CUET PG vs State-Level PG Entrance Exams: Which One Should You Choose?
Central University Entrance Test Postgraduate 2026 ( CUET-PG )
If you are planning to appear for the CUET PG 2026 must also consider and compare other entrance exams, or state level PG entrance exams to decide which one to appear for. This article brings you the factors to decide between CUET PG and state level PG entrance exams.
CUET PG Vs State Level PG Entrance Exam: Which One to Choose?
CUET PG is a national-level PG entrance exam conducted for admission to multiple disciplines across universities in India. Every year, around 4 lakh candidates appear for the entrance exam. Some of the most preferred streams for admission include Science, Humanities and Languages or Linguistics. On the other hand, the number of applicants for Engineering and Management is comparatively lower.
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If you are planning to appear for the CUET PG 2026, you must also be considering and comparing other entrance exams, or state level PG entrance exams, to decide which one to appear for. In this article of Shksha, we provide you with the details of both CUET PG as well as the state level entrance exams, and which one you should choose.
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.
- CUET PG Exam Overview
- CUET PG Exam Pattern
- CUET PG Participating Universities
- List of Top State Level PG Entrance Exams
- Factors to Decide Between CUET PG and State Level PG Entrance Exams
CUET PG Exam Overview
CUET PG is one of the top postgraduate entrance exams in India. The table below brings the overview or the highlights of the exam.
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name |
Common University Entrance Test (Postgraduate) |
| Conducting Body |
National Testing Agency |
| Exam Level |
Postgraduate |
| Exam Frequency |
Once a year |
| Exam Mode |
Online or CBT |
| Total No. of Test Takers |
Around 4 lakh |
| Courses Offered Through CUET PG |
Masters Degree- MA, MSc, MCom, MTech, MCA, MFA Professional Degree- LLB, LLM, BEd, MEd, MBA |
| Exam Fees |
INR 1,200 (General) INR 1200 (OBC-NCL, EWS) INR 1100 (SC, ST and Transgender) INR 1000 (PwD) INR 7,000 (International centres) |
| Exam Duration |
90 Minutes |
| Total Marks |
300 Marks |
| Total Number of Questions |
75 Questions |
| Marking Scheme |
+4 for each correct answer -1 for each incorrect answer |
| Language of Exam |
English, Hindi and Sanskrit (Acharya papers) |
| Exam Centre Cities |
302 cities in India and 24 cities abroad |
| Accepting Colleges |
190+ institutions |
| Official Website |
exams.nta.nic.in/CUET-PG/ |
| Contact Details |
011-40759000 011-69227700 |
CUET PG Exam Pattern
The CUET PG exam is conducted in a computer-based mode for a duration of 90 minutes. There are 75 objective type questions with four answer options. Test-takers have to choose and mark only one answer option.
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The CUET PG exam pattern is given in the table below.
| Sections/Subjects |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Domain knowledge Question from CUET PG syllabus 2026 |
75 |
300 |
The marking scheme of the CUET PG exam is explained below.
| Specifics |
Marks Awarded |
|---|---|
| Each question carry |
Four marks |
| Total number of questions- 75 |
300- Total/ Maximum Marks |
| For correct response |
4 marks awarded |
| For incorrect response |
1 mark will be deducted |
| Unanswered/un-attempted answers |
0 marks awarded |
The CUET PG 2026 exam will be conducted in a maximum of three shifts per day, which will be conducted in morning (9 AM to 10.30 AM), afternoon (12.30 PM to 2 PM) and evening (4 PM to 5.30 PM) shifts.
CUET PG Participating Universities
Last year, CUET PG scores were accepted by 191 universities in total, including Central, State Government, Government, and Private or Deemed Universities. The category-wise number of universities is as follows:
| CUET PG Participating University Type |
Number of Participating Institutes |
|---|---|
| Central Universities |
41 |
| State Government Universities |
41 |
| Government Institutes |
15 |
| Others (Private and Deemed Universities) |
94 |
As can be seen in the above table, Private and Deemed Universities accepting CUET PG scores is the highest, followed by Central and State Government Universities, followed by the Government Institutes.
Also Read: CUET PG 2026: Over 200 Universities Expected to Participate; More State Institutions Likely to Join
List of Top State Level PG Entrance Exams
Here we bring the list of top state level PG entrance exams along with the courses for admission.
| Exam |
State |
Courses for Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra |
MBA/MMS |
|
| Gujarat PGCET |
Gujarat |
MTech, MPlan, MPharma |
| Andhra Pradesh |
MTech, ME, MPharma |
|
| Telangana |
MBA, MCA |
|
| Telangana |
MTech |
|
| Karnataka |
MBA, MCA, MTech, M.Arch |
|
| Karnataka |
MBA, MCA |
|
| Kerala |
MBA |
Factors to Decide Between CUET PG and State Level PG Entrance Exams
While there is no restriction in terms of taking PG entrance exams in India, you may consider the following factors while choosing between CUET PG and state level entrance exams.
Courses aiming for admission: The first and primary factor lies in the fact which course you are aiming for. The list of state level entrance exams mentioned above are mainly for Management, Engineering and Computer Applications. Hence, if you are aiming for admissions to Humanities, Commerce, or other professional courses, then CUET PG is the best choice.
Number of colleges and seats: The total number of participating institutes and seats offered through CUET PG exam is much higher than that of the state level PG entrance exams. However, if you are aiming for admission to a particular institute and course, then you should prioritise on the state level PG entrance exam.
Exam difficulty level: The difficulty level of CUET PG ranges from moderate to tough. Moreover, the difficulty level of state level PG entrance exams is generally tough. Hence, you are advised to appear for the exam based on your preparation level.
Participating institutes: The number of universities or institutes accepting the scores of CUET PG scores is much higher than the state level PG entrance exams. Moreover, the CUET PG participating institutes also include Central Universities, which is an opportunity which you must not miss, if you are planning to take admission to your preferred course at a Central or State University, or a Government Institute, then CUET PG is a better choice. But, on the other hand, if you are planning to take admission to a particular institute that accepts the scores of one of the state level PG entrance exams, then you should appear for the state level entrance exam.
Competition level: Every year, around four lakh candidates appear for the CUET PG exam. However, this is a cumulative number for all courses. You are advised to check the number of candidates for a particular course you are opting for. If the competition level for the course you are opting for is lower in CUET PG, then it will be a better choice to opt for this exam rather than the state level entrance exams for PG courses.
The final decision lies with you on whether you should choose CUET PG or a state level PG entrance exam. But the fact why you should prefer CUET PG exam is that is it a national level entrance exam, with multiple courses and participating institutes across India. Hence, if you plan to take a state level PG entrance exam, then you should also plan to take CUET PG to maximize your admission chances.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
For CUET UG 2026, aspirants should be aware of all important dates to plan their preparation effectively. The key dates are:
- Registration Starts: 3 January 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 30 January 2026 (up to 11:50 PM)
- Fee Payment Deadline: 31 January 2026 (up to 11:50 PM)
- Correction Window: 2–4 February 202
A
Beginner-Level 2
Answered Yesterday
It's completely normal to feel confused about CUET, especially with so many subjects and topics to cover. The best approach is to start with a clear plan and small, consistent steps. Begin by understanding the syllabus thoroughly and identifying which sections need more focus. Practicing mock tests
T
Beginner-Level 2
Answered 2 days ago
Compared to board exams, CUET Maths requires a different approach. You can't rely on long methods; shortcuts matter a lot. Practicing CUET-style Maths mocks on cuetmock.com helped me adapt to this shift and understand which chapters are more scoring in a competitive setting.
T
Beginner-Level 2
Answered 2 days ago
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.
V
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 days ago
Common University Entrance Test PG is for postgraduate courses like MA, MSc, M.Com, PG Diploma, MBA, etc. offered at participating institutes.
V
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 6 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.
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 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
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
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
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
h
Contributor-Level 10
CUET MBA syllabus and CAT syllabus are both designed to assess aptitude for management studies.
Key Difference:
CUET PG MBA: This exam covers a wider range of topics, including general knowledge, current affairs etc.
CAT: It is designed to assess a student problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and ability to handle complex data.