The 2026 Indian higher education admission landscape is characterized by high competition and a transition toward raw score-based merit lists following the discontinuation of normalization in major exams like CUET.
Below is a guide to the eligibility and cutoff trends for the 2026 academic cycle.
## 1. CUET UG 2026: Central & State Universities
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is now the primary gateway for undergraduate admissions in India.
Eligibility: * Academic: Minimum 50% in Class 12 (45% for SC/ST).
Age Limit: No upper age limit, though specific universities may have internal policies.
Subject Mapping: Students must select subjects in the entrance exam that they studied in Class 12 for many top universities (e.g., Delhi University).
Expected Cutoffs (General Category):
Top Tier (DU, BHU, JNU): 750+ out of 800 (98+ percentile).
Competitive Courses (Economics, Pol. Science): May reach as high as 790+.