CUET UG 2026: NTA Urges Early Registration Ahead of January 30 Deadline

The National Testing Agency has issued an advisory urging aspirants to complete their CUET UG 2026 registration well before the January 30 deadline, cautioning against last-minute submissions that often result in technical difficulties. With undergraduate admissions becoming increasingly competitive, the agency has advised candidates to plan their applications early to ensure a smooth process.

According to the advisory, the application window for CUET UG 2026 opened on January 3 and will close on January 30 at 11:50 pm. Candidates will have an additional day, until January 31 at 11:50 pm, to complete the fee payment process. The NTA noted that a heavy rush of applicants during the final hours typically leads to server congestion, payment failures, and incomplete submissions, which could jeopardise an applicant’s chances.

The agency has emphasised that early registration not only reduces stress but also allows candidates sufficient time to verify details, upload documents correctly, and address any technical issues that may arise. Aspirants have been advised to carefully read the information bulletin and eligibility criteria before filling out the application form.

CUET UG serves as a single-window entrance examination for admission to undergraduate programmes offered by central universities and several other participating institutions across the country. Over the years, the exam has emerged as a crucial gateway for higher education, attracting lakhs of students competing for a limited number of seats. Given the scale of participation, timely completion of the application process is being viewed as an essential first step.

Exam Schedule and Mode

The CUET UG 2026 examination is tentatively scheduled to be conducted between May 11 and May 31. The test will be held in computer-based test (CBT) mode across numerous examination centres in India, along with 15 international locations. This expanded footprint reflects the growing reach of the exam and its importance for students seeking admission to Indian universities from abroad.

To accommodate candidates and ensure fairness, the exam will be conducted over multiple days, with subject-wise scheduling to manage large volumes of applicants. Candidates are expected to receive details regarding city intimation slips and admit cards closer to the examination dates.

Correction Window Announced

The NTA has also announced a limited correction window from February 2 to February 4, 2026. During this period, applicants will be allowed to edit select fields in their application forms, as specified by the agency. However, candidates have been cautioned not to rely on the correction window as an alternative to careful form filling, as not all details may be editable later.

Application Process

To apply for CUET UG 2026, candidates must first register on the official portal using basic details such as name, date of birth, mobile number, and email ID. After logging in with the generated credentials, applicants need to fill in personal, academic, and category-related information, select the subjects they wish to appear for, upload scanned copies of required documents, and complete the fee payment using online payment options.

Applicants are advised to keep key documents ready before starting the application process. These include a valid photo identity proof, Class 10 certificate for date of birth verification, Class 12 marksheet or school details for appearing candidates, a recent passport-sized photograph, signature, and applicable category or PwBD certificates.

With the registration deadline approaching, the NTA has reiterated its appeal to candidates to avoid last-minute submissions and complete the process early to ensure a hassle-free experience. As competition intensifies for undergraduate admissions nationwide, timely and accurate registration could make a critical difference.