CUET: How to Get Into Delhi University

Until 2021, getting into Delhi University meant chasing cut-off percentages that occasionally brushed 100% in popular courses — a system that rewarded marks inflation over actual readiness. The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) replaced that with a single national exam, and it changed how an entire generation plans its undergraduate admission.

CUET is conducted by the National Testing Agency and is now the primary route into undergraduate programmes at Delhi University and most other central universities, replacing the old board-percentage cut-off system for these institutions. Instead of your Class 12 board percentage deciding your fate, a normalised entrance-test score does — which matters because it puts students from different boards (CBSE, ICSE, state boards) on a comparable footing for the first time.

Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Banaras Hindu University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh Muslim University, and most other central universities now admit undergraduates primarily through CUET. A growing number of state and deemed universities have also opted in, using CUET scores alongside or instead of their own entrance tests — so a single exam attempt can realistically open doors at several universities at once.

CUET (UG) is a computer-based test split into sections — language papers, domain-specific subject papers, and a general test — and a student chooses which subject papers to sit for based on the courses they intend to apply to. This is the part that trips up the most students: your subject-paper choices must match the eligibility requirements of the courses you actually want, so mapping that out before you fill the exam form matters as much as studying for it.

Clearing CUET only gets you a score — admission itself runs through Delhi University's own centralised counselling process (CSAS), where you register your college and course preferences and are allotted seats across multiple rounds based on your CUET score, category, and how competitive each combination is. Popular combinations at popular colleges still fill up fast, so ranking your preferences realistically, rather than only aspirationally, tends to produce a smoother admission experience.

Pick papers that genuinely match the course you want rather than papers you find easiest — a mismatch here can quietly disqualify you from your first-choice course regardless of your score. It also helps to check each target university's specific domain-subject requirements early, since they aren't identical across institutions even for the same course name.

Does my Class 12 board percentage matter at all for CUET-based admission?

For most CUET-participating universities, board marks are used only to confirm minimum eligibility, not to rank you against other applicants — the CUET score does the ranking.

Can I apply to multiple central universities with one CUET score?

Yes — a single CUET attempt can be used to apply across every participating university, as long as your subject-paper choices match each course's requirements.

Is CUET compulsory for Delhi University admission?

Yes, for undergraduate admission to DU's regular colleges, CUET is now the mandatory entry route.

How is the CUET score normalised across different exam shifts?

The NTA applies a percentile-based normalisation method across shifts and sessions so that no student is disadvantaged by a harder or easier shift.

What if I don't get my preferred college in the first counselling round?

DU's counselling process runs multiple rounds, and seats vacated in later rounds are reopened, so preferences can still be revised or upgraded as the process continues.

CUET: How to Get Into Delhi University and Other Central Universities

What Changed With CUET

Which Universities Accept CUET Scores

Exam Pattern and Subject Combinations

DU Admission Process After CUET

Tips for Choosing Subject Combinations

Frequently asked questions

Does my Class 12 board percentage matter at all for CUET-based admission?

Can I apply to multiple central universities with one CUET score?

Is CUET compulsory for Delhi University admission?

How is the CUET score normalised across different exam shifts?

What if I don't get my preferred college in the first counselling round?

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