CUET UG 2025 Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit, Reservation Rules & College List

By GN Group Of Institutes
27/03/2025

CUET UG 2025 Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit, Reservation Rules & College List

Do you know? Taking a CUET entrance exam and securing a qualifying mark requires UG aspirants to meet the program-specific CUET eligibility criteria 2025 to be considered for admission to top CUET participating colleges.

Similarly, clearing your 12^th class and securing a passing mark in all 5 subjects will also not be enough to make you eligible to take the CUET UG exam 2025.

The CUET eligibility criteria 2025 was released by the NTA on March 1, 2025, alongside the notification. To find out if you qualify to take the CUET UG 2025 exam and secure admission to CUET-Participating colleges, read the blog post.

The CUET exam is now an important part of every student's academic path. This begs the question: Is it possible for any student to take the CUET exam 2025? The answer is no! You must meet the CUET eligibility criteria 2025 set by the NTA on both the 12^th-level and program level.

Common CUET eligibility criteria 2025.
Program and college-specific CUET eligibility criteria 2025, which varies

The age restriction, academic requirements, and nationality are specified in the CUET eligibility criteria 2025 for UG programs. The CUET application form 2025 was made available at cuetug.ntaonline.in by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

The CUET UG 2025 test will be given by NTA in CBT format from May 8 to June 1, 2025.

CUET UG Eligibility Criteria 2025

CUET eligibility criteria vary from program to program. Candidates must fulfil the conditions listed below to be eligible to take the CUET exam for admission to UG courses.

CUET UG Eligibility Criteria 2025: Educational Background

Students must have passed Class 12 from an approved board in any stream to be admitted to bachelor's degree programs at central, state, private, or deemed universities.
Students who are appearing for the 12^th class final exam may also apply for the exam.
Must have cleared the 12^th class with at least 5 core subjects and electives depending on what program you want to pursue.
Ensure your eligibility from the respective university or college.

Note: CUET eligibility criteria vary from program to program. For example, you must have majored in mathematics in your 12th grade if you chose to pursue a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics honours) to satisfy the CUET eligibility criteria 2025.

CUET Eligibility Criteria 2025: Minimum Percentage Requirement

The National Testing Agency has not established any minimum qualifying scores for taking the CUET 2025 exam, per the eligibility requirements.
However, you must have received a minimum qualifying score in class 12 or an equivalent exam, as required by the relevant university for its courses.
Different CUET-participating universities have different minimum qualifying scores.
Go to the university's official website to see if you are interested in being admitted to the particular CUET courses.

For example:

Candidates must receive at least 50% in Class 12 for the General category and at least 45% in Class 12 for SC/ST candidates to be eligible for admission to a specific course or college.
Applicants in the general category must have a minimum aggregate of 45% for B. Tech programs, while applicants in the reserved category must have a minimum of 40%.

CUET Eligibility Criteria 2025: Minimum Age Requirements

There is no upper or lower age limit for CUET UG 2025. Students can apply if they have passed Class 12 or are taking the test that year. On the other hand, universitiescould have their own age limits for enrolment in specific programs.

Candidates must meet the age restrictions given by the CUET-participating universities they want to attend to apply through CUET (UG).

The age requirements are determined by the policies of each CUET-participating university.
Each university's policies on quotas, categories, relaxations, reservations, and subject combinations apply to the educational requirements for admission.

CUET Eligibility Criteria 2025: Nationality

Candidates must follow these citizenship guidelines to be qualified to take the CUET Exam:

The applicant needs to be a citizen of India.
Bhutan is a constituent subject of Nepal.
A Tibetan refugee who arrived in India before January 1, 1962, to settle there permanently.
Pakistanis, Burmese, Kenyans, Ugandans, Tanzanians, Zambians, Malawians, Zaireans, Ethiopians, and Vietnamese individuals who have made India their permanent home.

CUET Eligibility Criteria 2025: Reservations

As per the instructions of the Indian government, Indian citizens belonging to certain categories such as SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD are eligible for relaxation of marks and seats in CUET-participating universities.

The exact number of reserved seats and relaxation of marks depends on the policies of each university. All the colleges have to follow the central reserve policies of the government.

This policy opens education to all and makes it more inclusive and accessible for all the deserving candidates belonging to all segments of society by providing equal opportunities to students belonging to all backgrounds.

Special category students should upload the latest category certificate which was issued on or after 1 January 2025, to become eligible for reservation.

Reservations for the GEN-EWS Categories

The GEN-EWS certificate is to be uploaded in the CUET UG 2025 online application form and should have been issued on or after January 1, 2025.
Applicants are required to upload a declaration [Declaration in Lieu of Gen-EWS Certificate at Annexure-IB provided in the CUET Brochure 2025] to this effect if they fail to produce their GEN-EWS certificate (dated on or after 01 January 2025) during online registration.

Reservations for the OBC-NCL Categories

The OBC-NCL certificate should be uploaded in the CUET UG 2025 Online Application Form and should be issued on or after January 1, 2025.
OBC-NCL candidates are required to upload a declaration [Declaration in Lieu of OBC-NCL Certificate as per Annexure-IIB given in the CUET Brochure 2025] to this effect if they fail to upload their OBC-NCL certificate (issued on or after 01 January 2025) during online registration.

Reservation for the SC/ST Categories

As per the latest instructions from the Indian government, the caste (in case of SC) or tribe (in case of ST) certificate has to be provided in the CUET online form 2025.

Reservation for the PwD Categories

A Physical Disability certificate (Unique Disability Identification (UDID) Certificate) from the prescribed medical authority is needed if you want to reserve a seat under the PwD category.

Refer to the table below for CUET reservation policy category-wise:

Category	Reservation
GEN-EWS	10%
Scheduled Caste	15%
Scheduled Tribe	7.5%
Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy)	27%
Persons with Disability	5%

How many times can you take the CUET exam?

There are no restrictions on how many times one can take the CUET exam, in contrast to other admission tests.

As long as you meet the CUET eligibility criteria for age, educational background, and minimum scores established by colleges, you are permitted to take the test.

CUET Eligibility Criteria 2025: List of Qualifying Examinations

Students can apply for the CUET exam in 2025 if they have taken and passed the exams listed below.

Exam Type	Description
10+2 Board Exam	Conducted by CBSE, CISCE, or any recognised State/Central Board.
Pre-University Exam	Two-year Intermediate or Pre-University exam from a recognised board/university.
National Defence Academy (NDA)	Final exam of the two-year course at the Joint Services Wing.
NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling)	Senior Secondary School Exam with at least five subjects.
Foreign or Other Recognised Exams	Equivalent to 10+2, recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
Vocational Exam	Higher Secondary Certificate Vocational Examination.
Diploma (3 Years)	Recognised by AICTE or a State Board of Technical Education.
GCE Exam	General Certificate Education (GCE) at Advanced (A) level (London/Cambridge/Sri Lanka).
Cambridge or IB Diploma	High School Certificate from Cambridge University or International Baccalaureate (IB).
Other International Exams	Class 12 equivalent exams from outside India must be certified by AIU.
Non-Public Exams	If Class 12 was not a public exam, candidates must have passed at least one board or pre-university public exam earlier.

CUET-Participating Universities

More than 280 universities and colleges in India accept CUET scores for admission to various courses. This includes central, state, private, and deemed universities/colleges. The number of CUET-participating universities is expected to grow to 300 by the end of 2025.

University Category	Number
Central	45
State	39+
Private	160+
Deemed-to-be	28+
Government Institution	10

Some of the top CUET Participating Universities in India with NIRF rankings are as follows:

Universities Name	NIRF 2022	NIRF 2023	NIRF 2024
Jamia Millia Islamia Ranking	3	3	3
Banaras Hindu University Ranking	6	5	5
Delhi University (DU) Ranking	13	11	6
UoH-University of Hyderabad Ranking	10	10	17
LPU-Lovely Professional University Ranking	47	38	27
Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education Ranking	35	29	30
Amity University	49	57	42

Under what conditions the candidature for the CUET exam 2025 be cancelled

Academic requirements not met: A candidate will not be qualified for CUET if they fail their 12^th-grade exams with the necessary minimum percentage.
Inaccurate data on the application: Your candidature may be cancelled if you provide inaccurate or misleading information on the application form.
Fake documents used during the application: Your candidature may be cancelled if you try to use fake documents while filling out the registration form.
Not fulfilling requirements unique to the university: A university may reject your application even if you pass the CUET exam if you don't meet the precise eligibility conditions for the chosen course.

Key Takeaways

Keep in mind that several factors, including academic achievement and financial need, influence CUET qualifying requirements.

You should carefully read the requirements and provide accurate and complete information to be considered for CUET eligibility criteria 2025.
In the end, it's critical to fulfil all prerequisites to qualify for CUET.
If you are in the General category, you should receive at least 50% on your +2 exam; if you are in the SC/ST group, you should receive at least 45%.
Subjects in +2 should have been a part of your chosen course.
For the programs chosen under CUET, you must submit applications to as many participating universities as you can.

Read More:

FAQs for CUET UG 2025 Eligibility Criteria

Q1. Will all CUET participating universities have the same requirements for eligibility?

No. Each of the courses you apply to at the CUET participating universities will have different eligibility requirements.

Q2. Does the CUET Exam offer reservations for the SC/ST category?

Yes. Each participating university has its own policy regarding the SC/ST category reservation in accordance with the Government of India's regulations, according to the official notification.

Q3. Does the NTA CUET Exam 2025 have an age limit?

The NTA CUET Exam 2025 has no upper or lower age restrictions.

Q4. Can droppers take the NTA CUET exam 2025?

The dropper may also apply for the NTA CUET 2025 Exam, according to the official announcement. They shouldmeet the requirements of the minimum age and level of education.

Q5. Can I use 50% of my grades to apply for CUET?

It depends on what category you belong to. You need to have received 50% in class 12 to be in the general category. The minimum score needed to be in the SC/ST category is 45%.

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CUET UG 2025 Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit, Reservation Rules & College List