CUET PG Eligibility Criteria 2026: Comprehensive Guide for All Courses

The NTA released the CUET PG eligibility criteria 2026 along with the official notification on Dec 14, 2026. The Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate Programmes (CUET PG) 2026 will be the sole national entry point for PG courses at central, state, deemed, and private universities. Understanding the eligibility requirements for the hundreds of programs offered under CUET PG is one of the most crucial things to do before applying. The National Testing Agency (NTA) administers the test, which is slightly different from conventional entrance exams in that each participating university establishes its own eligibility requirements. 

This comprehensive overview covers all you need to know about general eligibility, university-specific requirements, course-specific requirements, attempt limits, and important factors for CUET PG 2026. All the information you need to confidently prepare for any postgraduate course, including MA, MSc, MCom, MBA, MCA, and others, is covered in this article.

CUET PG Eligibility Criteria 2026 Key Highlights

The general eligibility requirements for CUET PG 2026 are as follows:

• Applying for CUET PG 2026 has no age restrictions.
• A bachelor's degree or a comparable credential from an accredited university is required of candidates.
• Reservation follows the rules set by the Government of India. Typical percentages include:
• SC – 15%
• ST – 7.5%
• OBC-NCL – 27%
• EWS – 10%
• PwD – 5% horizontal reservation
• Last year Students pursuing a bachelor's degree are qualified as long as they provide documentation of their qualifications at the time of admission.
• University-specific and course-specific requirements include things like minimum grades, subject requirements, and graduation discipline. 
• Universities may have their own policies, but reservation rules are governed by the Government of India.
• NTA does not verify eligibility; only the admitting university does.

Related CUET PG Eligibility Criteria 2026 Article Links

Educational Qualifications Required for CUET PG 2026

• Bachelor’s Degree Requirement: In order to take CUET PG 2026, applicants need to have finished:
  • A 10+2+3 pattern bachelor's degree or
  • Any comparable test authorized by UGC, AIU, or institutions accredited by the Indian government.
  • Whether central, state, private, or deemed, the degree must be earned from an accredited university.
• Minimum Scores Needed: There is no minimum percentage required by NTA. However, each university has its own minimum grade requirements, which are typically:
  • 50–55% of graduates are general/EWS.
  • OBC-NCL: 45–50%
  • SC/ST: 40–45%
• These numbers vary greatly depending on the course and school. For instance: Popular courses at central universities such as DU, JNU, HCU, and BHU often require higher percentages.
• Professional courses like MBA, MCA, MCom, and MSW may have stricter requirements.
• When the University Programs section of the CUET PG portal is accessible, candidates should carefully review it.

Candidates should thoroughly review the CUET PG portal's University Programs section once available.

CUET PG 2026 Course-Wise Eligibility Requirements

Program-specific eligibility varies considerably. The general expectations for the main course categories are as follows:

• MA Courses
  • With the exception of specialized subjects, the majority of universities accept graduates from any discipline for MA programs in the humanities and social sciences.
  • For instance:
  • MA in regional languages, Hindi, and English Although not always required, graduation with the subject is preferred.
  • MA Psychology: A background in psychology or related subjects may be required by certain institutions.
  • MA Economics: Math is required at the +2 or graduation level in many universities.
• MSc Courses
  • Science programs have stricter subject-specific eligibility.
  • Examples:
  • MSc Mathematics: Bachelor’s degree with Mathematics as a core subject.
  • MSc Physics: BSc Physics/PCM combination often mandatory.
  • MSc Biotechnology / Biochemistry: Requires Biology at UG level.
  • MSc Environmental Science: Often open to BSc graduates across multiple relevant disciplines.
• M.Com Courses
  • Typically, one needs:
  • BCom, BCom (Hons), or
  • BBA, BA in Economics, or
  • Any degree with papers in economics, management, or commerce.
  • Depending on the university, minimum grades usually fall between 45 and 55 percent.
  • MBA (Courses in PG Management)
• For CUET PG MBA:
  • A bachelor's degree in any field is required of candidates.
  • Minimum scores are 45% for reserved categories and 50% for General/EWS.
  • Certain universities might require:
  • Class 12 mathematics
  • Work Experience
  • Specific subject combinations
• MCA
  • Among the most precise prerequisites for eligibility:
  • A bachelor's degree in computer science, statistics, or mathematics at the 10+2 or undergraduate levels.
  • Minimum scores are typically 45% for SC/ST/OBC and 50% for general.

Proving Documents for CUET PG 2026 Eligibility (if applicable)

During counseling, candidates are required to provide the following:

• Provisional bachelor's degree/mark sheet
• Certificate of category (if applicable)
• Certificate of Character
• Transfer/Migration Certificate
• CUET PG scorecard
• Documents of identification

Please Note: Admission will be considered invalid if proper documentation is not presented.

Conclusion

Being familiar with the CUET PG Eligibility Criteria 2026 is crucial before applying because different universities and courses have different requirements. Anyone with a bachelor's degree can take the NTA exam at any age, but final eligibility verification only happens during admissions. This means that students should carefully review the program-specific requirements of each participating university.
By carefully comparing your academic credentials with the requirements of the universities you have selected, you can confidently apply for CUET PG 2026 and improve your chances of being accepted into the postgraduate program of your choice.