Physics in CUET 2026 — Overview

CUET Physics (Code 322) is one of the most popular domain subjects, chosen primarily by students targeting B.Sc (Physics), B.Tech, and integrated science programmes at Central Universities like DU, BHU, Allahabad, and JNU. The paper has 50 compulsory MCQs to be answered in 60 minutes, for a maximum of 250 marks.

The entire syllabus is based on the NCERT Class 12 Physics textbooks (Part I & Part II). Unlike competitive exams like JEE, CUET Physics questions are straightforward and directly test NCERT concepts. If you have thoroughly read your NCERT textbooks, you can comfortably score 200+ marks.

Complete Unit-Wise Syllabus

The CUET Physics syllabus covers 9 units from the NCERT Class 12 curriculum. Each unit contains specific chapters and topics that can be tested. Here is the complete breakdown:

Unit	Topics	NCERT Chapters
1. Electrostatics	Electric Charges & Fields, Coulomb's Law, Electric Field Lines, Electric Flux, Gauss's Law, Electrostatic Potential, Capacitance, Dielectrics	Ch 1 & 2
2. Current Electricity	Ohm's Law, Drift Velocity, Resistivity, Kirchhoff's Rules, Wheatstone Bridge, Meter Bridge, Potentiometer	Ch 3
3. Magnetic Effects of Current & Magnetism	Biot-Savart Law, Ampere's Law, Solenoid, Force on Current-Carrying Conductor, Cyclotron, Moving Coil Galvanometer, Magnetism & Matter, Earth's Magnetism	Ch 4 & 5
4. Electromagnetic Induction & AC	Faraday's Laws, Lenz's Law, Motional EMF, Eddy Currents, Self & Mutual Inductance, AC Generator, Transformer, LC Oscillations, Resonance	Ch 6 & 7
5. Electromagnetic Waves	Displacement Current, Maxwell's Equations (qualitative), EM Wave Spectrum, Properties of EM Waves	Ch 8
6. Optics	Reflection, Refraction, TIR, Lenses, Prism, Optical Instruments, Wave Optics — Huygens' Principle, Interference, Diffraction, Polarisation	Ch 9 & 10
7. Dual Nature of Radiation & Matter	Photoelectric Effect, Einstein's Equation, de Broglie Hypothesis, Davisson-Germer Experiment	Ch 11
8. Atoms & Nuclei	Rutherford's Model, Bohr Model, Hydrogen Spectrum, Radioactivity, Nuclear Fission & Fusion, Mass-Energy Relation, Binding Energy	Ch 12 & 13
9. Electronic Devices	Semiconductors, p-n Junction Diode, Zener Diode, LED, Photodiode, Solar Cell, Transistor (npn/pnp), Logic Gates	Ch 14

Chapter-Wise Weightage (PYQ Analysis 2022–2025)

Based on an analysis of CUET Physics papers from 2022 to 2025, here is the approximate weightage of each unit. Focus your preparation on the top 5 high-weightage units first — they account for over 60% of the paper.

Unit	Approx. Questions	Weightage	Priority
Current Electricity	7–8	14–16%	★★★ High
Electromagnetic Waves	5–7	10–14%	★★★ High
Moving Charges & Magnetism	5–6	10–12%	★★★ High
Electric Charges & Fields	5–6	10–12%	★★★ High
Electromagnetic Induction	4–6	8–12%	★★★ High
Optics (Ray + Wave)	5–6	10–12%	★★ Medium
Dual Nature & Atoms	4–5	8–10%	★★ Medium
Nuclei	3–4	6–8%	★★ Medium
Electronic Devices	3–4	6–8%	★ Low

Deleted Topics for 2026

NTA has not deleted any Physics topics from the CUET 2026 syllabus. The full NCERT Class 12 Physics curriculum (Part I & Part II) remains intact. However, note that Class 11 Physics is NOT part of CUET — only Class 12 content is tested.

NCERT Chapters & Books

Book	Chapters	Key Topics for CUET
Physics Part I	Ch 1–8	Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, EMI, AC, EM Waves
Physics Part II	Ch 9–14	Ray & Wave Optics, Dual Nature, Atoms, Nuclei, Semiconductors

Total chapters: 14 | Total pages: ~400 | A focused student can complete one thorough reading in 2–3 weeks.

How to Score 200+ in CUET Physics

Scoring 200+ (80%+) in CUET Physics is achievable with a structured NCERT-first approach. Here is a step-by-step strategy:

Step 1: Complete NCERT Reading (Week 1–2)

• Read NCERT Physics Part I & Part II cover to cover
• Mark all definitions, derivations, laws, and formulae
• Pay special attention to in-text examples and solved numericals — CUET often picks questions directly from these
• Create a formula sheet for each chapter (1 page per chapter)

Step 2: Solve NCERT Back Exercises (Week 2–3)

• Solve all NCERT back-exercise questions (MCQs and short-answer)
• Focus especially on conceptual MCQs — CUET tests understanding, not complex calculations
• Note down any concept you got wrong and revisit the relevant NCERT section

Step 3: Previous Year Papers (Week 3–4)

• Solve CUET Physics PYQs from 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025
• Identify patterns: which topics repeat every year, which question types are common
• Time yourself: aim for 50 MCQs in 50 minutes (10-minute buffer for review)

Step 4: Mock Tests (Week 4 onwards)

• Take at least 10–15 full-length Physics mock tests before the exam
• Use the CUET Gurukul CBT Simulator for the authentic NTA interface experience
• After each mock, analyse wrong answers — go back to the specific NCERT paragraph
• Target: 40+ correct out of 50 consistently in mocks

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using non-NCERT books for CUET: HC Verma, Irodov, or coaching material is unnecessary. NCERT is the syllabus.
2. Ignoring Electromagnetic Waves: This short chapter (just 10 pages) consistently contributes 5–7 questions. Many students skip it — don't.
3. Not practising MCQs under time pressure: 50 questions in 60 minutes = 72 seconds per question. Speed matters.
4. Attempting every question: With −1 for wrong answers, leaving a question blank (0 marks) is better than a random guess (−1 mark) when you have no idea.
5. Skipping derivations: CUET may ask conceptual questions based on derivation steps (e.g., "Which step uses Gauss's Law?"). Understanding derivations matters.

Frequently Asked Questions