CUET-UG set for a makeover. But can NTA deliver?

Common University Entrance Test (CUET)-UG seems poised to change with several proposals in the pipeline. To make the exam more student-friendly, candidates can expect a shorter examination duration, fewer subjects, and a new grouping system to ensure they can finish the entire entrance exam in a single day without the hassle of making repeated visits to the exam centres. The Ministry of Education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the National Testing Agency (NTA) are working on a strategy to shorten the overall examination cycle and make it more convenient for the students.Currently, candidates can appear for up to five subjects with each paper of 60 minutes duration. As per reports, one proposal mooted the idea that the duration of individual papers could be reduced so that even a student taking five subjects can complete all tests within around 180 to 200 minutes. Another proposal isthe possibility of reducing the number of subjects from five to four. While reviewing the proposed changes, the education ministry, UGC and NTA have asked officials to examine how the examination could be compressed without compromising university admission requirements.“Any proposed overhaul of CUET-UG is a part of its continued improvement. Improving the entrance exam requires a holistic approach that focuses on subject choices, test duration, and the eligibility requirements used by universities for admissions. Like every year, as part of continuous improvements, some changes may be considered for 2027. However, such changes are introduced only after giving sufficient time for students to prepare,” said Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman, Review Committee for NEP 2020, Ministry of Education, Chairman, BoG, IIM Calcutta, and formerly, Vice-chancellor, JNU and Chairman, UGC, while talking to The Hindu.Though CUET-UG needs operational reforms, its fundamental purpose of providing a common admission platform should remain intact. According to the NTA, registrations increased from 13,54,699 in 2025 to 15,68,867 in 2026, representing nearly 16% growth. The 2026 examination involved approximately 67.56 lakh registered subject tests and 12,906 distinct subject combinations.“Managing this scale creates enormous scheduling challenges. Multiple examination days, travel expenses and uncertainty place additional burdens on families, particularly in rural areas. The proposed changes for 2027 are encouraging, but no final implementation decision has been officially announced. Universities must be consulted, and any revised examination pattern should undergo rigorous testing before implementation. A one-day examination arrangement would reduce repeated travel and associated expenditure, benefiting economically weaker students. Clear subject grouping could also simplify preparation. However, reform must address examination-centre accessibility, timely admit cards, technical reliability and transparent communication. Reducing examination days alone will not resolve every difficulty,” said Dr. Brajesh Kumar Tiwari, Associate Professor, Atal School of Management (ABVSME), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New DelhiHighlighting that CUET-UG is “structurally flawed”, Rudrashish Chakraborty, Associate Professor, Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi (DU) said, “No amount of tinkering can possibly salvage it. It is a centralised exam which does not address the diversity and variety of the higher education sector. The so-called overhauling proposed next year is nothing but scratching at the edges: the core still remains the same and it fails to address the fundamental concerns raised about the exam that neither caters to the local needs of various regional Universities in the far-flung areas of our country, nor does it factor in the customised requirements of each discipline. It only feeds into the coaching mafia which has mushroomed manifold in the last few years.”First-hand experiencesRecalling her tryst with CUET-UG 2026, Telangana native Suthakani Madhu Sansitha, 17, pursuing Integrated Master’s (IMA) Political Science, at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) said, “Proper gaps between papers and nearby examination centres matter more than simply reducing the number of exam days. Even a 10-15-minute break between papers would help students manage fatigue. Reducing five subjects to four may limit students’ admission options, as different universities require different subject combinations. CUET does not need a complete revamp. Better centre allocation, adequate gaps between papers, clearer syllabi and timely results can make the process smoother and more predictable.”Her batchmate Desavath Veena Bai, from Kadapa district in Andhra Pradesh, also pursuing the same programme at UoH, echoes similar concerns. “Taking all five subjects in a single day can be overwhelming, especially for first-time test-takers. Reducing five subjects to four makes little sense as it will restrict students’ choice of programmes. Instead, related domains like History, Geography and Political Science could be combined into a single paper to reduce the academic burden.”Single-day examThe conduct of multiple CUET-UG papers on a single day must prioritise administrative feasibility, examination efficiency, and the well-being of students. “While it may be possible to complete four or five papers on a single day, it should be carefully planned, taking into account the test duration, break time, and students’ needs. Both 45-minute and 60-minute formats have been used in CUET-UG previously. A shorter exam does not necessarily lead to a reduction in standards provided the questions assess the required knowledge and understanding,” said Prof. Kumar.Any proposal to reduce the maximum number of subjects a student can take in CUET-UG should be evaluated in terms of its impact on examination scheduling, student flexibility, and eligibility for university admissions. While reducing the number of papers may help streamline the examination process, it is equally important to ensure that students applying to multiple universities are not disadvantaged by differing programme-specific subject requirements.“Reducing the maximum number of subjects from five to four may simplify scheduling, but academic flexibility should not be sacrificed for administrative convenience. CUET-UG 2026 covered 37 subjects and 244 participating universities, with different programmes prescribing different eligibility combinations. For example, Delhi University requires Mathematics in CUET for admission to B.A. (Hons.) Economics, while B.Com. (Hons.) permits specified combinations involving Mathematics or Accountancy. A four-subject restriction might narrow students’ choices across programmes and institutions. Before introducing it, NTA should analyse actual subject combinations and map university eligibility requirements. Students seeking interdisciplinary options must not be disadvantaged. An optional fifth paper could be retained where academically necessary,” said Prof. Tiwari.Countering the possibility, Prof. Chakraborty reveals that it is humanly impossible for students to appear for so many exams in one day. “In DU, CUET-UG was introduced in 2022, and this is its fifth year. Thousands of seats have remained vacant every year in many colleges. Every year, admissions continue till October, leaving only 4-5 weeks of teaching till the end of the odd semester. Many colleges shift to Class XII marks at the end to fill vacant seats most of which are earmarked for the students belonging to the reserved categories or girl students,” he said.Better time managementA major part of the plan is to create subject groups based on commonly chosen combinations. This would permit NTA to schedule related papers together and complete a candidate’s examination on the same day. By organising subject combinations into groups based on the eligibility criteria prescribed by universities, it may reduce the number of examination days and make scheduling of the exam timetable more streamlined. Besides, it could also eliminate the challenges of students having to travel to examination centres to attempt different papers on different days.The implementation of the proposals will depend on consultations with universities and the NTA. “The Radhakrishnan Committee had recommended considering the possibility of creating subject streams by placing related subjects in compact groups. In 2026, CUET-UG had 12,906 different subject combinations. Such data can guide NTA in deciding subject grouping and scheduling together. But these arrangements are possible provided there are sufficient seats at the allotted centre,” Prof Kumar said.Considering grouping helps in managing the examination timetable more effectively, he cited an instance where in 2024, History, Political Science and Sociology were held on a single day. Similarly, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics could form one group, while Accountancy and Business Studies, along with the relevant language or aptitude papers, could constitute another. “However, the whole process needs to be planned carefully. It will depend on the number of candidates, the availability of seats in a centre, and the combinations chosen by the candidates,” Prof Kumar said.Subject grouping is a sensible proposal, provided it reflects actual student preferences and university admission requirements. “The 2026 CUET generated 12,906 distinct subject combinations, demonstrating the complexity involved. The NTA could use previous years’ registration data to identify combinations that can be scheduled together. However, rigid grouping would disadvantage students pursuing interdisciplinary courses,” Prof. Tiwari noted.Repeated visits to test centresA properly designed one-day examination system could substantially reduce repeated journeys to examination centres, although eliminating them entirely may be unrealistic. “In 2026, CUET was conducted across 321 cities over 19 examination days. Students allocated papers on different dates could face additional travel, accommodation expenses and disruption to preparation. Bringing their papers together would provide meaningful financial relief, especially to rural and lower-income families. Nevertheless, technical failures, exceptional rescheduling and accommodation requirements may still necessitate additional visits,” Prof. Tiwari said.Compact exam scheduleA compressed examination cycle can offer significant advantages by reducing the overall examination period, providing greater certainty to students, and enabling universities to complete their admission processes on time. “If you consider CUET-UG 2025, it was conducted in 300 examination cities and 35 shifts. A shorter cycle is possible by planning the centre’s capacity, training staff, conducting trial runs, and ensuring backup arrangements. If a compact exam schedule is implemented through proper planning, it can go a long way towards ensuring sufficient time for answer-key challenges, result preparation, and, finally, for the universities to carry out the admission process so that classes can start on time,” Prof. Kumar said.Completing five examinations in one day may be technically possible, but compressing their duration raises serious academic concerns. “Currently, five papers require 300 minutes, with each paper containing 50 compulsory questions and lasting 60 minutes. Reducing total examination time to 180 to 200 minutes would leave approximately 36 to 40 minutes per subject. If the question count remains unchanged, students would have only 43 to 48 seconds per question, compared with 72 seconds currently. Such compression could reward speed rather than conceptual understanding,” said Prof. Brajesh Tiwari.Ultimately, a compressed exam cycle depends on effective execution. In 2026, NTA recorded 15.69 lakh registrations and around 49.05 lakh subject-test appearances across 35 shifts. “Even a limited technical disruption can affect thousands of candidates when several papers are scheduled consecutively. The NTA must strengthen system testing, exam-centre infrastructure, backup facilities and grievance redressal. Special provisions are vital for candidates with disabilities. Universities must also align admission calendars with the NTA,” Prof. Tiwari said.(Rajlakshmi Ghosh is a journalist with over three decades of experience in media houses and educational institutions)