Updated on Jan 27, 2026 17:20 IST
Every year, thousands of students graduate with Bachelor's and Master's degrees with a dream to pursue higher education, research or work in the top institutions in India. Choosing the right path is important to shape the future. This is the most important decision and must be taken carefully.

Every year, thousands of students graduate with Bachelor's and Master's degrees with a dream to pursue higher education, research or work in the top institutions in India. Choosing the right path is important to shape the future. This is the most important decision and must be taken carefully. In this article, we will know about two important exams, CUET PG and UGC NET.

 

Students who wish to pursue higher education must know about the two important exam CUET PG and UGC NET. Both exams are national level entrance exams conducted by the National Testing Agency; however, serve different purposes. Their objectives and career outcomes differ significantly. Let us know about CUET PG Vs UGC NET in detail.

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Table of contents
  • CUET PG Vs UGC NET: Definition
  • CUET PG Vs UGC NET: Differences
  • CUET PG Vs UGC NET: Eligibility Criteria
  • CUET PG Vs UGC NET: Exam Pattern

CUET PG Vs UGC NET: Definition

Common University Entrance Test PG is an entrance test for admission to the postgraduate course in central universities, state universities and other participating universities. Bachelor's degree holders can take this exam.

Q:   CUET PG Exam is for which course
A:

Common University Entrance Test PG is for postgraduate courses like MA, MSc, M.Com, PG Diploma, MBA, etc. offered at participating institutes.

Q:   What is CUET PG exam pattern?
A:

NTA will do some minor changes in the CUET PG exam pattern. Now the exam duration of the CUET PG exam will be 90 minutes instead of 105. There will be 75 MCQ questions asked from the candidates domain knowledge. The exam will be conducted in online/CBT mode in a bilingual medium.

Q:   How do I prepare for CUET PG exam?
A:

First all of you should aware for syllabus of CUET PG .

Search important and most relavent book that has most related information for CUET PG exam .

You should make a proper schedule for your study time every day.

Practice a mock test of what you have studied in the week on Saturday because practiice is the key for better result.

Make sure with are up to date with paper update coming from board, Because it is also more important thing.

 

University Grant Commission (UGC) NET is an eligibility test for junior research fellow (JRF), assistant professorship and PhD admission. Master's degree holders can appear for the test after meeting the eligibility conditions.

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CUET PG Vs UGC NET: Differences

The difference between CUET PG and UGC NET is mentioned below.

Feature CUET PG UGC NET
Purpose Admission to MA, MSc, MCom, MBA, PG Diploma, etc.) Eligibility for JRF, Assistant Professor, or PhD
Who can apply Bachelor's degree holder Master's degree holders or final year students
Organizing Body National Testing Agency (NTA) National Testing Agency (NTA)
Frequency of Conduct Once a year Twice a year
Mode of Exam Computer-Based Test Computer-Based Test
Official Website exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg/ ugcnet.nta.nic.in/

CUET PG Vs UGC NET: Eligibility Criteria

 NTA releases the eligibility criteria for the CUET PG and UGC NET on the official website. CUET PG and UGC NET eligibility criteria are mentioned below.

Conditions CUET PG Eligibility Criteria  UGC NET Eligibility Criteria
Education Qualification
  • Completed graduation or appearing for the final year exam
  • Qualifying marks as per the university you are applying to.
  • Pursuing master's degree, or equivalent course, appeared for the final year exam or the final year exam is delayed
  • Obtained 55% marks (50% for OBC-NCL/ SC / ST / PwD/PwBD / Third gender categories)
Age No age limit
  • No age limit for Assistant Professor or Lecturership
  • Must not be more than 30 years for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
Age Relaxation -

5-year age relaxation for

  • SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Third Gender
  • Female
  • Armed forces
  • LLM degree holders

CUET PG Vs UGC NET: Exam Pattern

Students who are preparing for the CUET PG or UGC NET exam must be familiar with their exam pattern. The paper pattern helps to understand the marking scheme, types of questions, language of questions, duration of the test and mode of exam. Below is the exam pattern for CUET PG and UGC NET.

Q:   Is CUET PG and UGC NET the same?
A:

No, both are not same. CUET PG is conducted for admission to postgraduate courses offered at central universities, state universities and other participating institutes. While UGC NET is an eligibility test for junior research fellow (JRF), assistant professorship and PhD admission.

Particular CUET PG Exam Pattern UGC NET Exam Pattern
Mode of Exam Computer Based Test (Online) Computer Based Test (Online)
Duration of Exam 1 hour 30 minutes 3 hours 
Types of Question Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Number of Questions 75

Paper 1 - 50 questions

Paper 2 - 100 questions

Total Marks 300

Paper 1 - 100

Paper 2 - 200

Marking Scheme Each question carries 4 marks

Each question carries 2 marks

Negative Marking -1 for wrong answers

No negative marking

Language of Questions Bilingual except Language and Acharya

English & Hindi

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Vikash Kumar is a leading subject matter expert, specializing in K–12 education and competitive exam preparation for JEE Mains. With a BTech degree and over 10 years of experience in creating high quality content fo Read Full Bio
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Answered 3 days ago

The CUET PG 2026 exam will be conducted in March. It is expected that the CUET PG 2026 date sheet will be announced in the first week of February. 

78441038
Sreetama Datta Roy

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

The National Testing Agency, or the exam conducting body, had extended the last date of application twice. Originally, the last date of CUET PG 2026 registration was January 14, which was extended till January 20, followed by January 23. The application fee could be paid by January 25. 

A

Abhay Majumdar

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a week ago

As per the CUET PG marking scheme, four marks are awarded for each correct answer. For each wrong answer, one mark is deducted. There is no negative marking for unanswered questions. 

A

Akansha Thakur

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a week ago

No, there is no option to apply for the CUET PG in offline mode. Students have to go to the exam website to apply for the exam. The fee has to be also paid in online mode, through Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking or UPI.

 

P

Pooja Kalra

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a week ago

Find below the step-wise explanation of the HNBGU admission process:

  • Registration: Go to the official NTA website and register for CUET UG/ CUET PG as per requirement. Check teh accepted examination for the preferred course at HNBGU Pauri Campus. Select the preferred institute as HNBGU Pauri Campus.
  • C

...Read more

h

heau mishr

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

In IILM University Greater Noida LLM course, candidates are shortlisted based on CLAT PG or CUET-PG scores. However, university also considers equivalent entrance examinations as per admission guidelines, followed by evaluation and a personal interview.

J

Jaya Sharma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

NTA has released the CUET PG syllabus for data Science on the website, exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg/. Students can use the CUET PG data Science syllabus pdf to prepare for the exam. The Data Science question will consist of 75 questions for 300 marks.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 weeks ago

No, CUET PG is conducted once a year. CUET PG 2026 is expected to be held in March 2026. The exam is conducted as a computer-based test (online mode). CUET PG exam duration is 90 minutes.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 weeks ago

The DU CUET-PG Cutoff 2025 was released for all categories under the All India quota for admission to various PG-level courses. For the OBC AI category, the cutoff for the MA in English course ranged from 104 to 223 in the last round, wherein Hindu College, University of Delhi was the hardest colleg

...Read more

N

Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

The CUET PG question papers of the previous years have been released by the National Testing Agency, the exam-conducting body. Candidates can download the CUET PG question papers as per their subjects by choosing the year and Exam Type from the dropdown menu of the Downloads section. Apart from NTA,

...Read more

N

Nitesh Dhyani

Beginner-Level 5