Universities Accepting CUET Scores in India

Universities Accepting CUET Scores in India 2026: Official List and Admission Guide

Universities Accepting CUET Scores in India 2026: Official List and Admission Guide

Last reviewed: 3 August 2026

Reviewed by Kaushik Kapoor

Co-founder and Director of Erudite, a premium MBA entrance coaching institute headquartered in Kolkata. He is an alumnus of XLRI Jamshedpur and St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, with over 25 years of experience in student mentoring, test-prep strategy and academic training.

Editorial disclosure: Erudite UG PrepLab is an Erudite programme. The participation and admission information in this guide is based on NTA and official university sources. Inclusion in the CUET list does not constitute an endorsement by Erudite.

The National Testing Agency’s 2026 participating-institution pages currently contain 243 institutions: 49 central universities, 36 state universities, 25 deemed universities, 126 private universities and 7 other government institutions. Students must still check whether their chosen programme accepts CUET and complete the university’s separate admission process.

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Suggested Alt Text: Student comparing CUET-participating universities and undergraduate eligibility requirements on a laptop

Suggested Caption: Start with programme eligibility, required CUET papers and the university’s separate admission process.

CUET Participating Institutions 2026: Category Summary

Institution CategoryNumber Listed by NTA
Central universities and institutions49
State universities and institutions36
Deemed universities25
Private universities and institutions126
Other government institutions7
Total243

Important: The list can be revised during an admission cycle. Always confirm the latest position on the NTA participating-universities page and then read the relevant university’s programme bulletin.

Important: A University’s Name on the List Does Not Cover Every Course

A participating university may use CUET scores for all, several or only a small number of its undergraduate programmes. It may also require:

  • A particular language, domain subject or General Aptitude Test.
  • Specific subjects in Class XII.
  • Minimum Class XII marks.
  • A practical, performance, physical-fitness or aptitude test.
  • A separate university application.
  • Document verification, reservation certificates or medical fitness.

NTA conducts the examination and provides the score. Universities prepare their own merit lists, conduct counselling and decide admissions under their published eligibility rules. Merely taking CUET does not guarantee admission.

Full List of Universities Accepting CUET Scores in India in 2026

The names below are organised according to NTA’s current categories. Capitalisation and punctuation have been standardised for readability.

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Suggested Alt Text: Map of India illustrating the nationwide spread of universities and institutions accepting CUET UG scores

Suggested Caption: CUET participation spans central, state, deemed, private and other government institutions across India.

Central Universities and Institutions Accepting CUET Scores

InstitutionInstitutionInstitution
Aligarh Muslim UniversityAssam University, SilcharBabasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University
Banaras Hindu UniversityCentral Sanskrit University, New DelhiCentral Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh
Central University of Andhra PradeshCentral University of GujaratCentral University of Haryana
Central University of Himachal PradeshCentral University of JammuCentral University of Jharkhand
Central University of KarnatakaCentral University of KashmirCentral University of Kerala
Central University of OdishaCentral University of PunjabCentral University of Rajasthan
Central University of South BiharCentral University of Tamil NaduDr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya
Guru Ghasidas VishwavidyalayaHemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal UniversityIndian Institute of Technology Dharwad
Indira Gandhi National Tribal UniversityJamia Millia IslamiaJawaharlal Nehru University
Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi VishwavidyalayaMahatma Gandhi Central UniversityManipur University
Maulana Azad National Urdu UniversityMizoram UniversityNagaland University
National Sanskrit UniversityNorth-Eastern Hill UniversityPondicherry University
Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation UniversityRajiv Gandhi UniversitySammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University
Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit UniversitySikkim University, GangtokSouth Asian University
Tezpur UniversityThe English and Foreign Languages University, HyderabadTripura University
University of AllahabadUniversity of DelhiUniversity of Hyderabad
Visva-Bharati University  

NTA currently lists 49 institutions in this category. See the official central-university list.

State Universities and Institutions Accepting CUET Scores

InstitutionInstitutionInstitution
Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah UniversityBarkatullah UniversityBhattadev University
Cluster University of JammuCluster University of SrinagarDelhi Teachers University
Delhi Technological UniversityDevi Ahilya VishwavidyalayaDibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, Assam
Dr. Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University, LucknowDr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical UniversityDr. B.R. Ambedkar School of Economics University
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha UniversityHarcourt Butler Technical University, KanpurIndian Institute of Teacher Education, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Islamia College of Science and CommerceIslamic University of Science and Technology, AwantiporaJagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyang State University
Jagannath Barooah UniversityKumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit and Ancient Studies UniversityMadan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology
Madhabdev University, Narayanpur, LakhimpurMaharaja Chhatrasal Bundelkhand UniversityMaharaja Surajmal Brij University, Bharatpur
Maharana Pratap Horticultural University, KarnalMakhanlal Chaturvedi UniversityNorth Lakhimpur College
Nowgong CollegeRatan Tata Maharashtra State Skills UniversitySardar Patel University of Police, Security and Criminal Justice
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi UniversitySibsagar UniversityUniversity of Jammu
University of KashmirUniversity of LadakhVikram University

NTA currently lists 36 institutions in this category. See the official state-university list.

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Suggested Alt Text: Student checking the official NTA CUET participating-university list and programme bulletins

Suggested Caption: The NTA list can change during an admission cycle, so applicants should verify the latest category pages.

Deemed Universities Accepting CUET Scores

InstitutionInstitutionInstitution
Aurora Higher Education and Research AcademyAvinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for WomenDayalbagh Educational Institute
GITAM, VisakhapatnamGITAM, BengaluruGITAM, Hyderabad
Gokhale Institute of Politics and EconomicsGraphic Era (Deemed to be University)Gujarat Vidyapith
Gurukula KangriICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, HyderabadIIS (Deemed to be University), Jaipur
Jamia HamdardJaypee Institute of Information TechnologyLakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education
Lingaya’s VidyapeethMaharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), MullanaManav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies
Nehru Gram Bharati (Deemed to be University)Shobhit Institute of Engineering and TechnologySRM Institute of Science and Technology, NCR Campus
Tata Institute of Social SciencesTERI School of Advanced StudiesThe Gandhigram Rural Institute (DTBU)
Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation  

NTA currently lists 25 deemed universities. See the official deemed-university list.

Private Universities and Institutions Accepting CUET Scores

InstitutionInstitutionInstitution
Abhyuday UniversityAdani UniversityAjeenkya D.Y. Patil University, Pune
AKS UniversityAmity University, Greater Noida CampusAmity University, West Bengal
Amity University JharkhandAmity University NoidaAmity University Patna
Amity University PunjabApeejay Stya UniversityApex University, Jaipur
Arka Jain UniversityArunachal University of StudiesASBM University
Assam Down Town University, GuwahatiAvantika UniversityAzim Premji University
Babu Banarasi Das UniversityBareilly International University, BareillyBennett University
Bhagwant Global University, KotdwarBhagwant UniversityBirla Global University
BML Munjal UniversityBrainware UniversityCareer College (Autonomous), Bhopal
Career Point University, KotaCenturion University of Technology and ManagementChanakya University
Chandigarh UniversityChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj UniversityChitkara University, Punjab
CMR UniversityCOER UniversityCT University, Ludhiana
DIT University, DehradunEternal UniversityFuture University, Bareilly
G.D. Goenka University, Gurugram, NCRGalgotias UniversityGeeta University
GLA University, MathuraGopal Narayan Singh UniversityGraphic Era Hill University, Dehradun
Haridwar UniversityHimalayan University, ItanagarHRIT University, Ghaziabad
IFTM University, MoradabadIILM University, Greater NoidaIILM University, Gurugram
IIMT UniversityIMS Unison UniversityInvertis University
Islamic University of Science and Technology, KashmirITM Skills UniversityITM University Gwalior
Jagannath University, Delhi NCR, Bahadurgarh, HaryanaJagannath University, Jaipur, RajasthanJaipur National University
JECRC University, JaipurJharkhand Rai UniversityJoy University
K.R. Mangalam UniversityKalinga University, New Raipur, ChhattisgarhKarnavati University
Lovely Professional UniversityMadhav UniversityMahindra University, Hyderabad
Manav Rachna University, FaridabadMangalayatan University, AligarhMangalayatan University, Jabalpur
Manipal University JaipurMaya Devi University, DehradunMewar University
Mind Power UniversityMNR UniversityMody University
NIIT UniversityNoida International UniversityOm Sterling Global University
Pearl Academy (CAES)Rabindranath Tagore UniversityRakshpal Bahadur Management Institute, Bareilly
Ramaiah University of Applied SciencesRenaissance UniversityREVA University
Rishihood University, SonepatRNB Global UniversityRV University
SAGE University, IndoreSanjeev Agrawal Global Educational University, BhopalSanskaram University, Jhajjar
Sanskriti UniversitySardar Bhagwan Singh University, Balawala, Dehradun, UttarakhandSchool of Management Sciences, Varanasi
SGT UniversitySharda University, AgraSharda University, Greater Noida
Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management SciencesShri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara UniversitySikkim Manipal University
Sikkim Professional UniversitySir Padampat Singhania University, UdaipurSister Nivedita University, Kolkata
SR UniversitySRM University, Andhra PradeshSRM University Delhi-NCR, Sonepat
Sunbeam College for Women, Bhagwanpur, VaranasiSuresh Gyan Vihar University, JaipurSushant University, Gurugram
Swami Vivekanand Subharti UniversityTantia UniversityTeerthanker Mahaveer University
The ICFAI University, DehradunThe ICFAI University, Himachal PradeshThe ICFAI University, Jaipur
The ICFAI University, JharkhandThe ICFAI University, RaipurUnited University, Prayagraj
University of Engineering and Management, JaipurUPES, DehradunUsha Martin University, Ranchi
Vidya University, MeerutVivekananda Global UniversityWorld University of Design

NTA currently lists 126 private institutions. CUET participation alone does not establish academic quality, recognition, accreditation or placement performance. See the official private-university list.

Other Government Institutions Accepting CUET Scores

InstitutionInstitutionInstitution
Footwear Design and Development InstituteGovernment College for Women, Parade Ground, JammuIndian Council of Agricultural Research
Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel ManagementNational Forensic Sciences UniversityNational Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli
Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology  

NTA currently lists seven institutions in this category. See the official other-government-institutions list.

What Is CUET UG?

The Common University Entrance Test for undergraduate programmes is conducted by the National Testing Agency. It provides participating institutions with a common entrance-test score, but it does not replace their programme eligibility rules or admission portals.

For CUET UG 2026, candidates could choose up to five subjects, including languages and the General Aptitude Test. Each paper contained 50 compulsory questions, with five marks for a correct response and a one-mark penalty for an incorrect response. These details are set out in the official CUET UG 2026 Information Bulletin.

How Admission Through CUET Works

  1. Check programme eligibility

    Before selecting CUET papers, identify the exact programme and university. Check:

    • Required CUET language and domain papers.
    • Whether the General Aptitude Test is needed.
    • Class XII subject requirements.
    • Minimum qualifying marks.
    • Programme-specific practical or performance tests.
  2. Take the required CUET papers

    A high score in an unrelated paper may not help if that paper is not accepted for the chosen programme.

  3. Download the NTA scorecard

    The scorecard records the candidate’s performance. For papers held in multiple shifts, NTA may use its prescribed normalisation procedure.

  4. Register separately with each university

    Submitting the CUET application does not automatically register a candidate for every university.

    After results, candidates generally need to:

    1. Open the university’s admission portal.
    2. Register with their CUET application details.
    3. Enter academic and category information.
    4. Upload documents.
    5. Select programmes, campuses or colleges.
    6. Arrange preferences in order.
    7. Pay the university application fee.
    8. Monitor allocation or merit-list rounds.
  5. Complete allocation, verification and fee payment

    An offered seat usually has a deadline for acceptance, document verification and fee payment. Missing one of these steps can result in cancellation.

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Suggested Alt Text: Flowchart showing CUET admission steps from checking eligibility and taking required papers to university registration and fee payment

Suggested Caption: CUET scores are only one part of the process; universities manage their own applications, allocations and verification.

Popular CUET Universities: What Applicants Should Know

University of Delhi

University of Delhi UG admissions are conducted through the university’s Common Seat Allocation System. Candidates must submit programme–college preferences, after which the university makes centralised allocations using CUET scores, eligibility, category, preference order and seat availability.

Individual DU colleges do not independently conduct a conventional cut-off process for these admissions.

Banaras Hindu University

BHU requires eligible CUET candidates to register through its own undergraduate admission process. Applicants must read the BHU bulletin and CAP-UG instructions, choose programme preferences and meet the relevant subject and Class XII criteria.

Jawaharlal Nehru University

JNU uses CUET UG for the undergraduate and Certificate of Proficiency programmes specified in its prospectus. Its undergraduate portfolio is narrower than that of a large multi-college university, making programme-level verification particularly important. Applicants should check the JNU admissions portal.

University of Hyderabad

For 2026–27, the University of Hyderabad invited CUET UG candidates to apply for 17 undergraduate and integrated postgraduate programmes, including science, humanities and social-science options. Candidates had to submit a separate university application through the University of Hyderabad admission page.

AMU, Jamia and Other Participating Universities

A university’s presence on the NTA central-university list should not be interpreted to mean that every undergraduate programme is covered. Check the institution’s current prospectus for:

  • Programmes using CUET.
  • Required papers.
  • Minimum eligibility.
  • Additional selection stages.
  • Registration dates and fees.

How to Check CUET Subject Mapping

Subject mapping is one of the most important parts of CUET planning.

Create a worksheet with these columns:

UniversityProgrammeClass XII RequirementCUET Papers RequiredAdditional TestApplication Portal

Complete this exercise before finalising CUET papers.

For example, two universities may offer B.Com. (Hons.) but use different acceptable combinations of language, Mathematics, Accountancy and other domain subjects. University of Delhi also applies its own rule about considering subjects studied and passed in Class XII for relevant programme combinations.

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Suggested Alt Text: Applicant preparing a CUET subject-mapping worksheet with university, programme, Class XII and test-paper requirements

Suggested Caption: Subject mapping helps prevent an ineligible CUET paper combination.

What Is a Good CUET Score?

There is no universal good or safe CUET score because:

  • Programmes use different subject combinations.
  • The calculated merit total can differ.
  • Competition varies by university and course.
  • Category and reservation rules affect allocation.
  • Seat numbers and applicant volumes change.
  • Practical or performance components may apply.
  • Universities may publish allocation scores rather than one national cut-off.

A more reliable approach is to compare your score with:

  1. The exact programme’s required subjects.
  2. Previous allocation-round scores from the university.
  3. Your category and applicable quota.
  4. Current seat availability.
  5. The likely competitiveness of your programme–institution combination.

Quick Summary: Treat previous-year scores as planning references, not admission guarantees.

How to Build a Balanced CUET Preference List

Divide your options into three groups.

Aspirational choices

These are competitive programmes where your current score or mock-score range is below or close to previous allocation levels.

Target choices

These are programmes where your score range appears broadly competitive based on past official data and your eligibility.

Backup choices

These are acceptable programmes with a wider apparent margin. A backup should still meet your academic, financial and location requirements; it should not be an institution selected without research.

Within each group, arrange preferences in your genuine order of choice. Do not place a less-preferred programme above one you would actually choose merely because you believe it is easier to obtain.

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Suggested Alt Text: CUET preference list organised into aspirational, target and backup programme choices

Suggested Caption: Arrange every choice in the genuine order in which you would accept it.

Factors to Compare Beyond the University Name

Recognition and accreditation

Check whether the university is listed by the University Grants Commission. For relevant institutions, review current NAAC accreditation details.

Department strength

Evaluate the specific department rather than relying only on the university’s overall reputation.

Review:

  • Faculty profiles.
  • Course structure and electives.
  • Laboratories or research facilities.
  • Internships and fieldwork.
  • Alumni outcomes.
  • Postgraduate pathways.

Placement data

Do not rely only on the highest package. Look for:

  • Median salary.
  • Number and percentage of students placed.
  • Programme-level outcomes.
  • Recruiter diversity.
  • Internship conversion.
  • The reporting year and batch size.

Total cost

Calculate:

  • Tuition and academic fees.
  • Hostel and mess expenses.
  • Transport.
  • Deposits.
  • Books and equipment.
  • Travel home.
  • Likely annual fee increases.

Location and student support

Consider commute, accommodation, safety, language, climate, accessibility, health services, scholarships, counselling and disability support.

Rankings

Official rankings can be one comparison input, but they should not replace programme-level research. NIRF methodology covers multiple institutional factors and is not a direct predictor of an individual student’s experience or placement result.

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Suggested Alt Text: Checklist comparing university recognition, department strength, placements, total cost and student support

Suggested Caption: Compare the specific programme and department—not only the university name.

Common CUET Admission Mistakes

Assuming that CUET registration completes the admission process

Most universities require a separate application after the result.

Choosing papers without checking programme rules

A strong score cannot compensate for an ineligible subject combination.

Using only last year’s cut-off

Previous allocation scores can guide planning, but they do not predict the current year with certainty.

Filling only highly competitive preferences

Include ambitious, target and backup choices.

Ranking preferences strategically instead of honestly

Place choices in the order in which you would genuinely accept them. Allocation systems normally try to provide the highest available preference for which the candidate is eligible.

Ignoring deadlines after seat allocation

Monitor the portal for acceptance, document-verification and payment deadlines.

Treating CUET participation as a quality certificate

Verify UGC recognition, accreditation, programme approvals, fees and outcomes separately.

Documents Commonly Required During CUET Counselling

Exact requirements vary, but candidates should ordinarily keep clear copies of:

  • CUET application form and scorecard.
  • Class X certificate or date-of-birth proof.
  • Class XII mark sheet and passing certificate.
  • Recent photographs.
  • Government identity proof.
  • Category, EWS or OBC-NCL certificate, where applicable.
  • PwBD, defence, sports or ECA documentation, where applicable.
  • Migration or transfer certificate when requested.
  • Domicile or residence certificate for applicable quotas.
  • Character certificate.
  • University registration and fee receipts.

Use only the document formats and issue dates specified by the university.

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Suggested Alt Text: CUET scorecard, Class X and XII certificates, identity proof and category documents arranged for counselling

Suggested Caption: Use the exact document formats and issue dates specified by each university.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many universities accept CUET UG scores in 2026?

The current NTA category pages contain 243 participating institutions: 49 central, 36 state, 25 deemed, 126 private and 7 other government institutions. The list may be updated during the admission cycle.

Does every course at a participating university accept CUET?

No. Participation can be programme-specific. Read the university’s current admission bulletin and eligibility table before applying.

Can I use one CUET score for more than one university?

Yes, provided you meet each programme’s eligibility conditions. However, you usually need to register separately on each university’s admission portal.

Is the CUET application form sufficient for DU admission?

No. Candidates seeking DU admission must also complete the university’s CSAS process and submit programme–college preferences.

Is there a universal safe CUET score?

No. The required score depends on the programme, accepted paper combination, university, category, seat availability and admission round.

Do Class XII marks matter after CUET?

They can matter for minimum eligibility, required subjects and tie-breaking. Their role varies by university and programme.

Does accepting CUET mean a private university is UGC recognised?

Not necessarily. CUET participation and UGC recognition are separate checks. Confirm the institution’s current status in the official UGC database.

Who conducts CUET counselling?

There is no single NTA counselling process for all participating universities. Each university or institution manages its own admission, counselling or seat-allocation process.

Final Checklist Before Applying

Confirm all of the following:

  • The university appears on the current NTA list.
  • Your programme uses CUET UG.
  • You took the required CUET papers.
  • You meet the Class XII subject and marks criteria.
  • You completed the separate university application.
  • Your category documents use the required format.
  • Your preferences are in genuine order.
  • You understand the fees and refund rules.
  • You are monitoring allocation deadlines.
  • You have verified recognition, accreditation and programme quality.

Conclusion

The number of institutions accepting CUET scores gives students a wide range of choices, but the NTA list is only a starting point. The decisive questions are whether the specific programme accepts your CUET papers, whether you meet its Class XII eligibility rules and whether you complete the university’s separate application on time.

Build your list around programme fit, verified eligibility, affordability and realistic score comparisons—not name recognition alone.

How Erudite UG PrepLab Can Support Applicants

Erudite UG PrepLab provides preparation and admission-planning support, including subject-mapping discussions, mock-score reviews and preference-list guidance. Students should independently verify all programme and admission information through NTA and official university portals before making an application or enrolment decision.

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