Allahabad University forced to join CUET UG, ‘did not get permission’ from education ministry for own exam

NEW DELHI: Allahabad University will be admitting undergraduate students through the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for the academic year 2024-25 as the education ministry has denied the university permission to hold its own admission test.

Officials said that the university was keen on holding its own undergraduate admission test (UGAT) due to the massive delay in the admission process caused by the CUET UG last year. It had taken the university one-and-a-half months to finish their admission schedule after the CUET results were released.

Teachers had also complained that many aspiring students opted to go to other universities because of the delay. Due to this, swathes of seats were vacant in many of its affiliated colleges. In October 2023, in the middle of the admission process, the university even had to take a last-minute decision to take in students without CUET scores to fill the seats.

The National Testing Agency has conducted the national-level college entrance exam, CUET UG, since 2022. It will conduct CUET UG 2024 from May 15 to May 31. The CUET UG registration is now open.

CUET, not UGAT

“The university had been in communication with the ministry for permission to conduct its own UGAT (undergraduate admission test). The university did not get the permission and has thereafter decided to go ahead with the admission for UG courses under CUET,” said Jaya Kapoor, public relations officer, Allahabad University.

Officials also said that currently no decision has been taken for admitting non-CUET students.

“As of now, there is no such decision on taking non-CUET candidates. Also, last time, the admissions were delayed by many months. The entire process took a long time. But if this session runs fine, we will follow the CUET system,” said an Allahabad University official under the condition of anonymity.

It is unclear whether the university will again push for its own undergraduate admission test for the academic year 2025-26 as the “matter is not under consideration”.

Allahabad University already relies on its own admission test for postgraduate courses, named the Postgraduate Admission Test (PGAT), and has chosen not to opt for CUET PG. The university will continue taking in students through its own AU PGAT for the upcoming academic year, 2024-25.

The last date of CUET UG registration 2024 is March 26.