CUET UG exam day guidelines 2026 is released by NTA on its official website. Candidates appearing for the exam can download it along with the CUET admit card 2026, which is expected to be released 3-4 days before the exam. The guidelines contain all the important instructions that students must follow at the allotted centre.
NTA has scheduled the CUET 2026 exam from May 11 to May 31, 2026. The CUET UG 2026 will be held in CBT mode at 306 centres in India and in 15 cities outside India. On the day of the exam, candidates must carry their admit card and original ID proof for verification.
CUET Exam Day Guidelines 2026 – Important Instructions and Overview
CUET exam day guidelines include information on dress code, documents required for the CUET hall and things that are allowed and prohibited to carry at the centre. Check out an overview of the CUET 2026 tabulated below:
| Particulars | Details |
| CUET exam date | May 11 to May 31, 2026 |
| Examination Mode | CBT |
| Exam duration | 60 minutes |
| Reporting time | 2 hours before the exam |
| Exam shift | Multiple shift |
| Documents | Admit card, ID proof, passport-size photograph, self-declaration undertaking, PwD certificate (if applicable) |
| Total marks | 250 |
| No. of questions | 50 |
| Marking scheme | +5 for each correct response, -1 for each incorrect answer |
CUET 2026 Exam Timings and Shift Schedule
CUET 2026 will be held in multiple shifts. The NTA has not yet released subject-wise dates and the shift schedule. You can expect the exam timings to be out by the 1st week of May, 2026, at the official website, cuet.nta.nic.in.
Reporting Time and Gate Closing Rules
Based on the previous years’ data, we have provided the tentative exam timings and shifts below. You can refer to the following table to just not have an idea about it. The following will be updated as soon as NTA releases the schedule.
| Shift | Reporting Time (Tentative) | Exam Time (Tentative) |
| Shift 1 | 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM | 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon |
| Shift 2 | 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM | 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM |
Mandatory NTA Guidelines for Candidates
Students taking CUET UG 2026 must abide by the NTA guidelines on the day of the exam. Check out the important instructions listed below:
- Download the CUET admit card 2026 from the official website.
- Reach the allotted centre at least 2 hours before the exam.
- Carry your CUET admit card 2026 with the necessary documents.
- Report to the allotted exam centre as per the timing mentioned in your admit card.
- Complete the verification process by providing the required documents.
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CUET Dress Code 2026 – What to Wear and What to Avoid
It is mandatory to follow the CUET dress code on the day of the exam. There is a separate dress code for male and female candidates applicable to students appearing for the exam. Strict action will be taken if any student fails to follow the dress code for the exam. Check out the permitted dress code for males and females provided below.
Permitted Dress Code for Male Candidates
- Male candidates taking the exam should wear a short-sleeved shirt/t-shirt.
- Jeans with multiple pockets are strictly prohibited.
- Smart watches, chains or wearing any metal items are not permitted.
- Wearing shoes is not allowed.
Permitted Dress Code for Female Candidates
- Female candidates appearing for the exam should wear short-sleeved kurtis or tops.
- Clothes with too much work and long sleeves are not allowed to be worn.
- Low-heeled slippers or sandals can be worn on the day of the exam.
Items Allowed for Religious or Medical Reasons
In case any candidate is wearing religious items, he/she should report to the centre 2 hours before the exam so that frisking is done on time. In case of medical reasons, students must obtain approval from NTA before the release of the admit card.
Checkout important resources for CUET Exam here:
| CUET Exam Pattern | CUET Exam Registration |
| CUET Admit Card | CUET Marks vs Percentile |
| CUET Universities List | CUET Syllabus |
| CUET Passing Marks 2026 | CUET Application Form |
Things to Carry to CUET Exam Centre 2026
As per the NTA rules, the following things are allowed to be carried at the CUET exam centre 2026:
- CUET admit card and other documents.
- A transparent ball-point pen.
- Transparent water bottle without any labels or markings.
CUET Admit Card 2026 (Mandatory Document)
Carrying the necessary documents is crucial to get entry to the exam hall. Note down the following documents to carry with yourself at the CUET exam centre.
- A copy of the CUET admit card.
- Self-declaration undertaking, which will be available for download along with the admit card.
- One passport-sized photograph.
- Original photo ID proof, such as PAN card/Aadhaar Card/bank passbook with photograph/class 12 board admit card with photograph or school identity card.
- PwD/PwBD certificate, if applicable. Note that the certificate should be issued by an authorised medical officer.
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Things Not to Carry to CUET Exam Centre 2026
There are certain items which are strictly not permitted inside the CUET exam hall. Check out the list of prohibited items mentioned below:
- You cannot carry printed or written material.
- Stationary items like a pencil, scale, writing pad or calculator are not allowed to be carried.
- Any electronic devices such as Bluetooth, earphones, microphones, smartwatch, etc.
- Female candidates wearing metallic ornaments.
- Food items are also not allowed inside the exam hall.
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CUET UG Admit Card 2026 – Download Process and Instructions
CUET UG admit card 2026 will be available for download at the official website of CUET. Candidates are required to use the login credentials, such as application number, date of birth or password, to log in to their portal. Once you download the admit card, verify the mentioned details like your name spelling, photograph, subject you opted for, etc.
Steps to Download CUET Admit Card
You can download your CUET admit card using the following steps:
- Visit the CUET official website, which is cuet.nta.nic.in.
- Look for the admit card link provided on the homepage of the website.
- Click on the link and provide the asked credentials.
- After this, you can download the admit card and verify the details.
Details Mentioned on CUET UG Admit Card
- Name of the candidates.
- Photograph of the candidates.
- Exam date and shift.
- Exam centre with centre code.
- Reporting time.
- Exam day guidelines and instructions.
Important resources for CUET Exam:
FAQ’s on CUET 2026 Exam Day Guidelines
Candidates taking the upcoming CUET exam must wear light clothes without too many pockets or work. Wearing shoes or any kind of ornaments is strictly prohibited at the CUET centre.
On the day of the CUET exam, students must carry an admit card, required documents, a ballpoint pen and a transparent water bottle.
Female candidates can wear short-sleeved tops or a kurti without any heavy work. Female candidates are allowed to wear low heeled sandals or slippers.
Yes, only ball point pens are allowed to be carried at the centre. The pen body should be transparent and free from any labelling or marking.
The total duration of CUET UG 2026 is 60 minutes per paper. There is no sectional time limit, and the exam will be held in CBT mode.
Students cannot carry electronic devices, books or any form of written materials, stationery items, metallic ornaments or food inside the CUET exam hall.
A good score in CUET varies from subject to subject. But if you aim for top colleges like DU, JMI, JNU, and BBAU, your score should be 240+, which is equivalent to the 100th percentile in CUET.
Documents you need to carry for CUET 2026 are the admit card, original ID proof, one passport-size photograph, self-declaration undertaking and PwD certificate (if applicable).
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