NTA Sounds Alarm for CUET UG 2026 Applications: Complete Registration Before January 30 Deadline
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released a crucial public notification on its official portal, strongly advising students to finalize their Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG) 2026 applications well in advance of the impending January 30 deadline. The testing body has explicitly cautioned aspirants against procrastination, highlighting the severe portal traffic and frequent technical glitches that typically emerge during the final hours before closure.
Critical Application Timeline and Examination Schedule
The online registration process for CUET UG 2026 commenced on January 3 and is scheduled to conclude on January 30 at 11:50 PM. Candidates will have an additional day to complete their payment, with the application fee window remaining open until January 31, also until 11:50 PM. The NTA has emphasized the importance of early submission to ensure a seamless application experience without last-minute complications.
The CUET UG 2026 examination is tentatively planned to be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode between May 11 and May 31, 2026. The test will be administered across numerous examination centers in cities throughout India, along with 15 international centers located outside the country. This extensive network underscores the growing national and international significance of this unified undergraduate entrance examination.
Significance of CUET UG and Correction Window Details
The CUET UG examination functions as a comprehensive single-window gateway for undergraduate admissions to all central universities and numerous other participating institutions across India. With hundreds of thousands of students anticipated to compete for a limited number of seats, timely registration represents the first and most critical step in the competitive admission journey.
In a significant development, the NTA has announced that a correction window will be available for applicants from February 2 to February 4, 2026. During this specified period, candidates who have already submitted their applications will be permitted to edit select details in their forms, providing an opportunity to rectify any errors or update information.
Step-by-Step Application Process for CUET UG 2026
Aspirants can complete their CUET UG 2026 registration exclusively through the official CUET portal. Follow these detailed steps to ensure successful application submission:
- Navigate to the official CUET website and initiate the process by registering with essential personal details including your full name, date of birth, valid email address, and active mobile number.
- Access your account using the login credentials provided after successful registration.
- Comprehensively fill in all required personal information, academic details, category specifications, and contact information.
- Carefully select the specific subjects for which you intend to appear in the examination.
- Upload clear scanned copies of your recent photograph, signature, and any other mandatory documents as specified.
- Proceed to pay the application fee through any of the available online payment methods.
- Download and securely save the confirmation page for all future reference and documentation purposes.
Essential Document Preparation Guidelines
Students are strongly advised to prepare all necessary documents in advance to prevent interruptions during the application process. The required documentation includes:
- A valid government-issued photo identity proof
- Class 10 certificate for date of birth verification
- Class 12 marksheet or current school details if appearing for the examination
- A recent passport-sized photograph meeting specified dimensions
- A clear signature specimen
- Category certificates or Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) certificates where applicable
By following these guidelines and submitting applications well before the deadline, candidates can avoid the technical difficulties and portal congestion that typically plague last-minute submissions, thereby securing their opportunity to compete in this crucial national-level entrance examination.