CUET PG

Overview

CUET PG (Common University Entrance Test – Postgraduate) is a Computer Based Test (CBT) conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to PG programmes across Central Universities and participating institutions in India. The Science stream papers follow a structured two-part format designed to assess both general aptitude and domain-specific subject knowledge.

Exam Structure

Section-wise Breakdown

Marking Scheme

• Correct Answer: +4 marks
• Incorrect Answer: −1 mark (Negative Marking applies)
• Unattempted Question: 0 marks

Important Notes

• Candidates must attempt all 100 questions; there is no internal choice in most Science papers.
• Negative marking of −1 is strictly applied for every wrong response; strategic skipping is advised for uncertain answers.
• The CBT interface is provided by NTA; rough work must be done on the sheet provided at the exam centre.
• Each subject (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Life Sciences) has a separate paper code under CUET PG Science stream.

Part A – General Aptitude (Common to All Science Papers)

• Reading Comprehension – unseen passages, inference, vocabulary in context
• Verbal Ability – synonyms, antonyms, sentence correction, fill in the blanks
• Numerical Ability – percentage, ratio & proportion, averages, profit & loss, time-speed-distance
• Data Interpretation – tables, bar graphs, line charts, pie charts
• Logical & Analytical Reasoning – series, analogy, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense
• General Awareness – current events (India & world), science & technology developments, government schemes

Part B – Physics

• Mechanics: Laws of motion, work-energy-power, rotational motion, gravitation, simple harmonic motion, fluid mechanics
• Thermodynamics: Laws of thermodynamics, kinetic theory of gases, heat engines, entropy, Carnot cycle
• Waves & Optics: Wave motion, superposition, diffraction, interference, polarisation, geometrical & wave optics, optical instruments
• Electrostatics & Magnetism: Coulomb's law, Gauss's law, capacitors, Biot-Savart law, Ampere's law, magnetic properties of matter
• Electromagnetic Induction & AC Circuits: Faraday's laws, Lenz's law, LCR circuits, resonance, transformers
• Modern Physics: Photoelectric effect, de Broglie hypothesis, Bohr model, radioactivity, nuclear reactions, X-rays
• Electronics: Semiconductors, p-n junction, transistors, logic gates, communication systems

Part B – Chemistry

• Physical Chemistry: Atomic structure, chemical bonding (VBT, MOT, VSEPR), states of matter, solutions, thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, surface chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry: Periodic table & periodicity, s-block elements, p-block elements (Groups 13–18), d & f block elements, coordination compounds (IUPAC nomenclature, isomerism, crystal field theory), metallurgy, qualitative analysis
• Organic Chemistry: IUPAC nomenclature, isomerism, reaction mechanisms (SN1, SN2, E1, E2), hydrocarbons, haloalkanes, alcohols, phenols, aldehydes & ketones, carboxylic acids, amines, biomolecules (carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids), polymers, chemistry in everyday life

Part B – Mathematics

• Algebra: Sets, relations & functions, complex numbers, matrices & determinants, permutations & combinations, binomial theorem, sequences & series, linear algebra (vector spaces, eigenvalues)
• Calculus: Limits, continuity & differentiability, applications of derivatives (maxima/minima, rate of change), indefinite & definite integrals, differential equations (order, degree, variable separable, linear first-order)
• Coordinate Geometry: Straight lines, circles, parabola, ellipse, hyperbola, three-dimensional geometry (direction cosines, planes, lines in 3D)
• Vectors: Scalar & vector products, triple products, applications in geometry
• Probability & Statistics: Probability theorems, Bayes' theorem, random variables, binomial & Poisson distributions, mean, variance, standard deviation
• Trigonometry: Inverse trigonometric functions, trigonometric equations, properties of triangles, heights & distances

Part B – Life Sciences / Biology

• Cell Biology: Cell structure & organelles, cell cycle & division (mitosis, meiosis), membrane transport, signal transduction
• Genetics: Mendelian genetics, chromosomal theory, linkage & crossing over, mutations, molecular genetics (DNA replication, transcription, translation, gene regulation)
• Biochemistry: Biomolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids), enzymes, metabolic pathways (glycolysis, Krebs cycle, ETC), photosynthesis
• Plant Biology: Plant anatomy, physiology (transpiration, mineral nutrition, photosynthesis, respiration, plant hormones), reproduction, taxonomy
• Animal Biology: Animal tissues, digestive, respiratory, circulatory, excretory, nervous & endocrine systems, reproduction, embryology
• Ecology & Evolution: Ecosystems, population dynamics, biodiversity, Darwinian evolution, speciation, conservation biology
• Biotechnology: Recombinant DNA technology, PCR, gel electrophoresis, cloning vectors, transgenic organisms, applications in medicine & agriculture

Know the Exam Pattern and Syllabus

CUET PG 2025 is conducted by NTA and consists of domain-specific papers. Each paper has 75 questions (25 General Aptitude + 50 domain questions), to be attempted in 105 minutes with a total of 400 marks. Negative marking of 1 mark applies for every wrong answer, so avoid random guessing. Download the official NTA syllabus PDF for your specific subject code (e.g., PGQP01 for Physics, PGQP07 for Chemistry) and map it against your postgraduate entrance goals.

Subject-Wise Recommended Books

• Physics: H.C. Verma (Concepts of Physics), Irodov (Problems in General Physics), Griffiths (Electrodynamics)
• Chemistry: J.D. Lee (Inorganic), P. Atkins (Physical Chemistry), I.L. Finar (Organic)
• Mathematics: Arihant CUET PG Mathematics guide, S.C. Malik & Savita Arora (Real Analysis)
• Life Sciences/Biotechnology: Lehninger (Biochemistry), Alberts (Molecular Biology of the Cell), CSIR NET reference books
• General Aptitude (all papers): R.S. Aggarwal (Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning), previous year CUET PG question papers

Study Schedule Strategy

Divide your preparation into three phases. Phase 1 (Months 1–2): Cover the entire domain syllabus topic by topic using standard textbooks. Phase 2 (Month 3): Revise high-weightage chapters, solve previous year question papers from 2022–2024, and identify weak areas. Phase 3 (Final 4 weeks): Attempt at least 2 full-length mock tests per week on NTA's official portal, and focus revision on frequently tested concepts like thermodynamics, genetics, or calculus depending on your paper.

Mock Test Strategy

NTA releases official mock tests on the CUET PG candidate portal. Take these under timed conditions — strictly 105 minutes — to build exam temperament. After each mock, analyse wrong answers and note recurring mistake patterns. Target accuracy over speed: with negative marking, a 70% attempt rate with 90% accuracy outperforms 100% attempt with 70% accuracy.

Important Topics by Stream

• Physics: Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Thermodynamics, Electronics
• Chemistry: Coordination Chemistry, Reaction Mechanisms, Chemical Kinetics, Spectroscopy, Electrochemistry
• Life Sciences: Cell Biology, Genetics & Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Ecology, Evolution

Exam-Day Tips

Carry your NTA admit card and a valid photo ID (Aadhaar, Passport, or Voter ID) to the exam centre. CUET PG is a Computer Based Test (CBT) — practice on NTA's mock test interface to get comfortable with the on-screen calculator and question palette. Reach the centre at least 60 minutes before reporting time. Read each question carefully before marking, especially for assertion-reasoning and statement-based questions common in science papers.

CUET PG does not have a centralised counselling body like JoSAA or MCC. Each participating university conducts its own independent admission process based on CUET PG scores. Here is the typical step-by-step process followed by central universities such as DU, BHU, JNU, Hyderabad University, and others:

1. Result Declaration: NTA publishes the CUET PG scorecard on the official portal (pgcuet.samarth.ac.in). Download and save your scorecard — it includes subject-wise marks and percentile.
2. University-Specific Registration: Each university releases a separate merit-based admission notification. Visit the official admission portals of your target universities (e.g., du.ac.in for Delhi University, bhuonline.in for BHU) and register using your CUET PG application number and scorecard details. Registration windows typically open within 2–4 weeks of result declaration.
3. Choice Filling / Programme Preference: Shortlisted candidates fill in their preferred departments, programmes, and campuses (where applicable) in order of priority on the university portal. For DU, this is done via CSAS (Common Seat Allocation System) at admission.uod.ac.in.
4. Merit List and Seat Allotment Rounds: Universities release multiple merit lists (typically 3–5 rounds). Allotment is based on CUET PG score, category (General/OBC/SC/ST/EWS/PwD), and programme-specific cutoffs. Check the university's official portal after each round.
5. Document Verification: Candidates who accept an allotted seat must report to the university's admission office (online or in-person) with original documents: Class 10 & 12 marksheets, undergraduate degree/provisional certificate, category certificate (if applicable), CUET PG scorecard, passport-size photographs, and migration certificate.
6. Fee Payment: After document verification, pay the semester/annual tuition fee online through the university portal within the stipulated deadline to secure admission. Failure to pay within the deadline results in forfeiture of the seat.
7. Reporting to Institution: Complete enrollment formalities at the campus, collect your student ID, and confirm course registration with the academic department. Some universities conduct an orientation or induction programme for new postgraduate students.

Note: State universities and private deemed universities that accept CUET PG scores (e.g., Jamia Millia Islamia, Pondicherry University) follow similar independent counselling processes. Always monitor the official university websites for exact dates, as timelines vary by institution and are announced after NTA releases results.