The CUET PG English Syllabus 2027 covers 7 core units, from History of English and Indian Literatures to Current Literary Trends, Events and Awards. The paper carries 300 marks, built from 75 domain-specific MCQs at +4 marks each.
The CUET PG English exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) under Paper Code LAQP01, for admission to MA English and allied postgraduate programmes.
- The CUET PG English syllabus 2027 PDF is expected with the information bulletin by December 2026.
- History of English and Indian Literatures carries the highest estimated weightage, accounting for 40–45% of the paper.
- Literary Terms and Genres together account for approximately 20–24% of the paper, covering poetic forms, dramatic devices, and literary concepts.
- Important preparation areas include literary chronology, author-work matching, literary terms, critical theorists, and unseen prose and poetry passages.
- Recommended books include A Glossary of Literary Terms by M.H. Abrahams and Geoffrey Galt Harpham, Beginning Theory by Peter Barry, and A History of English Literature by Edward Albert or David Daiches.
Related Links:
- CUET PG Question Paper 2026: Download Subject-wise Question Paper with Solution PDF
- CUET PG Exam Pattern 2027: Questions, Marks, Duration & Marking Scheme
- CUET PG English Question Paper 2026 (Available): Download Previous Years’ Question Papers PDF with Solutions (2024-2021)
Key Summary
- The CUET PG English Syllabus 2027 has 7 units, worth 300 marks across 75 MCQs, each carrying +4 marks with -1 for wrong answers.
- History of English & Indian Literatures carries the highest weightage, at 40–45% of the paper.
- Part A (General Aptitude) is fully removed. The CUET PG English paper now tests only subject-domain knowledge.
- M.H. Abrahams' Glossary of Literary Terms and Peter Barry's Beginning Theory are the two non-negotiable reference books for this exam.
CUET PG English Syllabus 2027: Overview
The CUET PG English Syllabus 2027 is based on the graduating level BA English Literature core curriculum. The paper is purely domain-specific — there is no internal assessment component.
- The exam is conducted entirely online, as a Computer-Based Test (CBT).
- 75 MCQs carry 4 marks each, for a maximum of 300 marks.
- The syllabus release date is expected by December 2026, though the exam window was announced via the NTA calendar on September 16, 2026.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Examination Name | Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate (CUET PG 2027) |
| Academic Session | 2027–2028 |
| Official Website | pgcuet.samarth.ac.in |
| Total Marks | 300 Marks (75 Domain-specific MCQs × 4 Marks each) |
| Total Marks per Subject | 300 Marks |
| Syllabus Basis | Graduating Level (BA English Literature & Allied Subjects Core Syllabus under Paper Code LAQP01) |
| Syllabus Release Date | Formally expected with the information bulletin by December 2026 |
Ques. What is the CUET PG English syllabus based on?
Ans. The graduating-level BA English Literature and Allied Subjects core syllabus, under Paper Code LAQP01.
Ques. When will the CUET PG syllabus PDF download be available for 2027?
Ans. Expected with the official information bulletin by December 2026.
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CUET PG English Syllabus 2027
The CUET PG English Syllabus is organised into 7 topics, covering literary history, terms, genres, theory, and current literary events.
- History of English and Indian Literatures form the two largest, most question-heavy topics.
- Literary Terms and Genres test definitions, not just author names.
- Current Literary Trends, Events and Awards is a small but easy-to-prepare topic.
| No. | Syllabus Topic | Topics Covered |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | History of English and Indian Literatures | Major authors, texts, literary movements |
| 2 | Indian Writing in English | Major authors, texts including English translations, history |
| 3 | Literary Terms | Allegory, ballad, blank verse, comedy, dissociation of sensibility, dramatic monologue, elegy, Enlightenment, epic, fancy and imagination, imitation, intentional fallacy, motif, ode, onomatopoeia, paradox, plot, figures of speech, satire, soliloquy, sonnet, tragedy, wit, etc. |
| 4 | Literary Genres | Fiction and non-fiction, life writings, diary, drama, essay, novel, poetry, prose, short story, epic, travelogue, science fiction, etc. |
| 5 | Comparative Literature and Translation Studies | Concepts, theories, texts |
| 6 | Literary Criticism and Theory | Classical and modern criticism, Marxism, structuralism and post-structuralism, feminism, eco-criticism, postcolonialism |
| 7 | Current Literary Trends, Events and Awards | Awareness of current literary trends, literary events, awards, etc. |
Ques. How many units are in the CUET MA English syllabus?
Ans. 7 units, from History of English and Indian Literatures to Current Literary Trends, Events and Awards.
Ques. Is the CUET PG English literature syllabus different from the general CUET PG syllabus?
Ans. Yes. CUET PG English (LAQP01) tests only the English literature domain. Other CUET PG subjects follow their own separate paper codes and syllabi.
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CUET PG English Syllabus 2027: Unit-wise Weightage
The CUET PG English (LAQP01) paper consists of exactly 75 domain-specific MCQs for a total of 300 marks.
- History of English & Indian Literatures (Units 1 & 2) carries the highest weightage, at 40–45% of the paper.
- Literary Terms & Genres (Units 3 & 4) follows next, at 20–24%.
- Comparative Literature & Translation Studies (Unit 5) carries the lowest weightage, at just 5–8%.
| Unit ID | Core Syllabus Domain | Approx. No. of Questions | Marks Allocation | Expected Weightage (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 & 2 | History of English & Indian Literatures (Includes British Lit, Indian Writing in English, and Postcolonial/World texts) | 30 – 35 | 120 – 140 Marks | 40% – 45% |
| Unit 3 & 4 | Literary Terms & Literary Genres (Poetry, Drama, Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Applied Passages) | 15 – 18 | 60 – 72 Marks | 20% – 24% |
| Unit 5 | Comparative Literature & Translation Studies (Theories, shifts, and seminal translated texts) | 4 – 6 | 16 – 24 Marks | 5% – 8% |
| Unit 6 | Literary Criticism & Theory (Classical to Modern: Structuralism, Postcolonialism, Eco-criticism, etc.) | 8 – 10 | 32 – 40 Marks | 10% – 13% |
| Unit 7 | Awareness of Current Literary Trends, Events & Awards (Nobel, Booker, Sahitya Akademi, recent major publications) | 3 – 5 | 12 – 20 Marks | 4% – 7% |
| — | Language, Linguistics & Unseen Comprehension (Core reading passages, basic syntax, and semantic concepts) | 6 – 8 | 24 – 32 Marks | 8% – 10% |
| Total | Domain Subject Only | 75 MCQs | 300 Marks | 100% |
Ques. Which unit carries the highest weightage in the CUET PG English syllabus?
Ans. History of English & Indian Literatures (Units 1 & 2), at 40–45% of the paper.
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CUET PG English Syllabus: Important Topics
British Literature typically dominates with roughly 20 standalone questions. The heaviest emphasis rests on Fiction/Novels (approx. 10 questions) and Drama/Playwrights like Shakespeare, Marlowe, and Shaw (approx. 7 questions).
- Indian Writing in English (Unit 2) commands 10–13 questions. Focus on the foundational trio of Mulk Raj Anand, R.K. Narayan, and Raja Rao, alongside modern poets Nissim Ezekiel and Kamala Das.
- Literary Theory (Unit 6) brings 7–10 conceptual questions. NTA frequently uses match-the-column layouts, mapping theorists like Derrida, Foucault, and Said to their essays or concepts.
- Unseen Textual Passages consistently embed 5 unseen passage MCQs and 5 unseen poem MCQs, testing close-reading under time pressure.
| Unit | Topic | Important Areas to Prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | History of English and World Literatures |
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| Unit 2 | Indian Writing in English |
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| Units 3 & 4 | Literary Terms and Genres |
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| Unit 5 | Comparative Literature and Translation Studies |
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| Unit 6 | Literary Criticism and Theory |
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| Unit 7 | Current Literary Trends, Events and Awards |
|
Preparation tip: Prioritise literary chronology and author-work matching in Units 1–2, definitions and theorists in Units 3–6, and recent award winners in Unit 7.
Ques. What are the most important authors for the CUET PG English literature syllabus?
Ans. Shakespeare, Marlowe, Milton, Wordsworth, Dickens, and Eliot in British Literature; Mulk Raj Anand, R.K. Narayan, and Raja Rao in Indian Writing in English.
Ques. How many unseen comprehension questions appear in the CUET PG English paper?
Ans. 5 unseen passage MCQs and 5 unseen poem MCQs.
CUET PG English Syllabus: Deleted Topics 2027
In previous iterations, the question paper was split into Part A (25 questions) and Part B (75 questions). Part A has been entirely abolished.
You do not need to study the following topics:
- Mathematical Reasoning & Quantitative Aptitude: Simple/compound interest, profit & loss, percentages, and data interpretation.
- Analytical Skills & Logical Reasoning: Coding-decoding, blood relations, and pattern sequences.
- General Awareness: Static GK, national geography, and non-literary current affairs.
Ques. Is Part A still part of the CUET PG English syllabus 2027?
Ans. No. Part A, the General Aptitude section, has been entirely abolished.
Also Check:
CUET PG English Exam Pattern 2027
The official CUET PG English (Paper Code: LAQP01) Exam Pattern 2027 is regulated entirely by the NTA. The pattern tests subject domain knowledge only.
- Correct Attempt: +4 marks for every factually correct response.
- Incorrect Attempt: -1 mark deducted for each wrong choice.
- Unattempted/Left Blank: 0 marks. No points awarded or subtracted.
- Dropped Questions: If NTA declares a question invalid during the answer key challenge, all candidates get +4 marks, whether attempted or not.
| Parameter | Official Specification |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) only |
| Total Number of Questions | 75 Questions (All compulsory Multiple Choice Questions) |
| Maximum Marks | 300 Marks |
| Total Exam Duration | 90 Minutes (1 Hour 30 Minutes) |
| Test Language Medium | English (For the domain literature paper) |
| Number of Exam Shifts | Conducted across 3 distinct daily slots |
Ques. Is there negative marking in the CUET PG English exam pattern 2027?
Ans. Yes. -1 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer. Unattempted questions score zero.
Ques. How long is the CUET PG English exam?
Ans. 90 minutes, for 75 compulsory MCQs worth 300 marks.
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Best Books for CUET PG English Exam 2027
M.H. Abrahams' A Glossary of Literary Terms and Peter Barry's Beginning Theory are the two most essential, non-negotiable reference books for the CUET PG English (LAQP01) 2027 exam.
- A Glossary of Literary Terms is the gold standard for poetic forms, dramatic devices, and structural movements.
- Beginning Theory simplifies Marxism, Post-structuralism, Feminism, and Eco-criticism into clear summaries.
- A Concise History of Indian Writing in English covers foundational Indian-English poets and novelists.
| Unit | Recommended Book | Author / Publisher | Why You Need It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Literary Terms & Genres | A Glossary of Literary Terms | M.H. Abrahams & Geoffrey Galt Harpham | The gold standard for definitions of poetic forms, dramatic devices, and structural movements. |
| Literary Criticism & Theory | Beginning Theory | Peter Barry (Manchester University Press) | Simplifies complex frameworks (Marxism, Post-structuralism, Feminism, Eco-criticism) with clear summaries. |
| Literary Criticism (Classical to Modern) | An Introduction to English Literary Criticism | B. Prasad | Essential for Plato, Aristotle, Sydney, Dryden, Johnson, Coleridge, and T.S. Eliot. |
| History of English Literature | A History of English Literature | Edward Albert or David Daiches | Crucial for tracking period chronologies, major publication years, and contextual shifts. |
| Indian Writing in English | A Concise History of Indian Writing in English | Arvind Krishna Mehrotra | Covers foundational Indian-English poets, novelists, and postcolonial trajectory. |
This video by the channel “CUETPGMalviyaAcademy” discusses the best books for CUET PG English Exam preparation 2027. It mentions the suggested books and top recommended choices of books for effective preparation of the exam.
Ques. Which book is best for literary terms in the CUET PG English syllabus?
Ans. M.H. Abrahams and Geoffrey Galt Harpham's A Glossary of Literary Terms.
Ques. Which book covers literary theory for CUET PG English?
Ans. Peter Barry's Beginning Theory, which simplifies Marxism, Post-structuralism, Feminism, and Eco-criticism.
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CUET PG English Preparation Tips 2027
To ace the CUET PG English (LAQP01) 2027 exam under its single-domain format, preparation must pivot away from casual reading toward chronological mapping, structural conceptualizing, and elimination drills.
1. Create a timeline covering major literary periods, from the Age of Chaucer to Postmodernism. Record authors, major works, and publication years, with special focus on Victorian, Modernist, and Postcolonial literature.
2. Create a four-column chart linking critical schools, theorists, seminal works, and key concepts. Prioritize structuralism, post-structuralism, psychoanalytic criticism, feminism, and ecocriticism.
3. Study A Glossary of Literary Terms by covering two alphabet sections daily. Learn definitions alongside their associated authors, texts, and examples to prepare for match-the-column questions.
4. Focus on Indian Literature and Translation Studies: Revise Mulk Raj Anand, R.K. Narayan, Raja Rao, Nissim Ezekiel, Kamala Das, and A.K. Ramanujan. Memorize the original languages, publication years, and English translators of major translated works.
5. Practice standalone MCQs within 30 seconds and solve previous CUET PG papers from 2022–2026. Review incorrect options to identify related authors, texts, and literary concepts, while improving time management for comprehension passages.
Students on Reddit share the following tips for CUET PG English exam preparation
- Prepare summaries and understand the themes of major texts prescribed by top universities such as DU, Jamia, BHU, AUD, and HCU. Prioritise frequently recurring authors and works.
- Study literary theory using Peter Barry’s Beginning Theory and revise literary terms from M.H. Abrams’ A Glossary of Literary Terms. Focus on key concepts, theories, and terminology.
- Give extra attention to Indian Writing in English, translated works, marginal literature, and contemporary literary developments, as these areas may feature unexpected questions.
- Solve previous-year questions from CUET PG and other leading central universities. Build a strong foundation first, then cover contemporary literature, cultural theory, and recent literary developments without relying on predictable question patterns.
Source: Reddit
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| CUET PG 2025 Question Paper | CUET PG 2024 Question Paper |
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FAQs on CUET PG English Syllabus 2027
Ques. What is the CUET PG English syllabus for 2027?
Ans. 7 units including History of English and Indian Literatures, Indian Writing in English, Literary Terms, Literary Genres, Comparative Literature and Translation Studies, Literary Criticism and Theory, and Current Literary Trends, worth 300 marks across 75 MCQs.
Ques. What is the CUET PG Part A syllabus status for 2027?
Ans. Part A (General Aptitude) is completely removed. The 2027 paper tests only English literature domain knowledge.
Ques. What is the CUET PG English exam pattern 2027?
Ans. 75 compulsory MCQs for 300 marks, with +4 for correct answers and -1 for incorrect ones, in a 90-minute computer-based test.
Ques. Which topics carry the most weightage in the CUET MA English syllabus?
Ans. History of English & Indian Literatures, at 40–45% of the total paper.
Ques. Are literary movements and literary criticism tested together in the CUET PG English literature syllabus?
Ans. They are separate units. Literary Genres covers movements and forms, while Literary Criticism and Theory covers critical schools like structuralism, feminism, and postcolonialism.
Ques. Is translation studies part of the CUET PG English syllabus?
Ans. Yes, under Unit 5, Comparative Literature and Translation Studies, covering translation theory and major Indian texts in translation.
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