CUET PG Exam Pattern 2026: Check Revised Pattern, Marking Scheme, Total Marks, Chapter Wise Weightage, Duration

Updated By Aarushi Jain on 15 Jan, 2026 19:03

Candidates preparing for CUET PG 2026 face 75 multiple-choice questions on domain-specific topics for their postgraduate program. The test lasts 90 minutes in a computer-based format, offered bilingually by NTA. Correct answers earn +4 marks, while incorrect ones deduct -1, with no general section included.

Your Ultimate Exam Preparation Guide Awaits!

CUET PG Exam Pattern 2026 Overview

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has now published the CUET PG 2026 exam pattern on its official website, keeping it unchanged from the previous year. This computer-based test covers 157 subjects and is set to take place between March and April 2026, helping you secure admission into postgraduate programs such as MSc, MBA, MA, MCA, and MTech at over 190 participating universities, including top institutions like Delhi University and JNU.

The CUET PG 2026 registrations are ongoing, starting from December 14, 2025, with the deadline extended to January 20, 2026, at 11:50 PM for form submission and fee payment. Application forms correction window will become available from January 23 to 25, 2026. Each paper features 75 multiple-choice questions drawn from the CUET PG 2026 syllabus, which you can access online. You receive 90 minutes per subject, and the question paper appears in bilingual format, English and Hindi, across all streams, like Science, Humanities, and Languages. This structure ensures fairness, mirroring patterns from recent exams where over 2.5 lakh candidates registered last year.

Upcoming Exams :

New Changes Introduced in CUET PG 2026 Exam Pattern

The University Grants Commission (UGC) and the National Testing Agency (NTA) have released guidelines for the Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate (CUET PG) exam for the academic year 2026. A committee of experts was set up to assess the exam's performance. The committee carefully examined a variety of topics, such as the curriculum, the exam's structure, the number of papers, the length of each paper, and the logistical procedures.

In order to be granted admission to postgraduate programs,  you must pass the CUET PG exam. A remarkable 462,000 applicants took part in the 768,414 examinations administered last year. The 157 exam subjects for CUET PG 2026 will be held in March 2026.

Important Changes NTA Introduced

  • The format is still computer-based (CBT).
  • The study will take place once a year and last 90 minutes for each subject and paper.
  • Type of Question: Compulsory with negative marking
  • Language: Bilingual
  • Difficulty Level: Designed to evaluate skill-based knowledge pertinent to particular professions and undergraduate programs, the 2024 CUET PG General Question Paper is anticipated to be comparable.

CUET PG 2026 Exam Pattern Highlights

The following are the highlights of the CUET PG 2026 exam pattern expected:

Particulars

Details

Mode of the examination

Computer-based test (CBT)/Lan-based/Online

Medium/ Language

English and Hindi

Duration of the examination

90 minutes

Frequency of exam in a year

Once a year

Type of questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) asked from CUET PG syllabus

Total number of Questions

75

Total Marks

300

Negative marking

Yes

Marking Scheme

+4 for correct answer| -1 for an incorrect answer

Total sections in the question paper

1

Name of the section and number of questions asked from it

Section A: Scrapped

Section B: Domain Specific Questions

CUET PG 2026 Detailed Exam Structure

The following table presents the exam structure of the CUET PG 2026 question paper:

Part

Sections/Subjects

Number of Questions

A

Domain knowledge Question from CUET PG syllabus 2026

75

The table that follows provides the complete CUET PG 2026 examination structure for each of the subjects that will be tested. Candidates can refer to the table below as they study for the CUET PG 2026 exam:

Exam Pattern And Important Topics

Examination Subjects

No. of questions 75 (MCQs): 75 Domain Knowledge Questions comprising of: 

Teaching Aptitude

 G.K related to School/ Education/ Books/ Films/ Institutions/ Awards.

 Mathematics

Science & Environment

Social Sciences

Arts, Music, Yoga, Theatre, Sports.

Common:

BEd, BEd-MEd Integrated, BEd (HI),B Ed (ID),B Ed (VI), Lifelong Learning & Extension etc.

No. of questions 75 (MCQs): 75 Domain Knowledge (Science Stream) questions

Science;

Agricultural Science- Agricultural Economics; Agronomy; Entomology; Agricultural Extension & Communication; Genetics & Plant Breeding; Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Plant Physiology; Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Agriculture Technology (Informatics), Agro forestry, Microbiology/Applied Microbiology, Architecture and Planning ,Sustainable Architecture, Architecture and Design,Urban & Regional Planning, Architecture and Planning ,Sustainable Architecture, Architecture and Design,Urban & Regional Planning, Biochemistry,Anatomy, Pharmacolog y,Bio Science, Bioinformatics,Food Science and Nutrition,Bio Science - Bioinformatics,
Botany, Bio Science, Chemistry, Chemical Sciences, Industrial Chemistry etc.
Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Application, Big Data Analytics, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, etc.
 Criminology Environmental Sciences/Studies,Ecology etc. Food Science and Technology, Nutrition,Food Processing and Management,Food Safety and
Quality Control etc. Forensic Science, Geology , Earth Sciences,Applied Geology Geophysics ,Horticulture,Forestry & Biodiversity,Seed Science & Technology,Plant Breeding,Agronomy,Genetics,Fruit Science, Floriculture, Vegetable Science etc. Life Science-Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Botany, Bioinformatics, Molecular Medicine, Zoology, Biomedical Engineering & Science,Virology and Immunology,
Optometry, Bio-Physics, Genetics, Health Science, Material Science
Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Electronics, Medical Laboratory Technology, Medical Physics etc. MPT, Nanoscience/Integrative Biosciences, Pharmacy-Pharmacology,Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacognosy, Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Science, Pharmaceutical Analysis etc. Physics, Computational and Integrative Sciences, Electronics, Applied Physics, Applied Physics + Electronics Engineering, Plant Biotechnology, Soil Science - Soil & Water Conservation, Statistics , Applied Mathematics, Statistics & Computing, Data Science and Applied Statistics etc, Zoology, Sericulture, Human Genetics,  Atmospheric Science, Animal Science(Poultry).

No. of questions 75 (MCQs): 75 Domain Knowledge (Humanities Stream) questions

Humanities

Ancient Indian History, Culture & Arch, Archaeology Heritage Management, Conservation Preservation and Heritage Management etc. Anthropology,  Applied Arts, Art and Aesthetics, Dance - Kathak/Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Theatre Arts,
Folk and Performing Arts and Culture, Dramatics, Rabindra Nritya etc.
Dev. and Labour Studies, Fine Arts - Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Art History & Visual Studies, Mural etc. Geography, History and Archaeology, Ancient Indian History, Culture etc. History of Art, Archaeology Heritage Management etc. Home Science-Food & Nutrition,Nutrition and Health,Human Development & Childhood Studies, Fabric & Apparel Science etc. 

No. of questions 75 (MCQs): 75 Domain Knowledge (MTeach/Higher Sciences) questions

MTech/ Higher Sciences

Chemical Thermal & Polymer Engineering,Thermal Engineering, Civil, Structural & Transport Engg. Dairy Technology, Data Science, Artifical Intelligence, Cyber Security & Computer Science,Computer Sciences &
Engineering/Technology,Information Technology etc. Electronics, Communication and Information Engineering,Digital Communication,Micro
Electronics Engg ,VLSI Design,Microwave Electronics, Food Engineering and Technology, Mechanical Engineering,Manufacturing & Industrial,Tool Engineering etc. Nano Science/Nano Technology, Computer Aided Design & Manufacturing, Nanoelectronics/Material Sciencs Electrical, Power,Energy Engineering,Green Energy Technology etc. Water Engineering and Management,Agricultural Engineering etc.Textile Engineering.


No. of questions 75 (MCQs): 75 Domain Knowledge (Literature Stream) questions

Literature:

English,Comparative Literature,English & Cultural Studies,English, Modern European,English(Cafeteria)
Hindi,Hindi translation,Hindi and Comparative Literature,Hindi and Modern Indian Languages etc, Sanskrit, Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Linguistics and Language Technology, Linguistics & Tribal
Languages, Computational Linguistics, Arabic, Assamese,  Bengali, Bhutia
, Chinese, French, Garo, German, Gujarati, Hispanic, Japanese,  Kannada, Kashmiri, Khasi, Kokborok, Korean, Lepcha, Limbu, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Pali, Pashto, Persian,Prakrit, Prayojanmoolak Hindi(Patrakarita),  Punjabi, Russian, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Urdu Journalism, Indo-Tibetan, Santali, Italian.


75 Domain Knowledge questions in Acharya.

Note: Acharya Papers would be in Sanskrit except Hindu Studies, Indian Knowledge System and Baudha Darshan. 

Acharya:

Agama, Baudha Darshan / Buddhist Studies (Bilingual - Hindi/English), Dharma Shastra, Vastu, Paurohitya and Veda Dharma Vijnan, Dharmashastra (BHU), Hindu Studies (Bilingual - Hindi/English)),  Indian Knowledge System, Jain Darshan (BHU), Jyotish -Falit (BHU), Jyotish -Ganit (BHU), Krishna Yajurveda (BHU),  Nyaya Vaisheshika, Phalita and Siddantha Jyotisha, Puranetihas, Rigveda, Sahitya (BHU), Sahitya (Alankara and Kavya varga), Samveda, Shukla Yajurveda (BHU), Veda
Vedanta (BHU), Vedanta, Sarvadarshan, Mimansa,Nyaya etc.
Vyakaran (BHU), Vyakarana & Sabdabodha Systems

75 Domain Knowledge questions 

Note: Acharya Papers would be in Sanskrit except Hindu Studies, Indian Knowledge System and Baudha Darshan. 

Acharya:

Shiksha Shastri BEd, Shiksha Acharya MEd

75 MCQ Questions Comprising:

Hindi/English Language Comprehension/

Verbal Ability

Mathematical

Quantitative ability

Data Interpretation

Logical Reasoning (Bilingual English/Hindi)

Common:

General MBA, Marketing & Finance Management,Tourism, Travel & Hotel Management, Business Analytics, Sales & Marketing etc.

75 MCQ Questions Comprising

Hindi/English Language Comprehension/

Verbal Ability

General Knowledge

Awareness, Computer Basics

Logical Reasoning (Bilingual English/Hindi)

Common:

General, LLB,Bachelor of Library & Information Science(One Year),Defence and Strategic Studies, Jammu & Kashmir Studies , Hindu Studies, Women Studies, Anthropology, Digital Society,Finance & Taxation,Physical Education,Textile Design, Hospitality and Tourism Management,Gender Studies etc. 

75 Domain Knowledge questions 

Common:

Agri-Business Management, Applied Geography, Geoinformatics and Geographic Information Systems, Applied Geography, Geoinformatics and Geographic Information Systems, BEd Languages, BEd Science, BEd Mathematics, Commerce,Business Finance, Accounting & Taxation, Economic Administration and Financial Management etc, Disaster Studies, Economics,Financial Economics,Business Economics,Rural Economics etc, Library and Information Science, LLM, MEd, MA Education, Mass commumnication and Journalism, Physical Education, Public Health, Sports, Yoga, Hospital Management.

Note:

  • Language papers will be in the respective language, except Linguistic, which will be in English.
  • M.Tech/Higher Sciences programs would only be offered in English.
  • Except for Hindu Studies, Indian Knowledge System, and Baudha Darshan, all Acharya papers would be written in Sanskrit.
  • Humanities, Sciences, and Common papers would be bilingual (English and Hindi).
  • The exam would be held in three shifts.
  • Except for languages and Acharya, the English versions of the question papers shall be considered final.

CUET PG Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

Candidates preparing for CUET PG 2026 follow the same marking scheme as the prior year. Section A has been eliminated, reducing questions to 75 with a total of 300 marks for the 90-minute exam. Expect +4 marks per correct answer and -1 for incorrect ones, while unanswered questions carry no penalty.

Specifics

Marks Awarded

Each question carries

4 marks

Total number of questions- 75

300- Total/ Maximum Marks

For a correct response

+4 marks awarded

For an incorrect response

-1 mark will be deducted

Unanswered/un-attempted answers

0 marks awarded

CUET PG Exam Pattern 2026 Important Pointers

The CUET PG exam pattern 2026 will certainly help you in understanding the complete structure of the CUET PG exam. The following pointers describe the complete CUET PG 2026 exam pattern:

  • Select up to four question paper codes to match your postgraduate program choices.
  • Each paper stands alone without a separate General Test; treat General papers as subject options if needed.
  • Comprehension sections appear in English or Hindi, based on your registration preference.
  • Complete the exam within 90 minutes per paper.
  • Answer 75 questions in total for each paper.
  • Earn 4 marks for every correct response, with a 1-mark deduction for incorrect answers.
  • Language papers use the specific language, except for Linguistics, which remains in English.
  • M.Tech and higher science papers are conducted entirely in English.
  • Acharya papers are delivered in Sanskrit, excluding Hindu Studies, Indian Knowledge System, and Baudha Darshan.
  • Common, science, and humanities papers offer bilingual options in Hindi and English.
  • Exams run across three shifts daily.
  • Final question papers, barring languages and Acharya, provide authoritative versions in English and Hindi; English prevails as definitive where discrepancies arise.
  • Access the full CUET PG 2026 syllabus directly from the NTA website.

Want to know more about CUET PG

FAQs about CUET PG Exam Pattern

What is the duration of the CUET PG 2026 exam?

You will find the CUET PG 2026 exam lasts 90 minutes per paper. The National Testing Agency sets this duration for all subjects, as confirmed in the official notification and recent patterns. Plan your preparation around this time to manage 75 questions effectively.

What is the structure of the CUET PG 2026 exam pattern?

You face the CUET PG 2026 exam as a computer-based test with 75 multiple-choice questions to complete in 90 minutes. Each correct answer earns 4 marks while each wrong one deducts 1 mark. The questions test domain knowledge and general aptitude from your chosen subject, with up to four papers available.

What is the marking scheme for CUET PG 2026?

The marking scheme for the CUET PG 2026 is as follows: 

  • 75 MCQs
  • Each correct response is worth 4 marks 
  • For every incorrect answer, 1 mark will be deducted
  • No marks will be awarded or deducted for questions left unanswered
  • The maximum score for the CUET PG 2026 exam is 300 marks

How are CUET PG exam marks calculated?

Candidates will receive 4 marks for each correct answer in the CUET PG marking scheme. Candidates will lose one mark for each incorrect answer. There will be no deduction of marks for failing to attempt any questions.

Should students attempt all the questions? Are there any negative markings in CUET PG 2026?

You should not attempt all questions in CUET PG 2026. Negative marking applies, deducting 1 mark for each wrong answer, while correct ones award 4 marks. Unattempted questions receive zero marks, so skip uncertain ones to safeguard your score.

How many questions asked in the CUET PG 2026 exam?

You face 75 multiple-choice questions in the CUET PG 2026 exam. This pattern holds steady from past years, like 2025, with each paper lasting 90 minutes and carrying 300 total marks. Official NTA updates and reliable sources confirm that this structure helps you focus on preparation effectively.

What is the exam mode for CUET PG 2026?

You take the CUET PG 2026 exam in online mode as a computer-based test. The National Testing Agency conducts it this way each year, with 75 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes. Prepare for this format by practising on computers to build confidence and speed.

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