Team8 · July 8, 2026 
Introduction
Imagine one exam giving you access to postgraduate programmes at Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University, Jamia Millia Islamia, and over 190 universities across India — without appearing for a separate entrance test at each institution. That is exactly what CUET PG offers fresh graduates pursuing MBA, MA, or M.Com.
According to the National Testing Agency (NTA), CUET PG 2026 was conducted from March 6 to 27, 2026 across 292 cities including 16 cities outside India, covering 157 subjects for admission to postgraduate programmes at central, state, deemed, and private universities. Over 6 lakh candidates registered for the exam in 2025, with approximately 5,23,032 appearing at an attendance rate of nearly 80%, according to NTA official communications. For a fresh graduate stepping out of college and planning the next academic move, CUET PG is one of the most powerful and accessible pathways available in India’s higher education system.
This blog covers everything you need to know about the exam structure, eligibility, the best universities for MBA, MA, and M.Com programmes, and how to think about which pathway is right for your goals.
What Is CUET PG? — Official Overview
The Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate Programmes CUET PG is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), an autonomous body under the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India. Introduced to standardise and simplify admission to postgraduate courses across Indian universities, CUET PG provides a single, centralised score that participating universities use for seat allocation eliminating the need for candidates to appear in multiple, institution-specific entrance examinations.
According to NTA’s official CUET PG documentation, a total of 190 universities Central, State, Private, and others participated in CUET PG 2024, and the number has grown steadily since the exam’s expanded rollout. The exam is conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across all subjects. For the 2026 cycle, NTA confirmed that CUET PG 2026 results have been declared, with the exam having been held across March 6 to 27, 2026, according to official NTA communications.
The CUET PG application portal is hosted at CUET, and all seat allocation for participating central universities is handled through the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS-PG), as confirmed by the University of Delhi’s official PG Information Bulletin 2026.
CUET PG 2026 — Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility requirements for CUET PG are broadly consistent across programmes, though individual universities may specify additional conditions. According to verified official sources, the general eligibility requirement is a bachelor’s degree from a UGC-recognised university with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks for general category candidates. Candidates from SC, ST, and PwBD categories are typically eligible with a pass in the qualifying examination.
Final-year undergraduate students are also eligible to appear for CUET PG 2026, provided they complete their degree requirements before the date of admission. As confirmed by the University of Delhi’s official admission bulletin, all candidates seeking admission to two-year PG programmes at DU — including MA, M.Com, and other courses must appear for CUET PG 2026 through a portal and then apply separately through CSAS-PG for seat allocation.
For MBA programmes specifically, minimum eligibility is a graduation degree in any relevant discipline with 50% aggregate marks. Candidates must also note that different universities have their own additional requirements for example, according to the University of Hyderabad’s official admission notification for 2026, the university requires at least 50% marks in the bachelor’s degree for its MBA Healthcare and Hospital Management and MBA Business Analytics programmes, which are admitted through CUET PG. It is important to verify individual university eligibility requirements before the application window opens.
CUET PG Exam Pattern 2026
The CUET PG 2026 follows a structured, subject-specific format that is consistent across programmes. According to verified information from the NTA’s official CUET PG admit card notice and confirmed by Careers360’s coverage of the admit card release, the exam is conducted in Computer-Based Test mode with 75 questions carrying a total of 300 marks. The time duration is 90 minutes. The marking scheme awards four marks for every correct answer and deducts one mark for each incorrect response. There is no penalty for unanswered questions, making it strategically wise to attempt only those questions you are confident about.
The exam is offered across 157 subjects, with each programme mapped to a specific NTA test paper code.
The question paper for CUET PG is set in English for most subjects, with language-specific papers available for language programmes. The exam was conducted across 292 cities in 2026, including 16 international centres, according to NTA’s official registration communications making it one of the most geographically accessible postgraduate entrance exams in India.
Have Any Doubts?
Top Colleges Accepting CUET PG for MBA
The University of Delhi’s Faculty of Commerce and Business offers MBA programmes in International Business, Human Resource Development, and Business Analytics through CUET PG 2026. Candidates must complete the CSAS-PG counselling process after the exam. DU also offers a strong alumni network, excellent industry connections in Delhi-NCR, and affordable tuition fees.
University of Hyderabad (UoH)
The University of Hyderabad offers MBA Healthcare and Hospital Management and MBA Business Analytics through CUET PG 2026. The two-year programme includes core management subjects, business analytics, research methodology, and an eight-week summer internship. Ranked 17th in NIRF 2024, the university also holds a NAAC A+ grade and the Institution of Eminence status.
Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI)
Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) accepts CUET PG scores for admission to several postgraduate programmes. The university has confirmed CUET-based admissions for the 2026–27 academic session, allowing candidates to apply through the official admission process for eligible courses.
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) accepts CUET PG scores for admission to various postgraduate programmes, including management courses. Before applying, candidates should check the official admission portal for the correct paper codes, eligibility criteria, and programme-specific requirements.
Top Colleges Accepting CUET PG for MA Programs
For fresh graduates targeting MA programmes in Humanities, Social Sciences, or Languages, CUET PG opens access to some of the most academically distinguished central universities in India.
The University of Delhi offers MA programmes across Economics, English, Hindi, History, Sociology, Political Science, Psychology, Philosophy, and several other disciplines — all admitted through CUET PG 2026 and CSAS-PG, as confirmed by the official DU Information Bulletin 2026. DU’s MA Economics and MA English programmes, offered through the Delhi School of Economics and the English Department respectively, are among the most competitive and academically respected PG humanities programmes in India.
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) accepts CUET PG scores for admission to several of its PG programmes. JNU’s School of Social Sciences and School of International Studies offer MA programmes in Economics, History, Sociology, International Relations, and Development Studies that are nationally regarded for their research orientation and academic rigour. JNU’s official notification portal confirms active CUET PG-based admissions for the 2025–26 cycle, and candidates are advised to check JNU’s admission portal for 2026–27 programme-specific details.
The University of Hyderabad, which holds a NAAC A+ grade and Institution of Eminence status, accepts CUET PG scores for MA programmes in Economics, Political Science, Sociology, and several other disciplines. Its official 2026 CUET PG programme mapping document lists all relevant NTA test paper codes and programme eligibility requirements.
Top Colleges Accepting CUET PG for M.Com
M.Com remains one of the most popular postgraduate programmes for commerce graduates, and CUET PG is the primary admission route at all major central universities.
The University of Delhi’s Faculty of Commerce and Business offers M.Com for the 2026–27 academic session through CUET PG, as confirmed by the official DU M.Com Admission 2026–27 notification. The Faculty of Commerce and Business at DU, which traces its origins to the Department of Commerce established under the Delhi School of Economics in 1967, is one of India’s most respected commerce departments. M.Com merit lists at DU are directly based on CUET PG scores under the CSAS-PG framework, as confirmed by the DU SOL official merit list portal, which lists CUET Score Based Merit Lists for M.Com alongside other PG programmes.
Banaras Hindu University and Jamia Millia Islamia also offer M.Com programmes through CUET PG, with JMI’s eligibility requirement for M.Com specified as a graduation in Commerce with not less than 50% aggregate marks, as per its official prospectus.
Comparison Table — Top CUET PG Colleges by Programme
| University | Programme | Location | NAAC / NIRF Status | Admission Route | Official Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Delhi | MBA (IB / HRD / BA), MA, M.Com | New Delhi | NAAC A++ | CUET PG + CSAS-PG | du.ac.in |
| Banaras Hindu University | MBA, MA, M.Com | Varanasi | NAAC A+ | CUET PG | admission.bhu.ac.in |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University | MA (Economics, Sociology, IR, etc.) | New Delhi | NAAC A++ | CUET PG | jnuee.jnu.ac.in |
| University of Hyderabad | MBA (Healthcare / BA), MA | Hyderabad | NAAC A+, IoE | CUET PG | acad.uohyd.ac.in |
| Jamia Millia Islamia | MBA, MA, M.Com | New Delhi | NAAC A+ | CUET PG | admission.jmi.ac.in |
| Delhi University (SOL) | MBA, M.Com | New Delhi | UoD affiliated | CUET PG (Score-Based) | sol.du.ac.in |
How Career Plan B Helps
Choosing the right CUET PG programme — from over 190 participating universities and 157 subjects is a decision that requires clarity about your career goals, academic strengths, and long-term direction.
Career Plan B offers personalised career counselling,
PsycheIntel psychometric assessments, and structured career roadmapping to help fresh graduates identify which programme, university, and specialisation best aligns with their goals so a single CUET PG score translates into the right admission, not just any admission.
Get In Touch With Us
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How Many Universities Accept CUET PG Scores in India?
Over 190 universities, including Central, State, Deemed, and Private institutions, accepted CUET PG scores in recent admission cycles. NTA updates the official list of participating universities every year on its website.
2. Is CUET PG Mandatory for Delhi University PG Admissions?
Yes. Delhi University requires CUET PG 2026 for admission to its two-year PG programmes, including MA, M.Com, and MBA. Candidates must also complete the CSAS-PG counselling process, as DU does not conduct a separate PG entrance exam.
3. Can Final-Year Undergraduate Students Apply for CUET PG 2026?
Yes. Final-year undergraduate students can apply for CUET PG 2026 if they complete their degree before the admission deadline set by their chosen university. Always verify the deadline with the respective institution.
4. What Is the Marking Scheme for CUET PG 2026?
CUET PG awards +4 marks for every correct answer and deducts 1 mark for every incorrect answer. Unanswered questions receive no penalty. The exam includes 75 questions, carries 300 marks, and lasts 90 minutes.
5. Does the University of Hyderabad Accept CUET PG for MBA Admissions?
Yes, the University of Hyderabad accepts CUET PG scores for MBA Healthcare and Hospital Management and MBA Business Analytics. However, its flagship full-time MBA programme uses CAT scores. Check the eligibility criteria for your chosen MBA programme before applying.
Have Any Doubts?
Conclusion
For fresh graduates in India, CUET PG is one of the most democratising developments in postgraduate education in recent years.One exam. One score. Access to over 190 universities. CUET PG opens the door to some of India’s top central, state, deemed, and private universities. Moreover, it eliminates the cost and hassle of appearing for multiple entrance exams.
Whether you’re a Commerce graduate aiming for M.Com at Delhi University, a Humanities student targeting MA Economics at JNU or the University of Hyderabad, or a graduate exploring MBA programmes, CUET PG offers a fair, structured, and nationally standardised admission process. As a result, you can compete for seats at leading public universities through a single examination.
The exam pattern is simple. It includes 75 questions, a 90-minute duration, +4 marks for every correct answer, and -1 mark for every incorrect response. However, success depends on focused preparation and the right strategy. Therefore, choose your target programme and university before you begin studying. This approach ensures that every hour of preparation supports your admission goals.
Still unsure which CUET PG programme or university matches your career goals? Connect with Career Plan B for personalised counselling, PsycheIntel assessments, and expert career roadmaps to make informed academic decisions with confidence.
