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.

CUET PG Vs 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.

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.

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.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
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 the mode of the CUET PG exam?
A: 

You must note CUET PG is conducted in computer based test (CBT Mode) only. Hence you are advised to be familiar with the pattern. The examination question paper is divided into two sections. To know more about the examination, refer to the official website. 

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.

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/
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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
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
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.

 

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.

Q:   What is the difference between CUET PG and IIT JAM?
A: 

IIT JAM is for PG scientific and engineering courses in IITs and other premier institutons while CUET PG is a wider platform for admissions to postgraduate programs across private, state and central universities.

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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.

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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About the Author
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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BHU MA cutoff 2025 was released for admission in various fields, like Mathematics, Mass Communication,  Conflict Management and Development, etc. For the General AI category, the overall cutoff ranged from 5 to 253. As per the last round, the toughest MA course was MA in Psychology, with the cutoff

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Neerja Rohatgi

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Answered 6 days ago

BHU CUET PG cutoff 2025 was published for various All India categories including the OBC AI. For this category, the overall cutoff fell in the ranges of 10 to 596 for various courses, like MA, MTech, MFA, MSc, etc. According to the last round, the most the toughest course was MPA in Instrumental Mus

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Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Yes, the National Testing Agency has released the CUET PG 2026 Advance City Intimation Slip for all exam dates. The candidates can check their city of examination through the city intimation slip.

The CUET PG 2026 admit card will be released soon.

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Raj Shukla

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a week ago

Yes you can apply for LLM at without competitive exams score as you may appear toh IILM's entrance test or interview based on competitive exam merit. The benefit of these include that you may avail to scholarships and get wavier on tuition fees according to laws of IILM's University. You can check f

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Rikshita

Beginner-Level 4

Answered a week ago

The CUET PG 2026 Admit Card has been released for all the exams. The National Testing Agency released the CUET PG admit card 2026 online only on its official website.

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Mamona Gupta

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 weeks ago

Listed below are some o the top private MBA colleges in Kanpur accepting CUET PG score with their tuition fees -

Top CollegesTuition Fee
PSIT KanpurINR 2.19 lakh
Kanpur Institute of TechnologyINR 2.06 lakh
Axis CollegesINR 1.33 lakh
Dr Virendra Swarup Institute of Computer StudiesINR 1.19 lakh
Jagran Institute of ManagementINR 1.33 lakh

Source: Official site and may vary.

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Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

The admission to the PG MBA courses (except MBA MS) at International Institute of Professional Studies, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidhyalaya is given through CUET (PG). In the CUET PG exam for MBA, candidates have to answer 75 multiple-choice questions. They get 90 minutes to complete answer all questions.

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Saumya Gairola

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

International Institute of Professional Studies, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidhyalaya gives admission to its postgraduate MBA courses  (except MBA Management Science) through CUET PG. The CUET PG exam dates 2026 are from 13th March to 1st April.

Note: The admission to only the MBA (Management Science) is giv

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Saumya Gairola

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Answered a month ago

There is only one section A for CUET PG exam. Section B which comprises general awarenessa and knowledge has been removed as per exam pattern. Students need to prepare section A which is subject specific to get through. They should cover each and every topic of respective syllabus in order to get go

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Abhishek Rastogi

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

The National Testing Agency has released the CUET PG 2026 admit card for all the candidates having their exam till March 19. The candidates need to login with their login credentials and download their admit card. 

The Agency will soon release the next phase of admit cards.

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Kritika Sharma

Beginner-Level 5