The registration process for the Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate (CUET UG) 2026 has entered its final hours, with the National Testing Agency (NTA) set to close the application window tonight, January 30, at 11:50 PM. With lakhs of aspirants seeking admission to undergraduate programmes offered by central, state and participating universities across India, the agency has repeatedly advised candidates to complete the process well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.
CUET UG has become the primary gateway for admission to undergraduate courses in universities such as Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Allahabad University and several others. Since its launch, the exam has centralised admissions, reducing dependence on board marks and introducing a standardised assessment system. For 2026, interest in the exam remains high, with over 10 lakh candidates estimated to have already registered, according to preliminary trends.
NTA opened the CUET UG 2026 registration portal on January 3, giving students nearly four weeks to submit their applications. However, as the deadline approaches, reports of heavy website traffic, delayed payment confirmations and login issues have surfaced, prompting the agency to issue an official advisory urging students not to wait until the last moment.
Registration deadline, fee payment window and correction facility
As per the official schedule, the CUET UG 2026 application window will close today, January 30, at 11:50 PM. Candidates who successfully submit their application form by this deadline will still be able to pay the examination fee until January 31, 2026, up to 11:50 PM. The fee payment window extension is aimed at accommodating candidates who complete form submission close to the deadline.
NTA has also announced that the CUET UG 2026 correction window will open from February 2 and remain active until February 4. During this period, candidates will be allowed to edit specific details in their application forms in case of errors made during registration. This facility is available only to those applicants who have successfully submitted the form and paid the application fee.
The correction window is particularly significant as CUET admissions are strictly based on subject combinations, personal details and eligibility criteria submitted during registration. Any mismatch in subject selection or personal information can result in disqualification during counselling and admission stages.
It is important to note that while several fields can be edited during the correction window, certain details such as registered email ID, mobile number and permanent address are generally non-editable. However, candidates may be allowed to correct personal information, academic details, category, gender, uploaded images and exam city preferences within the limits prescribed by NTA.
Examination schedule, subject choices and key applicant concerns
CUET UG 2026 is scheduled to be conducted tentatively between May 11 and May 31 in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. The exam will be held in multiple shifts and phases, depending on the number of registered candidates and subject combinations. NTA has clarified that the detailed subject-wise date sheet will be released only after the registration process concludes and application data is analysed.
Candidates will be informed about their exam date, shift and timing through the CUET intimation slip, which will be released ahead of the admit cards. The agency has stated that CUET will continue to be conducted once a year, though spread across several days to manage logistics for the large candidate pool.
One of the most discussed aspects of CUET UG 2026 registration has been subject selection. Candidates are allowed to choose up to five subjects, including languages, domain-specific subjects and the general test, depending on the course requirements of the universities they are applying to. Recent trends suggest that a significant number of students have opted for four to five subjects to maximise their chances of admission to top colleges.
Universities prescribe specific subject combinations for each undergraduate programme, making it crucial for candidates to carefully review eligibility criteria before final submission. Science, commerce and arts programmes each have distinct subject requirements, and failure to meet these criteria may lead to rejection even if the candidate scores well overall.
Another recurring concern among applicants has been payment-related issues. Several candidates have reported that although their application fee was successfully debited from their bank accounts, the payment status was not immediately updated on the CUET portal. NTA has advised such candidates to wait for a few hours, retain all payment proofs and contact the bank or payment gateway for confirmation. In cases where the issue persists, applicants are required to approach the CUET helpdesk with their application number and transaction details.
The agency has reiterated that candidates should not submit multiple applications to resolve payment glitches, as doing so may lead to data discrepancies and further complications. Instead, they are encouraged to follow the prescribed grievance redressal process.
NTA has also clarified common queries raised by aspirants, including eligibility for candidates who have taken a drop year. According to the official guidelines, there is no age limit or restriction on gap years for appearing in CUET UG, as long as the candidate meets the academic eligibility criteria of the respective university and course.
With the registration window closing tonight, NTA has emphasised that no official notification regarding an extension has been issued so far. Candidates are therefore advised to complete their applications at the earliest and ensure that all details are accurate before final submission. As CUET continues to shape undergraduate admissions in India, timely and error-free registration remains the first crucial step for aspirants aiming to secure seats in the country’s leading universities.
