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

CUET Participating Institutions 2026: Category Summary

Institution Category	Number Listed by NTA
Central universities and institutions	49
State universities and institutions	36
Deemed universities	25
Private universities and institutions	126
Other government institutions	7
Total	243

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.

Central Universities and Institutions Accepting CUET Scores

Institution	Institution	Institution
Aligarh Muslim University	Assam University, Silchar	Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University
Banaras Hindu University	Central Sanskrit University, New Delhi	Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh
Central University of Andhra Pradesh	Central University of Gujarat	Central University of Haryana
Central University of Himachal Pradesh	Central University of Jammu	Central University of Jharkhand
Central University of Karnataka	Central University of Kashmir	Central University of Kerala
Central University of Odisha	Central University of Punjab	Central University of Rajasthan
Central University of South Bihar	Central University of Tamil Nadu	Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya
Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya	Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University	Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad
Indira Gandhi National Tribal University	Jamia Millia Islamia	Jawaharlal Nehru University
Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya	Mahatma Gandhi Central University	Manipur University
Maulana Azad National Urdu University	Mizoram University	Nagaland University
National Sanskrit University	North-Eastern Hill University	Pondicherry University
Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University	Rajiv Gandhi University	Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University
Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University	Sikkim University, Gangtok	South Asian University
Tezpur University	The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad	Tripura University
University of Allahabad	University of Delhi	University 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

Institution	Institution	Institution
Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University	Barkatullah University	Bhattadev University
Cluster University of Jammu	Cluster University of Srinagar	Delhi Teachers University
Delhi Technological University	Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya	Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, Assam
Dr. Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University, Lucknow	Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University	Dr. B.R. Ambedkar School of Economics University
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University	Harcourt Butler Technical University, Kanpur	Indian Institute of Teacher Education, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Islamia College of Science and Commerce	Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora	Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyang State University
Jagannath Barooah University	Kumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit and Ancient Studies University	Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology
Madhabdev University, Narayanpur, Lakhimpur	Maharaja Chhatrasal Bundelkhand University	Maharaja Surajmal Brij University, Bharatpur
Maharana Pratap Horticultural University, Karnal	Makhanlal Chaturvedi University	North Lakhimpur College
Nowgong College	Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skills University	Sardar Patel University of Police, Security and Criminal Justice
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University	Sibsagar University	University of Jammu
University of Kashmir	University of Ladakh	Vikram University

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

Deemed Universities Accepting CUET Scores

Institution	Institution	Institution
Aurora Higher Education and Research Academy	Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women	Dayalbagh Educational Institute
GITAM, Visakhapatnam	GITAM, Bengaluru	GITAM, Hyderabad
Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics	Graphic Era (Deemed to be University)	Gujarat Vidyapith
Gurukula Kangri	ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, Hyderabad	IIS (Deemed to be University), Jaipur
Jamia Hamdard	Jaypee Institute of Information Technology	Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education
Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth	Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana	Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies
Nehru Gram Bharati (Deemed to be University)	Shobhit Institute of Engineering and Technology	SRM Institute of Science and Technology, NCR Campus
Tata Institute of Social Sciences	TERI School of Advanced Studies	The 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

Institution	Institution	Institution
Abhyuday University	Adani University	Ajeenkya D.Y. Patil University, Pune
AKS University	Amity University, Greater Noida Campus	Amity University, West Bengal
Amity University Jharkhand	Amity University Noida	Amity University Patna
Amity University Punjab	Apeejay Stya University	Apex University, Jaipur
Arka Jain University	Arunachal University of Studies	ASBM University
Assam Down Town University, Guwahati	Avantika University	Azim Premji University
Babu Banarasi Das University	Bareilly International University, Bareilly	Bennett University
Bhagwant Global University, Kotdwar	Bhagwant University	Birla Global University
BML Munjal University	Brainware University	Career College (Autonomous), Bhopal
Career Point University, Kota	Centurion University of Technology and Management	Chanakya University
Chandigarh University	Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University	Chitkara University, Punjab
CMR University	COER University	CT University, Ludhiana
DIT University, Dehradun	Eternal University	Future University, Bareilly
G.D. Goenka University, Gurugram, NCR	Galgotias University	Geeta University
GLA University, Mathura	Gopal Narayan Singh University	Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun
Haridwar University	Himalayan University, Itanagar	HRIT University, Ghaziabad
IFTM University, Moradabad	IILM University, Greater Noida	IILM University, Gurugram
IIMT University	IMS Unison University	Invertis University
Islamic University of Science and Technology, Kashmir	ITM Skills University	ITM University Gwalior
Jagannath University, Delhi NCR, Bahadurgarh, Haryana	Jagannath University, Jaipur, Rajasthan	Jaipur National University
JECRC University, Jaipur	Jharkhand Rai University	Joy University
K.R. Mangalam University	Kalinga University, New Raipur, Chhattisgarh	Karnavati University
Lovely Professional University	Madhav University	Mahindra University, Hyderabad
Manav Rachna University, Faridabad	Mangalayatan University, Aligarh	Mangalayatan University, Jabalpur
Manipal University Jaipur	Maya Devi University, Dehradun	Mewar University
Mind Power University	MNR University	Mody University
NIIT University	Noida International University	Om Sterling Global University
Pearl Academy (CAES)	Rabindranath Tagore University	Rakshpal Bahadur Management Institute, Bareilly
Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences	Renaissance University	REVA University
Rishihood University, Sonepat	RNB Global University	RV University
SAGE University, Indore	Sanjeev Agrawal Global Educational University, Bhopal	Sanskaram University, Jhajjar
Sanskriti University	Sardar Bhagwan Singh University, Balawala, Dehradun, Uttarakhand	School of Management Sciences, Varanasi
SGT University	Sharda University, Agra	Sharda University, Greater Noida
Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences	Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University	Sikkim Manipal University
Sikkim Professional University	Sir Padampat Singhania University, Udaipur	Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata
SR University	SRM University, Andhra Pradesh	SRM University Delhi-NCR, Sonepat
Sunbeam College for Women, Bhagwanpur, Varanasi	Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur	Sushant University, Gurugram
Swami Vivekanand Subharti University	Tantia University	Teerthanker Mahaveer University
The ICFAI University, Dehradun	The ICFAI University, Himachal Pradesh	The ICFAI University, Jaipur
The ICFAI University, Jharkhand	The ICFAI University, Raipur	United University, Prayagraj
University of Engineering and Management, Jaipur	UPES, Dehradun	Usha Martin University, Ranchi
Vidya University, Meerut	Vivekananda Global University	World 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

Institution	Institution	Institution
Footwear Design and Development Institute	Government College for Women, Parade Ground, Jammu	Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management	National Forensic Sciences University	National 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.

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:

University	Programme	Class XII Requirement	CUET Papers Required	Additional Test	Application 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.

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.

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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.