CUET 2025: No hybrid mode, shorter duration, less number of papers in draft revised exam guidelines

NEW DELHI: The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) 2025 will be held in online mode, in a shorter duration, having less number of subjects, as per recommendations of the University Grants Commission (UGC). For CUET UG 2025, candidates will be allowed to appear for only five subjects instead of six, unlike last year. The commission has sought feedback from students, teachers, and others concerned before December 26, 2024.

In a meeting held on November 13, 2024, UGC considered the proposals of an expert committee constituted to review the conduct of CUET UG 2025 and CUET PG 2025. The panel examined various aspects of the entrance test, such as exam structure, number of papers, duration of test papers, syllabus alignment, and operational logistics.

“Based on feedback from past years, it is also essential to continuously improve the examination process to provide a better, more efficient and conducive environment for students taking CUET,” the commission stated. The CUET exam was introduced three years ago to standardise the admission process for undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.

CUET UG 2025: Revised exam pattern

As per draft UGC guidelines, the following changes have been introduced in the methodology of CUET UG exam starting from the 2025-26 academic session:

CUET UG 2025: Mode of exam, subjects

CUET UG 2025 will be conducted once a year in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. Candidates will be allowed to appear for a maximum of five subjects. They may choose subjects for the CUET, irrespective of the subjects opted in Class 12, within the permissible limit of five subjects.

CUET UG 2025 exam duration, marking scheme

The exam duration for each subject in CUET exam 2025 will be one hour, and this duration will be consistent across all papers. All questions will be compulsory, and there will be negative marking for incorrect answers. The standard of the questions will be based on the NCERT syllabus.

CUET UG 2025 will be held in 13 languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi,

CUET UG 2025 languages

Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. For the 13 languages listed, language-specific papers will be conducted to test proficiency. For all other languages, including foreign languages (20 languages as per last year), admissions to related programmes will be based on performance in the General Aptitude Test.

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CUET UG 2025: Number of papers

The general test, which is currently in use, will be redesigned as the general aptitude test. Domain-specific subjects or papers on 'Entrepreneurship,' 'Teaching Aptitude,' 'Fashion Studies,' 'Tourism,' 'Legal Studies,' and 'Engineering Graphics' will be discontinued. For these programmes, admissions will be based on performance in the general aptitude test.

CUET UG 2025 will be held for 23 subjects or papers as follows:

• Accountancy/Bookkeeping
• Business Studies
• Agriculture
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Mathematics/Applied Mathematics
• Biology/Biological Science/Biochemistry/Biotechnology
• Performing Arts (Dance, Drama, Music)
• Fine Arts/Visual Arts/Commercial Arts
• Geography/Geology
• History
• Home Science
• Mass Media/Mass Communication
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Sanskrit
• Environmental Science
• Knowledge Tradition and Practices in India
• Physical Education (Yoga, Sports)
• Anthropology
• Economics/Business Economics
• Computer Science/Information Practices

CUET PG 2025: Revised exam structure

According to the revised exam guidelines for CUET PG 2025, the exam will be conducted once a year in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. The duration of the test will be 90 minutes per subject per paper, and this duration will be uniform across all papers. All questions will be compulsory, and there will be negative marking for incorrect answers.

The medium of the CUET PG exam will be bilingual. The standard of questions will be the same as was used last year.

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The general paper will be redesigned to focus on skill-based knowledge and certain professional areas based on undergraduate knowledge, enabling universities to use it for programs in those fields.

All admissions will be based on CUET PG scores and in compliance with the UGC guidelines. However, universities may decide the weightage of the CUET PG score for admission to specialised courses.