mode only, covering:
- Language papers
- Domain-specific subjects
- General Aptitude Test
Key guidelines:
- Carry admit card + valid ID proof
- Follow reporting time strictly
- No electronic gadgets allowed
CUET UG 2026 Competition Analysis
Experts suggest rising competition this year due to:
- Higher number of subject combinations
- Strong demand for science and commerce streams
- Increased flexibility under NEP-based admissions
Expected trends:
- High cut-offs in top universities
- Aptitude Test becoming more important
- Wider subject selection improving admission chances
CUET UG 2026 Exam Schedule & Next Updates
The CUET UG 2026 exam will continue till May 31, 2026, across multiple phases. Students are advised to regularly check:
- Admit card updates
- Subject-wise schedule
- Exam city details
Important Instructions for Students
- Reach centre before reporting time
- Carry printed admit card + ID proof
- Avoid prohibited items
- Follow CBT instructions carefully
- Stay updated via official NTA website