NEW DELHI, Dec 10: University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar announced on Tuesday that the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) will undergo significant changes starting from 2025. The exam will be held in 63 subjects, an increase from the previous 37, and will be conducted in a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format. Kumar confirmed that students will be allowed to appear for the exam in any subject, irrespective of what they studied in Class 12, providing them with greater flexibility in their subject choices.
Speaking to PTI, Kumar shared that from 2025 onwards, students will be able to take the exam for a maximum of five subjects. Additionally, all CUET-UG exams will have a uniform duration of 60 minutes, and all optional questions will be eliminated. This uniformity aims to streamline the exam process and reduce confusion for students.
The UGC Chairman also highlighted that CUET-UG has become a more inclusive and transparent examination system since its introduction. The examination was initially launched in 2022, but its first year was marred by technical issues. It was conducted in a hybrid mode in 2024, though the exam was canceled in Delhi at the last minute due to logistical reasons.
Kumar stated that the UGC has formed an expert committee to review the conduct of CUET-UG and CUET-PG, which will bring in several changes to improve the exam structure and experience. The UGC will soon release a draft proposal outlining the revised guidelines for both undergraduate and postgraduate exams, inviting feedback from students, parents, teachers, and institutions.
The introduction of CUET was aimed at providing a level playing field for students from diverse educational backgrounds. Kumar emphasized that CUET has been successful in ensuring equal opportunities for students from various socio-economic and educational backgrounds by streamlining admissions and reducing reliance on varying cut-off marks.
As of last year, 283 universities had adopted CUET, with over 13.47 lakh candidates registering for the exam. The UGC’s push for a single, national-level entrance test has helped in making the admission process more transparent and technology-driven.
