Last Updated: April 2026
The CUET 2026 syllabus is the foundation of every successful university admission strategy. CUET UG (Common University Entrance Test) is conducted by the National Testing Agency for admission to central universities, state universities, and deemed universities across India. Over 14 lakh students appeared for CUET 2025 — making it one of India’s largest undergraduate entrance exams. This guide provides the complete CUET 2026 syllabus across all three sections: Domain Subjects, General Test, and Languages.
CUET 2026 Exam Structure
| Section | Papers | Duration | Max Questions | To Attempt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section IA — Languages (13 options) | 1 language paper | 45 min | 50 | 40 |
| Section IB — Languages (additional) | Optional 2nd language | 45 min | 50 | 40 |
| Section II — Domain Subjects (27 options) | Up to 6 domain papers | 45 min each | 50 | 40 |
| Section III — General Test | 1 paper | 60 min | 75 | 50 |
Marking Scheme: +5 for correct, -1 for incorrect. Maximum score per paper = 200 marks.
Section II: Domain Subject Syllabi
Accountancy (Domain)
Based entirely on NCERT Class 11 and 12 Accountancy textbooks.
- Class 11: Introduction to Accounting, Journal entries, Ledger, Trial Balance, Bank Reconciliation, Depreciation, Provisions and Reserves, Financial Statements (non-corporate)
- Class 12: Partnership Accounts (reconstitution, dissolution), Company Accounts (shares, debentures), Cash Flow Statement, Ratio Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis
Business Studies (Domain)
- Class 11: Nature of Business, Business Services, Emerging Modes of Business, Social Responsibility, Forms of Business Organisation
- Class 12: Nature of Management, Business Environment, Planning, Organising, Staffing, Directing, Controlling, Entrepreneurship Development, Marketing, Consumer Protection, Financial Management
Economics (Domain)
- Class 11 (Statistics): Data collection and organisation, Measures of central tendency and dispersion, Index numbers, Use of Statistical tools
- Class 12 (Macro): National Income, Money and Banking, Determination of Income, Government Budget, Balance of Payments, Open Economy
History (Domain)
All 15 chapters of NCERT Class 12 History (Themes in Indian History Parts I, II, III):
- Bricks, Beads and Bones (Harappa) · Kings, Farmers, Towns · Kinship, Caste and Class · Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings
- Through the Eyes of Travellers · Bhakti-Sufi Traditions · Mughal Court (16th–17th C) · Peasants, Zamindars and State
- Kings and Chronicles · Colonialism and Rural Society · Rebels and the Raj (1857) · Colonial Cities · Mahatma Gandhi · Understanding Partition · The Constitution
Political Science (Domain)
- Class 11: Constitution, Rights, Electoral Process, Legislature, Executive, Judiciary, Federalism, Local Governments, Citizenship, Nationalism, Secularism
- Class 12: Cold War Era, End of Bipolarity, US Hegemony, Alternative Centres, South Asia, International Organisations, Security, Environment, Globalisation, Era of One-Party Dominance, Party System, Politics of Planned Development, India’s External Relations, Challenges of Nation Building, Regional Aspirations, Rise of New Social Movements
Physics (Domain)
- Class 11: Units and Measurement, Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work-Energy-Power, Rotational Motion, Gravitation, Properties of Bulk Matter, Thermal Properties, Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, Oscillations and Waves
- Class 12: Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetic Effects, Magnetism, EMI and AC, Electromagnetic Waves, Optics, Dual Nature, Atoms and Nuclei, Semiconductor Devices, Communication Systems
Chemistry (Domain)
- Class 11: Basic Concepts, Structure of Atom, Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding, States of Matter, Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Redox, Hydrogen, s-block, p-block, Organic Basics, Hydrocarbons, Environmental Chemistry
- Class 12: Solid State, Solutions, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Surface Chemistry, Coordination Compounds, p-block/d-block/f-block, Haloalkanes, Alcohols, Aldehydes, Amines, Biomolecules, Polymers, Chemistry in Everyday Life
Mathematics (Domain)
- Class 11: Sets, Relations and Functions, Trigonometry, Algebra (Complex Numbers, Quadratic, Sequences), Coordinate Geometry, Limits, Statistics and Probability
- Class 12: Relations and Functions, Inverse Trigonometry, Matrices and Determinants, Continuity and Differentiability, Applications of Derivatives, Integrals, Differential Equations, Vectors, 3D Geometry, Linear Programming, Probability
Section III: CUET General Test Syllabus
| Component | Topics | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge + Current Affairs | National events, International affairs, Awards, Sports, Environment | 10–12 |
| General Mental Ability | Number series, Coding-decoding, Blood relations, Directions | 8–10 |
| Numerical Ability | Percentage, Ratio, SI/CI, Time-Work, Speed-Distance | 8–10 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | Data Interpretation — tables, bar graphs, pie charts | 8–10 |
| Logical Reasoning | Statement-Conclusions, Statement-Arguments, Critical Reasoning | 8–10 |
| Language Comprehension | RC passages, Vocabulary, Grammar-based MCQs | 8–10 |
Universities Accepting CUET 2026 Scores
| Category | Key Universities |
|---|---|
| Central Universities (44) | DU, BHU, JNU, AMU, HCU, EFLU, Pondicherry University, Jamia |
| State Universities | IGNOU, NIT Calicut, Maharashtra state universities |
| Deemed Universities | Symbiosis, BITS (select programs), Thapar, Manipal, Amity |
| Private Universities | Many private universities now accept CUET scores |
CUET 2026 Preparation Tips
- NCERT is everything: 90%+ of CUET Domain questions come directly from NCERT textbooks. Master NCERT Class 11-12 before any supplementary material.
- Choose domains strategically: Pick domains where you have strongest NCERT command, not just subject familiarity.
- General Test preparation: Dedicate 30 minutes daily — newspaper for GK/CA, DI practice, and RC passages.
- Mock tests: Start domain mocks in March–April, Full mock series 6 weeks before exam.
Frequently Asked Questions: CUET 2026
How many domain subjects can I appear for in CUET 2026?
A candidate can appear for a maximum of 6 domain subjects in CUET 2026. Most students choose 3–4 domains matching their preferred courses. Check your target university’s admission requirements to select the right combination.
Is CUET 2026 harder than board exams?
CUET is based on the same NCERT syllabus as boards but tests application and reasoning more than rote recall. If you have scored well in boards with good NCERT command, CUET preparation typically takes 2–3 months of focused additional effort.
Can I get DU admission through CUET General Test alone?
DU’s BA Programme (three subjects from different disciplines) may use General Test + Domain scores. Most DU honors programs require specific domain subject scores. Check DU’s CUET seat matrix for exact requirements for your preferred program.
CUET 2026 Practice Quiz
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Preparing for CUET 2026? Explore CUET Gurukul’s domain-specific crash courses with chapter-wise NCERT MCQs, mock tests, and DU admission guidance.
