CUET 2025 Eligibility Criteria – Age, Qualification, Attempts & Reservation

Before applying for CUET UG 2025, it’s important to check the age criteria set by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and participating universities. The National Testing Agency has explicitly stated that there is no upper age limit for appearing in the CUET UG examination. This inclusive policy allows candidates of any age to pursue their undergraduate studies through this common entrance test. While the NTA does not impose an age restriction for the examination itself, candidates must be aware that individual universities or institutions might have their own specific age requirements for admission to certain programs. For instance, some universities may specify a maximum age, though this is not a universal rule for CUET UG. Since there is no age limit for the CUET UG examination, direct age relaxations for categories like SC, ST, OBC-NCL, or Persons with Disabilities (PwD) are not applicable at the examination level. However, these categories receive benefits in line with government reservation policies during the university admission process. Knowing the age rules in advance ensures you apply within the permitted criteria and make full use of any relaxation benefits provided by the admitting institutions.

CUET UG 2025 may offer relaxations for candidates belonging to specific reserved categories as per National Testing Agency (NTA) guidelines and Government of India policies. These benefits are primarily applicable during the admission process to various participating universities and may include reduced qualifying marks, extended age limits (if a university has one), or fee concessions. To avail these relaxations, candidates must possess and upload valid and up-to-date category certificates during the online registration process. For example, Economically Weaker Section candidates might need certificates issued on or after January 1, 2025, in line with government guidelines, while Persons with Disabilities must have a minimum of 40% disability. The verification of these documents will follow the official protocol set by the admitting university during the counselling or admission rounds. It is crucial for candidates to ensure the authenticity and validity of their documents, as no change in category is typically accepted after the CUET UG registration deadline. By understanding and following the process, eligible candidates can make full use of the category-based benefits available for CUET UG admission.

CUET UG 2025 is open to Indian citizens and valid OCI or PIO card holders as per National Testing Agency rules. This national-level examination aims to standardize admissions across various universities. Besides Indian nationals, citizens of Nepal and Bhutan, and Tibetan refugees who entered India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanent settlement, are also generally eligible. Additionally, Persons of Indian Origin from specific countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam, who have permanently settled in India, can also apply. For state-level university admissions, a domicile certificate of the respective state may be required, as some state institutions implement domicile-based reservation policies to ensure local student access to higher education. However, for the CUET UG examination itself, there are no domicile restrictions. NRI and foreign applicants are generally exempted from appearing in the CUET UG examination. These candidates should verify their eligibility and admission process directly with individual colleges or university authorities, as many institutions have separate international admission processes, often on a merit basis, without requiring CUET scores. By understanding these rules early, candidates can ensure they meet the required nationality or domicile conditions before applying.

Before preparing for CUET UG 2025, it’s essential to know if there’s a cap on the number of attempts. Most national-level examinations, including CUET UG, allow unlimited attempts. The National Testing Agency has confirmed that there is no restriction on how many times a candidate can appear for the Common University Entrance Test for Undergraduate programs. This means that students can take the exam as many times as they wish, provided they fulfill the basic eligibility criteria each year. Unlike some other competitive exams such as UPSC or JEE Advanced, which impose strict attempt limits, CUET UG offers flexibility, allowing candidates to improve their scores or re-attempt if they do not qualify in a previous attempt. As there is no maximum limit on the number of attempts for CUET UG, category-based relaxations for attempts are not applicable. Being aware of attempt limits helps you plan your preparation strategy effectively and avoid exhausting your chances prematurely.

None specified by NTA for the examination itself; university-specific restrictions may apply for admission