New Delhi, India — March 11, 2026
The National Testing Agency has extended the registration deadline for the Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate (CUET UG) 2026, offering relief to thousands of students preparing for undergraduate admissions across Indian universities.
According to the latest update, candidates can now submit their applications until March 20, 2026, at 11:50 PM. The extension comes after the testing agency observed heavy traffic on the registration portal and requests from students for additional time.
Officials have advised applicants not to wait until the final hours, as the website often experiences high server load that could cause payment failures or submission delays.
Important CUET UG 2026 Dates
Students planning to apply for the entrance test should note the following key dates:
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New Registration Deadline: March 20, 2026 (11:50 PM)
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Correction Window: March 22 to March 24, 2026
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Expected Exam Dates: Likely to begin in mid-May 2026
During the correction window, candidates will have the opportunity to edit mistakes in their application forms, including personal information, subject selection, or uploaded documents.
Important Guidelines for Applicants
The NTA has issued several instructions to help students complete their applications smoothly.
Avoid Last-Minute Registration
The testing agency has warned that the website may experience heavy server traffic during the final hours. Students are encouraged to submit their forms early to avoid technical issues.
Keep Documents Ready
Applicants should keep the following documents ready before starting the registration process:
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Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
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Aadhaar card or valid ID proof
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Scanned passport-size photograph
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Scanned signature
Ensuring these documents are prepared in advance can help prevent errors during form submission.
Subject Selection Rules for CUET UG 2026
One of the key changes this year involves subject selection limits.
Candidates can now select a maximum of six subjects, compared to ten subjects allowed in previous years.
The subject combination must include:
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At least one language paper
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One general test or domain-specific subject
Students are advised to choose subjects carefully based on the requirements of the universities and courses they plan to apply for.
What Has Changed in CUET UG 2026
Hybrid Exam Mode
The examination will be conducted in both pen-and-paper (OMR) mode and computer-based testing (CBT) mode.
Subjects with a larger number of registrations are likely to be conducted using OMR sheets, while others may continue in computer-based format.
Reduced Normalization Complexity
The NTA aims to conduct most tests in a single shift wherever possible. This approach could reduce the need for complicated score normalization procedures across multiple sessions.
NTA Helpline for Students
Candidates facing technical issues during the application process can contact the official NTA helpdesk.
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Helpline Number: 011-40759000
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Email: cuet-ug@nta.ac.in
Students are encouraged to reach out to the helpline if they encounter payment failures, document upload errors, or portal login issues.
Growing Importance of CUET for University Admissions
The CUET UG exam has become one of the largest entrance tests in India, used by numerous central and participating universities for undergraduate admissions.
With the extended deadline, candidates now have additional time to complete their applications and prepare for the examination expected in May 2026.
