How College Admission Works Through CUET 2026 — Complete Process
Step-by-step guide on how CUET-based college admission works — from registration to final admission at DU, JNU, BHU, and 250+ universities.
CUET is the exam — admission is a separate process. After CUET results, you must apply on each university's portal separately. Board marks are NOT used — only CUET score matters. Delhi University uses CSAS (centralised allocation), while JNU, BHU, and others have their own portals. This guide walks you through the complete process.
The Complete Admission Flow
Step 1: CUET Exam & Results
- CUET exam: Computer-based MCQ test conducted by NTA in May 2026
- Scoring: +5 correct, −1 wrong, 0 unattempted. Scores normalised across sessions.
- Results: NTA releases normalised scores and percentiles in June–July
- Download scorecard: From cuet.nta.nic.in — save it, you need it for every university application
Step 2: University-Specific Applications
This is where most students get confused. CUET registration ≠ university application. You must apply separately.
Delhi University (DU) — CSAS Process
| Step | What to Do | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Register on CSAS | Create account on du.ac.in CSAS portal | After CUET results |
| 2. Fill preferences | Rank your college + course combinations (up to 100+) | 1–2 weeks window |
| 3. Round 1 allocation | DU allocates based on CUET score + preferences + category | July 2026 |
| 4. Accept/Upgrade/Reject | Accept seat (freeze or float for upgrade), or reject | 2–3 days deadline |
| 5. Pay fees | Pay admission fee to confirm seat (₹5,000–₹25,000) | With acceptance |
| 6. Rounds 2–5 | Subsequent rounds for upgradation and vacant seats | July–August |
| 7. Spot round | Final round for remaining seats — fresh applications | August–September |
DU tip: Fill as many preferences as possible. Put your dream college-course first, then realistic options, then safety choices. There is no penalty for adding more preferences.
JNU — Admission Process
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1. Register on JNU portal | jnuee.jnu.ac.in — create account, fill details |
| 2. Select courses | Choose BA/BSc/BCom programmes offered by JNU |
| 3. Upload CUET scorecard | Enter CUET application number and scores |
| 4. Merit list | JNU publishes merit list based on CUET scores + reservation |
| 5. Document verification | Submit originals at JNU campus |
| 6. Fee payment | Pay admission fee to confirm |
BHU — Admission Process
- Apply on bhuonline.in after CUET results
- BHU uses CUET scores for all UG programmes
- Seat allocation through BHU's own counselling portal
- 3–4 rounds of allocation + spot round
- BHU also has some programmes with separate entrance — check course-wise requirements
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Start CUET Prep — FreeTop Universities Accepting CUET 2026
| University | Popular Courses | Application Portal | Approx. Fee/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi University | BA, BCom, BSc (100+ colleges) | du.ac.in (CSAS) | ₹10,000–₹30,000 |
| JNU | BA, BSc, BCom, Integrated | jnuee.jnu.ac.in | ₹500–₹5,000 |
| BHU | BA, BCom, BSc, BBA | bhuonline.in | ₹5,000–₹20,000 |
| Jamia Millia Islamia | BA, BCom, BBA, Engg | jmicoe.in | ₹10,000–₹30,000 |
| Allahabad University | BA, BSc, BCom | allduniv.ac.in | ₹5,000–₹15,000 |
| Aligarh Muslim University | BA, BSc, BCom, Engg | amucontrollerexams.com | ₹5,000–₹20,000 |
| Tezpur University | BA, BSc, BBA, Mass Comm | tezu.ernet.in | ₹10,000–₹25,000 |
| Central University of Rajasthan | BA, BSc, BCom, BBA | curaj.ac.in | ₹10,000–₹20,000 |
| Pondicherry University | BA, BSc, BBA | pondiuni.edu.in | ₹5,000–₹15,000 |
250+ universities accept CUET. Check cuet.nta.nic.in for the full list. Many state universities have also started accepting CUET scores.
Understanding CUET Cutoffs
| College (DU) | BCom Hons (Gen) | BA Eco Hons (Gen) | BA Eng Hons (Gen) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRCC | 310–320 | 300–310 | — |
| Hindu College | 300–310 | 295–305 | 290–300 |
| St. Stephen's | 295–305 | 290–300 | 285–295 |
| Hansraj | 290–300 | 280–290 | 275–285 |
| Ramjas | 280–290 | 275–285 | 270–280 |
| Miranda House (W) | 285–295 | 280–290 | 275–285 |
| Kirori Mal | 275–285 | 270–280 | 265–275 |
| Daulat Ram (W) | 260–270 | 255–265 | 250–260 |
Cutoffs are approximate CUET scores (out of ~400 for most subjects). Based on CSAS 2024–2025 Round 1 data. OBC/SC/ST cutoffs are 20–50 marks lower. Cutoffs vary significantly by round — Round 5 can be 30–50 marks lower than Round 1.
Round-by-Round Strategy
| Round | Strategy |
|---|---|
| Round 1 | If allotted your top choice — accept and freeze. If allotted a lower choice — accept but float (stay in for upgrades). |
| Rounds 2–3 | Cutoffs may drop. If you get an upgrade — accept it. If not, keep floating. Do NOT reject your current seat unless you have a confirmed alternative. |
| Rounds 4–5 | Final rounds. If you have a seat, decide whether to freeze or try one last time for upgrade. Evaluate realistically. |
| Spot Round | Fresh registration allowed. Cutoffs can drop significantly. Good opportunity for students who missed earlier rounds. |
Documents Needed for University Admission
- CUET scorecard (printed from cuet.nta.nic.in)
- Class 12 marksheet (original + 4 copies)
- Class 10 marksheet (for DOB verification)
- Transfer Certificate (TC)
- Character Certificate
- Migration Certificate (if changing board/state)
- Category Certificate (OBC-NCL/SC/ST/EWS — must be recent)
- Passport-size photographs (10 copies)
- Aadhaar card
- Gap year affidavit (if applicable, notarised)
Get all documents ready before Round 1. Missing documents during verification = seat cancellation. OBC-NCL certificates must be issued within the last 1 year.
Timeline — CUET to Admission 2026
| Month | Activity |
|---|---|
| Feb–Mar | CUET registration at cuet.nta.nic.in |
| May | CUET exam |
| June–July | CUET results. Register on university portals (DU CSAS, JNU, BHU, etc.) |
| July | Fill preferences. Round 1 allocation. |
| July–Aug | Rounds 2–5. Accept/upgrade/reject decisions. |
| Aug–Sep | Spot rounds. Classes begin at most universities. |
5 Tips for CUET-Based Admission
- Apply to 5+ universities. Do not put all eggs in one basket. Apply to DU + JNU + BHU + 2 more. Each costs ₹200–₹500 — minimal investment for backup options.
- Fill maximum preferences. In CSAS (DU), fill 80–100+ college-course combinations. No penalty for more preferences.
- Check subject requirements. Each course at each university requires specific CUET subjects. Mismatch = ineligibility.
- Keep documents ready early. OBC-NCL certificate takes 2–4 weeks. Start the process during CUET preparation, not after results.
- Monitor cutoff trends. Compare your score with previous year cutoffs. If your score is borderline, always participate in later rounds — cutoffs drop.
Admission processes based on 2025 CSAS and university guidelines. Each university may modify its process for 2026. Cutoffs are approximate and change annually. Always check official university websites for the latest admission brochures. Last updated: February 2026.
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Start free practiceFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need to apply separately to each university after CUET?
Yes. CUET is only the entrance exam. After CUET results, you must apply separately on each university's admission portal with your CUET score. For Delhi University: apply on du.ac.in. For JNU: apply on jnuee.jnu.ac.in. Each university has its own application process, deadline, and fee. CUET registration does NOT automatically apply you to universities.
How are CUET cutoffs calculated?
CUET cutoffs are based on your normalised CUET score (not raw marks). NTA normalises scores across multiple shifts/days. Universities then set cutoffs based on: (1) number of applicants for that course, (2) available seats, (3) category reservation. Cutoffs are released round-wise — Round 1 cutoffs are highest, subsequent rounds may be lower.
Can I get DU admission with low board marks but high CUET score?
Yes. Delhi University uses ONLY CUET scores for admission — board marks are NOT considered. If you scored 60% in boards but 90th percentile in CUET, you can still get into top DU colleges. This is the biggest advantage of CUET — it levels the playing field between different boards (CBSE, ICSE, state boards).
How many rounds of counselling are there?
Most universities conduct 3–5 rounds of seat allocation based on CUET scores. DU typically has 5 rounds + spot round. JNU has 3 rounds. BHU has 3–4 rounds. After each round, candidates must accept/reject the seat and pay fees. Cutoffs usually drop with each round as seats become vacant.
What is CSAS (Common Seat Allocation System)?
CSAS is Delhi University's centralised admission system that uses CUET scores. After CUET results: (1) Register on CSAS portal (du.ac.in), (2) Fill programme and college preferences (up to 100+), (3) DU allocates seats based on CUET score + preferences + reservation, (4) Accept/reject allocation in each round, (5) Pay fees to confirm. Similar to JoSAA for engineering.
Is CUET score valid for one year only?
Yes. CUET scores are valid only for the admission cycle of that year. If you do not get admission in 2026, you must appear for CUET again in 2027. There is no provision to carry forward CUET scores. This is different from some competitive exams where scores are valid for 2–3 years.