The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is a highly competitive examination that has been methodically constructed to assist admissions into a wide range of undergraduate programs. Over 250 distinguished universities, encompassing 47 illustrious central universities, including the esteemed Delhi University (DU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), in addition to various state and private universities and other notable institutions, participate in this examination. The NTA has been entrusted with the responsibility of conducting the Central University Entrance Test
The idea of implementing a unified entrance examination for central universities in India has roots dating back to the 1990s. The establishment of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) aimed to streamline the admissions process across numerous central universities, alleviating the pressure on students who previously had to navigate multiple entrance exams for various institutions.
The Central Universities Common Entrance Test (CUCET) materialized in 2010 as a precursor to the CUET, with seven new central universities adopting it initially. In 2012, the government sought to expand its reach to encompass all central universities under the Education Ministry, though this move encountered resistance from some established universities concerned about maintaining admission standards.
Despite initial hurdles, the standardized test's adoption steadily grew, particularly among younger institutions. 12 central institutions had chosen CUCET by 2021. The Common University Entrance Test (CUET), a standardized exam for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses, certificates, certification courses, and research programs, was launched by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in March 2022.
In 2023, the Common University Entrance Test-Undergraduate (CUET-UG) saw a substantial increase in applications, with nearly 16.85 lakh students applying, marking a 41% growth from its inaugural edition last year. CUET-UG has become India's second-biggest examination, surpassing the JEE-Main’s average registration of 9 lakh over the past five years.
CUET 2024 is scheduled from 15th May to 31st May 2024. Candidates will also be given multiple opportunities to fix the errors in the application form through a correction window. NTA will be conducting the exam in online mode.