CUET PG English Syllabus 2026: Download Official PDF, Important Topics, Subject-Wise, Important Books

If 3 years of English Literature has made you feel you belong more to the Elizabethan Age than the present day and age, a Master’s in English Literature is the only viable option for you. Stuck between Shakespearean Drama and Keats’ Ballads? The CUET PG English exam is here to give you access to the MA English programs across India. Now, understanding the syllabus thoroughly is the first step toward effective preparation. To clear the air, the CUET PG English exam has the subject code of LAQP01 on the NTA website.

In this blog, we bring you the official CUET PG English syllabus 2026, along with a subject-wise breakdown. It’ll also have important topics and a curated list of recommended books to help you prepare efficiently. Furthermore, we have also provided the direct download link of the CUET PG English Syllabus. As Shakespeare said, “I wasted time, and now doth time waste me.” In Richard II, let’s not do that. And begin right away!

CUET PG English Syllabus 2026 – Overview

The CUET PG English exam syllabus is released by NTA for admission to MA English Literature programmes. It serves as a standardised test to evaluate candidates’ proficiency in the English language, literature, and critical thinking skills.

CUET PG English Syllabus 2026: Section-Wise Breakdown

The CUET PG English (LAQP01) syllabus is designed to test a candidate’s subject knowledge, literary awareness, and critical understanding of English and Indian literatures. The question paper will consist of 75 compulsory subject-specific questions. Here’s a detailed section-wise breakdown:

1. History of English and Indian Literatures

• Major Authors: Key canonical writers across British and Indian literary traditions.
• Texts: Important works shaping the development of literature.
• Literary Movements: From the Renaissance to Postmodernism, including major Indian literary movements.

2. Indian Writing in English

• Major Authors: Pioneers and contemporary voices in Indian English literature.
• Texts (including translations): Works originally in regional languages but translated into English.
• History: Growth and evolution of Indian English writing, from colonial to postcolonial times.

3. Literary Terms

Candidates should be familiar with essential literary devices and concepts such as:

• Allegory, Ballad, Blank Verse, Comedy, Dramatic Monologue, Elegy, Epic, Fancy and Imagination
• Intentional Fallacy, Motif, Ode, Onomatopoeia, Paradox, Plot, Figures of Speech, Satire, Soliloquy, Sonnet, Tragedy, Wit, etc.

4. Literary Genres

Understanding different genres and their features, including:

• Fiction and Non-Fiction
• Life Writings & Diaries
• Drama, Essay, Novel, Poetry, Prose
• Short Story, Epic, Travelogue, Science Fiction, etc.

5. Comparative Literature and Translation Studies

• Concepts & Theories: Foundations of comparative approaches.
• Texts: Important works studied in comparative contexts.

6. Literary Criticism and Theory

Both classical and modern schools of criticism, including:

• Classical & Modern Criticism
• Marxism
• Structuralism & Post-structuralism
• Feminism
• Eco-criticism
• Postcolonialism

7. Awareness of Current Literary Trends and Events

• Familiarity with recent literary awards, contemporary debates, and global literary movements.
• Knowledge of ongoing critical discussions in English studies.

CUET PG English Syllabus 2026 LAQP01 Subject-Wise Summary

The CUET PG English syllabus (LAQP01) covers a broad spectrum of literary studies. Below is a subject-wise summary to help candidates quickly grasp the major areas:

Download the Latest CUET PG English Syllabus 2026

The official CUET PG English syllabus (LAQP01) has been released by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Candidates preparing for CUET PG 2026 should always refer to the official syllabus PDF. The syllabus provides a clear roadmap of what to study. This includes the history of literature, major authors, genres, literary theory, criticism, and current literary trends.

Download the Official CUET PG English Syllabus 2026 PDF here.

Best Books & Study Materials to Cover CUET PG English Syllabus

To prepare effectively for CUET PG English (LAQP01), candidates need a mix of standard references. This mix will include books, anthologies, and exam-focused guides. Also, the English CUET Syllabus is vast and covers the history of literature, criticism, genres, and theory. So, to cover the CUET English Syllabus, we have provided the following list of topper-recommended books: 

Preparation Tips for LAQP01 CUET PG English

• Know the syllabus & exam pattern – Break topics into units and make a checklist.
• Strengthen basics – Read standard histories (William J. Long, Edward Albert, M.K. Naik).
• Revise literary terms & genres – Use M.H. Abrams’ Glossary, make flashcards for quick recall.
• Focus on criticism & theory – Study Aristotle, Structuralism, Feminism, Postcolonialism, Eco-criticism.
• Indian Writing in English – Revise works of R.K. Narayan, Anita Desai, Arundhati Roy, Kamala Das; include translations (Tagore, Premchand, Mahasweta Devi).
• Stay updated – Track recent Booker, Sahitya Akademi, and Jnanpith award winners; follow The Hindu Literary Review.
• Practice PYQs & mocks – Identify repeated topics, improve speed and accuracy.
• Make a study schedule – 2–3 hrs daily, weekly topic targets, last month for revision.
• Use smart revision methods – Summaries, mnemonics, timelines, movement-author mapping.
• Balance facts & analysis – Prepare for both factual recall and conceptual questions.