UGC Chairman Announces Reduction of CUET Subjects to 37
UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar has announced updates to the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for undergraduate and postgraduate programs in 2025. The total number of subjects has been reduced from 63 to 37, and the exam duration will now be standardized at 60 minutes.
He mentioned that 20 language subjects have been discontinued, and admissions for these subjects can now be based on General Aptitude Test (GAT) scores.
The number of domain-specific subjects, previously at 29, has been reduced to 23 following the UGC's decision to discontinue six subjects, Kumar stated. This change was proposed by an expert committee established by the UGC to review the CUET-UG and CUET-PG examinations for the 2025 academic session.
The CUET will continue to be conducted in 13 languages, as it was last year. However, a separate test for languages will only be held in these 13 languages. The 20 language papers offered last year are being discontinued. For certain programs, admissions can now be based solely on general (aptitude) test scores.
The total number of subjects has been reduced from 63 to 37 this year, primarily due to the removal of the 20 language subjects. Additionally, the number of domain-specific subjects has been reduced from 29 to 23.
Papers such as Entrepreneurship, Teaching Aptitude, Fashion Studies, Tourism, Legal Studies, and Engineering Graphics are being discontinued. According to the UGC Chairman's statement to ANI, admissions to undergraduate programs may be granted based on general test scores.
He further stated that, unlike the previous year when students had the option to answer 40 questions, all 50 questions would be compulsory in the CUET this year. Moreover, the UGC chairman announced a uniform time limit of one hour for completing the exam across all subjects.
The UGC Chairman announced that all examination papers will have a total of 250 marks and will include negative marking for incorrect answers.
He stated, "Last year, some subjects had a test duration of 60 minutes, while others had 45 minutes. However, this year, all subjects will have a uniform duration of 60 minutes. Previously, students could attempt 40 out of 50 questions, but all 50 questions will be mandatory this year. Each correct answer will be awarded five marks, and each incorrect answer will result in a deduction of one mark. As a result, all papers will carry a total of 250 marks."
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET), introduced in 2022, aims to standardize the admissions process for undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programs across universities.
Designed as an open, technologically advanced system, CUET ensures equal opportunities for candidates from varied educational and socio-economic backgrounds.
Providing a level playing field enables students from different boards to compete fairly. In the previous year, CUET was adopted by 283 universities, with 13,47,820 candidates registering for the test.