The CUET UG 2026 Cutoff for admissions to premier universities like Delhi University (DU), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is anticipated to remain significantly high. If you're aiming for these institutions, prepare for competitive scores, especially in the General category.
It's important to remember that the National Testing Agency (NTA) does not release a common CUET cutoff list. Instead, each participating university announces its own course-wise and category-wise cutoffs after the counselling process, based on the normalized scores of applicants.
CUET UG 2026 Expected Cutoff for Delhi University (DU)
DU, with its approximately 78,000 seats , experiences exceptionally high competition. For top colleges like Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) or Lady Shri Ram College (LSR), General category candidates might need scores upwards of 770 out of 800 .
Average DU colleges could require scores in the 700-750 range, while low-demand colleges might accept 600-680 for General category students. The competition for DU seats is consistently among the highest.
Here’s an expected category-wise breakdown for DU:
| Category | High Demand Colleges (out of 800) | Average Colleges (out of 800) | Low Demand Colleges (out of 800) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 770+ | 700 – 750 | 600 – 680 |
| OBC-NCL | 730+ | 650 – 700 | 550 – 600 |
| SC | 680+ | 600 – 650 | 450 – 550 |
| ST | 630+ | 550 – 600 | 400 – 500 |
| EWS | 740+ | 660 – 710 | 560 – 620 |
CUET UG 2026 Expected Cutoff for Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
JNU's cutoffs are particularly high for its sought-after foreign language courses. For these programs, General category candidates often need a percentile of 85-95+ .
Reserved categories like SC/ST might see cutoffs in the 60-75 percentile range for these courses. The overall competition in JNU varies significantly depending on the program you choose.
JNU Expected Percentile Cutoffs for B.A. (Hons.) Courses
| Course Name | General | SC | ST | OBC | EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B.A. (Hons.) Arabic | 75-80 | 65-70 | 61-65 | 75-80 | 76-79 |
| B.A. (Hons.) Chinese | 83-87 | 72-76 | 66-68 | 81-85 | 82-86 |
| B.A. (Hons.) French | 85-90 | 81-85 | 69-73 | 86-91 | 89-93 |
| B.A. (Hons.) German | 85-90 | 72-77 | 89-93 | 85-90 | 86-90 |
| B.A. (Hons.) Japanese | 85-90 | 73-78 | 75-80 | 85-90 | 83-87 |
CUET UG 2026 Expected Cutoff for Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
BHU offers approximately 9,000 seats and also sees significant competition, especially for popular science and commerce courses. For General category students, B.Sc. and B.Com programs may require scores in the 400-550+ range out of the total score for relevant subjects.
For instance, B.Sc. (Hons.) Zoology had a closing NTA score of 466 for General in recent admissions. B.Sc. (Hons.) Chemistry closed at 419 for General. The expected General cutoff for BHU in 2025 was in the range of 480-610 .
Understanding Score vs. Percentile
Your raw CUET score is converted into a percentile, which is crucial for admissions. A score of 200-188 typically corresponds to a 100 percentile , giving you access to almost all top colleges and courses.
Scores between 187-170 often translate to a 99 percentile , opening doors to top DU colleges and other reputable universities. Even 149-130 scores can secure you a 95-96 percentile , making you eligible for mid-to-top tier DU colleges and well-known state universities.
| Normalized Score Range | Percentile |
|---|---|
| 200 - 188 | 100 |
| 187 - 170 | 99 |
| 169 - 150 | 98 - 97 |
| 149 - 130 | 96 - 95 |
| 129 - 110 | 94 - 93 |
| 109 - 90 | 92 - 90 |
Rising Cutoff Trends
The CUET UG 2026 Cutoff is expected to continue its upward trend. This annual increase is due to a growing number of applicants, enhanced preparation levels among students, and a better understanding of the exam pattern. This makes achieving a high score even more critical for securing your desired college and course.
FAQs
What is the expected CUET UG 2026 cutoff for top DU colleges?
Top DU colleges like SRCC and LSR may require 770+ marks for General, 730+ for OBC, and 630-680 for SC/ST candidates for admission in 2026.
What percentile is required for admission to JNU through CUET 2026?
For JNU's foreign language courses, a 85-95+ percentile is often needed for General category. SC/ST candidates might target 60-75 percentile .
How much score is required for average and low-demand DU colleges in CUET 2026?
Average DU colleges may need 700-750 marks (General), while low-demand colleges might accept 600-680 marks (General).
How much relaxation is given to reserved categories in CUET UG cutoff?
Reserved categories receive relaxation: approximately 10% for OBC-NCL, 15% for SC, and 20% for ST candidates compared to the General category cutoffs.
What score corresponds to 99 percentile in CUET UG 2026?
A score range of 187-170 marks typically corresponds to a 99 percentile .
Is 750+ a safe score for CUET UG 2026?
A score of 750+ is competitive but for top DU colleges, you might still need 770-850+ marks. It's a strong score but aim higher for the most sought-after programs.
Why is the CUET UG cutoff increasing every year?
The cutoff increases due to more applicants, improved preparation, and better understanding of the exam pattern. This leads to a higher concentration of top scores.
Does NTA release a common CUET UG cutoff list?
No, NTA does not release a common cutoff. Each university accepting CUET scores publishes its own course-wise and category-wise cutoff lists.