CUET 2027 eligibility criteria explain whether you can apply for UG courses offered in all the CUET participating institutions. The National Testing Agency releases the CUET eligibility criteria for 2027 along with the official notification on their official website. To be eligible for CUET UG 2027, a candidate should have passed class 12th or should be appearing in the 2027 exam from a recognized board. There will be no age limit for appearing in the examination, and Indian nationals, as well as NRI, OCI, and PIO candidates, will be eligible to apply.
- As per the CUET Eligibility Criteria, most universities expected 50% marks from the general category candidates and 45% for SC/ST candidates in class 12.
- Appearing candidates must submit proof of passing the qualifying exam at the time of admission/counselling.
- There is no required age limit for CUET 2027, allowing candidates of all age groups to apply, but some universities do have age restrictions as well.
- There is no restriction on the number of attempts for CUET (UG) 2027. As long as you fulfill the CUET 2027 eligibility, you can appear for the exam in multiple years.
- The reservation policy is followed as per the Government of India policy, 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, 27% for OBC-NCL, 10% for EWS and 5% for PwD.
If you are appearing for CUET, document verification is required at counselling. You have to submit class 12 marksheets, passing certificate, a category certificate, and identity proof.
Also Check:
- CUET UG 2027 Registration: Expected January, Fee Details, Steps to Apply and Correction Window
- CUET UG Exam Dates 2027: Registration Expected January 2027, Important Dates and Date Sheet
- CUET 2027 Exam Pattern: Will CUET UG 2027 Have a Shorter and Simpler Question Paper?
Key Summary
In this Article, we have discussed the CUET Eligibility Criteria 20277, including the Age-limit, course-wise qualification, Total Attempts & Reservation.
- The CUET has similar exam testing, but the eligibility will differ as per 250+ participating universities.
- In CUET there is no Age-limit, but course-wise difference will be held during the counselling process.
- The CUET Scores will be calculated without any category-relaxation, the reservation will affect the cut-offs and seat allocation only.
- The Candidates from NIOS and open board candidates will be eligible only if that subject required is accepted by the admitting university.
- Most of the candidates will be rejected because of mismatch of subject, invalid certificates, and incorrect category claims.
- The Screening will happen during the registration, counselling and the document verification.
What is the CUET Eligibility Criteria?
The CUET2027 Eligibility Criteria will check the minimum academic, subject and category-wise conditions that a candidate must meet to be considered for admission by the Common University Entrance Test.
The CUET 2027 Eligibility follows:
- NTA-Based eligibility is required to appear in the exam.
- University-based eligibility, which will be applied during admission and counselling.
CUET Eligibility Criteria 2027
| Eligibility Component | What It Means in CUET 2027 |
|---|---|
| Exam-Level Eligibility | Class 12 passed/appearing candidates can appear for CUET; no age restriction by NTA |
| Admission-Level Eligibility | Universities apply their own rules for minimum marks, subjects, and age (if any) |
| Academic Qualification | Class 12 or equivalent from a recognised board (Indian or foreign) |
| Minimum Marks | Not fixed by CUET; universities generally require 50% (General) and 45% (SC/ST), varying by course |
| Subject Mapping | CUET subjects chosen must match the subject requirements of the applied programme |
| Stream Flexibility | Any stream can apply for CUET, but admission depends on course relevance |
| Nationality | Indian nationals eligible; NRIs, OCIs, PIOs subject to university norms |
| Reservation Policy | Applied at the admission stage as per the Government of India norms |
| Document Verification | Final eligibility is confirmed during counselling with original certificates. |
Check the video by @collegedunia to know in-depth detail about CUET Eligibility Criteria, including the Age Limit, Qualification, Marks & Reservation.
Check: CUET Photo-Size & Signature Guidelines
Ques. Does CUET need a 75 percent criteria?
Ans. No, CUET UG 2026 does not require 75% eligibility for the majority of universities. Candidates need to pass Class 12 from a recognised board only.
- Some universities, such as Delhi University (DU) and BHU, might have course-specific minimum marks requirements (e.g., 50% for General, 45% for SC/ST).
- Students must verify the specific eligibility criteria of their desired universities before applying.
Ques. Can a 12th fail apply for CUET?
Ans. No, the 12th failed candidates are not qualified for CUET UG 2026.
- Aspirants should pass Class 12 or a similar examination from a recognised board to apply.
- However, applicants appearing for Class 12 exams in 2025 are allowed to apply provisionally but need to pass before getting admitted.
CUET 2027 Eligibility Criteria: Age-limit
The most common question among the candidates looking to get admission through CUET is the required age-limit.
- As per the Policy granted by UGC, there is no fixed age limit set by NTA to appear in the CUET UG Exam.
- So, recent class 12 pass-outs, candidates with gap-year and even the older candidates can sit for CUET if they meet the academic and subject-based requirements.
CUET 2027 Eligibility: Required Age-Limit
- The CUET does not reject the candidates as per the age criteria; it is based on the academic criteria of the exam level.
- The Age conditions are applied during counselling, not during registration.
- A Candidate can qualify for CUET, but still can not be eligible for certain courses due to the age limit by the institution.
- The Gap year does not affect the eligibility, unless it is restricted by the admission policy of the university.
| Parameter | CUET Rule | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age | No minimum age defined by NTA | Class 12 appearing/passed candidates can apply |
| Maximum Age | No upper age limit | Drop-year and gap-year students remain eligible |
| Age Limit at Exam Level | Not applicable | Age is not checked during CUET registration |
| Age Limit at Admission Level | University-specific | Some courses may impose age criteria |
| Integrated / Professional Courses | May have age caps | Checked during counselling, not the exam |
| Central Universities | Mostly no age restriction | Follows UGC’s qualification-first policy |
| State / Private Universities | Course-dependent | Age rules vary by institution |
Check: CUET 2027 Dress Code: Check Rules for Male & Female Candidates, Changes & Exam Day Tips
Ques. Can I apply for CUET if I have taken multiple gap years after Class 12?
Ans. Yes, CUET will not restrict the candidates as per the gap year. If you have passed class 12 from a recognized board, you will be eligible to apply for CUET 2026.
The Eligibility of GAP Year in CUET UG:
| Factor | CUET Rule |
|---|---|
| Gap Years | No restriction |
| Exam Eligibility | Not affected by gap |
| Registration Stage | Gap not checked |
| Admission Stage | University-specific (rare cases) |
Ques. Will my CUET application be rejected because of my age?
Ans. No, NTA does not reject the CUET Application on the basis of age. The CUET 2026 has no minimum or maximum age limit at the exam level, which follows proper admission policies.
- Age is not a rejection factor at the CUET.
- The Older Candidates and Gap year students can apply freely.
Ques. Do universities check age eligibility during CUET registration or counselling?
Ans. The Universities do not check the age eligibility during the CUET Registration. The Age verification, if required is done only during the counselling or document verification.
| Stage | Who Checks | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| CUET Registration | NTA | No age check |
| Exam & Result | NTA | Age not checked |
| Counselling | University | Course-level age check |
| Admission | University | Final verification |
CUET Eligibility Criteria 2027: Nationality
To be eligible for the CUET Exam, aspirants must abide by the following citizenship rules:
- The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
- A constituent subject of Nepal, Bhutan
- A Tibetan refugee who landed in India before 1 January 1962 to make India their permanent home and reside there permanently.
- Pakistanis, Burmese, Sri Lankans, Kenyans, Ugandans, Tanzanians, Zambians, Malawians, Zaireans, Ethiopians, and people from Vietnam who permanently moved to India.
Check:
- CUET Exam Centers 2027: 300+ Cities Expected, State-wise List and Center Change Policy
- CUET Courses List 2027: University-wise Programmes, Stream-wise UG Courses
CUET Eligibility Criteria 2027: Course-Wise Eligibility
In CUET UG 2027, the eligibility will differ as per different courses, according to the academic background of the candidate and the relevance of the subject.
So, 2 candidates with the same CUET Score will be eligible for different courses as per their Class 12 subjects and marks.
CUET Eligibility for Arts & Humanities Courses
- The Arts courses admission will be based on different streams, and the admissions from other courses as well.
- The Language Proficiency is more important than the domain subjects, in most B.A. Programmes.
- The Candidates from the Science/Commerce stream can also switch to Arts.
- Some universities give more priority to language and G.T Scores than the domain Subjects.
| Eligibility Parameter | Typical Requirement |
|---|---|
| Class 12 Stream | Any stream (Arts/Commerce/Science) |
| Minimum Marks |
|
| Mandatory Subjects | One language subject is usually required |
| CUET Sections Used | Language + Domain / GT (as per course) |
| Stream Restriction | Generally none |
CUET Eligibility for Commerce & Management Courses
- The B.Com (Hons) and Economics programmes have a mandatory requirement of Mathematics.
- The Scores of General Tests are more important for Management-related courses.
- The Candidates not from commerce can also apply, if the maths requirements are met.
| Eligibility Parameter | Typical Requirement |
|---|---|
| Class 12 Stream | Commerce preferred; others allowed |
| Minimum Marks | 50–60% (course & university dependent) |
| Mandatory Subjects | Mathematics / Accountancy (for some courses) |
| CUET Sections Used | Language + Domain + GT |
| Subject Priority | Math/Accounts often carra y higher weight |
CUET Eligibility for Science Courses
- The Eligibility for Science courses depends on the subjects that are selected by the candidates.
- Missing even 1 required subject can lead to the disqualification of the candidate.
- The Language section has a limited weightage, as compared to the domain subjects.
| Eligibility Parameter | Typical Requirement |
|---|---|
| Class 12 Stream | Science (PCM/PCB) |
| Minimum Marks | 50 to 60% of the overall subject-wise cut-offs apply |
| Mandatory Subjects | Physics + Chemistry + Math/Biology |
| CUET Sections Used | Domain Subjects + Language |
| Subject Rigidity | High |
CUET Eligibility for Professional & Skill-Based Courses
- The General Test will be important for shortlisting.
- Some of the programs can have age or aptitude criteria.
| Eligibility Parameter | Typical Requirement |
|---|---|
| Class 12 Stream | Course-specific |
| Minimum Marks | Varies; often higher than the general UG |
| Mandatory Subjects | Domain-specific (e.g., Math, Science) |
| CUET Sections Used | Domain + Language + GT |
| Additional Conditions | Age/skill criteria (university-level) |
A reddit user, Indian Academia posted “Eligibility under CUET” stating that Essentially, DU requires a minimum of four subjects in CUET.
Ques. Is qualifying the CUET enough, or do courses have separate eligibility rules?
Ans. No, qualifying CUET is not only enough for CUET Admission. The CUET Eligibility will depend upon the course you have applied for, as per its own eligibility during the counselling.
- Different courses require specific eligibility as per class 12 subjects or minimum marks.
- The Eligibility will be verified before the allocation of seat.
Ques. Why am I eligible for one course but not another with the same CUET score?
Ans. This happens as different courses have different subject and eligibility requirements, even in the same university.
Why Eligibility Changes Course to Course
| Factor | How It Affects Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Class 12 Subjects | Must match course requirements |
| CUET Subject Choice | Wrong paper = ineligible |
| Minimum Marks | Course-wise cut-offs differ |
| Stream Relevance | Critical for science & commerce |
| Course Demand | High-demand courses apply stricter rules |
CUET Eligibility Criteria 2027: Qualifying Exam
The CUET UG accepts various Class 12 qualifying exams, including the Indian and Foreign boards as well. As long as the exam is recognised and equivalent to class 12, you can appear for CUET. The final eligibility will depend upon the admitting university.
CUET Eligibility 2027: List of Qualifying Examinations
| Qualifying Examination | Eligible for CUET | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| CBSE Class 12 | Yes | Most commonly accepted across all universities |
| State Board Class 12 | Yes | Must be from a recognised state education board |
| ISC (Class 12) | Yes | Treated at par with CBSE |
| NIOS Senior Secondary | Yes | Open schooling candidates are eligible |
| Equivalent 10+2 Exam | Yes | Must be recognised by a central/state authority |
| Foreign Board (12th) | Yes | An equivalence certificate may be required |
| Appearing in Class 12 (2027) | Yes | Proof of passing required at counselling |
Source: CUET Information Bulletin
CUET Eligibility 2027: Reservation Criteria
The CUET UG 2027 follows a reservation policy, which is adopted by the individual universities, according to the government norms. The candidates belonging to reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD) are granted relaxation in eligibility, seats, and cut-offs.
The category-wise reservation is as follows:
| Category | Reservation Percentage | Relaxation in Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste | 15% | Lower cut-off & relaxed qualification criteria |
| Scheduled Tribe | 7.50% | Lower cut-off & relaxed qualification criteria |
| Other Backward Classes | 27% | 5% relaxation in the minimum qualifying marks |
| Economically Weaker Section | 10% | No relaxation in marks, but reserved seats |
| Persons with Disabilities | 5% | 5% relaxation in marks & special accommodation |
Check: Seat Allotment for CUET
CUET 2027 Eligibility Criteria: University-Wise
The CUET UG 2027 is the only entrance exam required for admission in 250+ universities, with every university having different course-based eligibility criteria.
You should be aware of the requirements, so they can start their preparation as per the admission policy of the required university.
Check the university-wise list of CUET UG 2025 eligibility:
CUET Eligibility Criteria for Delhi University
- The Delhi University can disqualify the candidates because of a mismatch of subjects, not because of low CUET Scores.
- By choosing the wrong domain subject in CUET, you will automatically be ineligible for the course.
- The Class 12 Marks will be used only to check the eligibility, not the ranking.
- The high-demand courses require both Maths in Class 12 and CUET Maths.
- The Eligibility will be verified before the allocation of the seat.
| Parameter | Eligibility Details (UG) |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Exam | Class 12 or equivalent from a recognised board |
| Minimum Marks | Course-specific (generally 50–60%+ for General) |
| Subject Mapping | Very strict – must match Class 12 subjects |
| CUET Papers Required | 1 Language + relevant Domain subjects |
| Mathematics Requirement | Mandatory for B.Com (Hons), Eco (Hons), BMS |
| Age Limit | No general age limit |
| Merit Basis | 100% CUET score (eligibility first, then merit) |
CUET Eligibility for Banaras Hindu University
- For admission in Banaras Hindu University, the domain subjects will carry more weightage.
- The Age limit will be applicable for BHU Admissions.
- The Eligibility will be checked before the counselling process starts.
- In Science courses, the impact of language scores will be less.
| Parameter | Eligibility Details |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Exam | Class 12 / equivalent |
| Minimum Marks |
|
| Stream Requirement | Course-dependent (Science courses rigid) |
| CUET Papers Required | Domain subjects carry major weight |
| Subject-Specific Cut-offs | Applied in some programmes |
| Age Limit | Applied for select integrated courses |
| Merit Criteria | CUET score + eligibility compliance |
CUET Eligibility for Jawaharlal Nehru University
- In Jawaharlal Nehru University, the academic scores are more important than the stream available.
- The General Test and language scores will be important for the humanities courses.
| Parameter | Eligibility Details |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Exam | Class 12 or equivalent |
| Minimum Marks | Programme-specific |
| Stream Flexibility | Moderate (subject relevance matters) |
| CUET Papers Required | Language + Domain / GT |
| Preference Areas | Language proficiency, analytical ability |
| Age Limit | Mostly none at the UG level |
| Merit System | CUET score after eligibility screening |
CUET Eligibility for Aligarh Muslim University
- The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) will have different eligibility criteria for the courses.
- There will be restrictions in Professional and science courses.
| Parameter | Eligibility Details |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Exam | Class 12 / equivalent |
| Minimum Marks | Higher thresholds for select courses |
| Subject Requirements | Strict, course-specific |
| CUET Papers Required | Domain subjects essential |
| Age Criteria | Applied for professional courses |
| Reservation Rules | As per AMU norms + GOI |
| Merit Calculation | CUET score post eligibility check |
CUET University-Wise Eligibility Criteria PDF
CUET State Universities Eligibility Criteria
| University | Minimum Marks Requirement | Additional Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) | 50% (General)45% (SC/ST) | Relevant coursework is required for professional courses. |
| Dr B.R. Ambedkar University, Delhi | Aptitude tests are required for several programs. | |
| Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow | No specific percentage | Admission is determined based on the CUET results. |
CUET Deemed & Private Universities Eligibility Criteria
| University | Minimum Marks Requirement | Additional Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| TATA Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) | 50% (General)45% (SC/ST) | A further written evaluation might be necessary. |
| Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) | Some classes call for skill-based tests or interviews. | |
| Shiv Nadar University | 55% (General)50% (SC/ST) | For some courses, entrance is based on merit. |
FAQs for CUET Eligibility Criteria
Ques. Can I apply for CUET if I am appearing in the Class 12 exam in 2026?
Ans. Yes, candidates appearing in class 12 exam in 2026 are eligible to apply for CUET.
- These candidates will be provisionally eligible for the exam and should submit the proof of passing during the counselling.
- The Eligibility will be then confirmed during the counselling session.
Ques. Are NIOS and open board students eligible for CUET?
Ans. Yes, NIOS and other board candidates will be eligible for CUET, if their board is recognized and equivalent to class 12.
| Board Type | Eligibility Status |
|---|---|
| NIOS | Eligible |
| State Open Boards | Eligible (if recognized) |
| Private Open Boards | Subject to equivalence |
| Regular Boards | Fully eligible |
Ques. Will foreign board Class 12 certificates be accepted for CUET admissions?
Ans. Yes, foreign board class 12 certificates will be accepted, but the candidates have to provide the required certificates during the admission.
The Eligibility of foreign board:
| Requirement | Status |
|---|---|
| CUET Application | Allowed |
| Foreign Board Certificate | Accepted |
| Equivalence Proof | Often required |
| Final Approval | University-level |
Ques. How do I know which CUET subjects are required for my target course?
Ans. In CUET, the required subject as per the courses, are mentioned in the official admission brochure of each university, under the course-based eligibility criteria.
- You should check the course-wise requirements to know about it.
- The Required CUET Subjects, should be same as Class 12 Subjects.
Ques. Is reservation applicable at the CUET exam level or only during admission?
Ans. In CUET, the reservation, will not be applied at the exam or score level. It will be implement only during the admission process by the participating universities.
| Stage | Reservation Applied? |
|---|---|
| CUET Registration | Category declared only |
| CUET Exam | No |
| CUET Score | No |
| Admission/Counselling | Yes |
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If you are preparing for 12th board exams in 2026 and want to take BJMC, the Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication, via Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU). You can get admission through either the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) or the IPU CET.
Eligibility requires successful completion of 10+2 with at least 50 % aggregate (and English as a subject). After CUET or IPU-CET results, admission proceeds via merit list, counselling, seat allotment, document verification and fee payment.