CUET 2027 eligibility works on two separate layers. The first is set by NTA, the exam body, and is deliberately minimal: you must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 from a recognised board. NTA does not require a minimum percentage, does not set an age limit, and does not specify which subjects you studied. The second layer is set by each participating university, and this is where the real conditions sit. Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University, and Jawaharlal Nehru University each publish programme-wise eligibility rules that go well beyond what NTA requires. Clearing the NTA threshold earns you a CUET score. The university rules decide whether that score can be used for admission to a specific programme.
NTA CUET 2027 Eligibility at a Glance
The table below lists every condition NTA sets for a student to register for CUET 2027. There are no others.
| Condition | NTA Rule |
|---|---|
| Qualifying exam | Passed or appearing in Class 12 or equivalent from a recognised board |
| Minimum marks in Class 12 | None set by NTA |
| Age limit | None set by NTA |
| Stream or subjects in Class 12 | None mandated by NTA |
| Gap year applicants | Eligible |
| Number of CUET attempts | No limit set by NTA |
| Board type | Any board recognised by a state government, CBSE, or CISCE |
No Minimum Marks: What It Means in Practice
NTA removed the minimum marks requirement for CUET from its first year of operation. Before CUET, central universities like DU set a Class 12 cutoff as the direct admission filter. CUET replaced that cutoff with an exam score. A student with 50% in Class 12 can register for CUET without any objection from NTA. Whether 50% also satisfies the university they are applying to is a separate question, answered by that university’s own prospectus.
Most universities that have moved fully to CUET do not use the Class 12 percentage to rank applicants at all. A few still keep a minimum Class 12 percentage as an eligibility screen before counselling. That is their own condition layered on top of CUET, not an NTA rule. A high CUET score does not override a university’s minimum percentage condition.
No Age Limit: Who It Helps
NTA sets no upper or lower age limit for CUET. A student returning after a gap, someone who sat for board exams more than once, or a mature student changing direction can all register. The age limit question matters mainly because some programmes and some statutory bodies retain their own age bars. Certain teacher education programmes, Ayurveda programmes, and nursing courses may have age limits set by a council or a university faculty, not by NTA. For the three universities discussed in this article, DU has removed age limits for most UG programmes. BHU and JNU do not publish a general age cap, though individual schools within them may follow council-mandated limits.
CUET 2027 Eligibility Rules Set by Delhi University
DU has been fully CUET-based since 2022 for its central university UG programmes. It publishes programme-wise eligibility conditions in the DU prospectus, usually released in March or April. The table below is based on the 2026 prospectus and will be updated once DU releases the 2027 version.
| Programme | Minimum Class 12 Marks | Subject Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| B.A. (Hons) English | 45% aggregate | English as a subject in Class 12 |
| B.A. (Hons) History | 45% aggregate | No specific subject required |
| B.A. (Hons) Political Science | 45% aggregate | No specific subject required |
| B.A. (Hons) Economics | 45% aggregate | Mathematics preferred; not mandatory |
| B.Com (Hons) | 45% aggregate | English in Class 12 |
| B.Sc (Hons) Mathematics | 45% aggregate | Mathematics in Class 12 |
| B.Sc (Hons) Physics | 45% aggregate | Physics and Mathematics in Class 12 |
| B.Sc (Hons) Chemistry | 45% aggregate | Chemistry in Class 12 |
| B.A. Programme | 40% aggregate | No specific subject required |
| B.El.Ed. | 50% aggregate | Any stream; English in Class 12 |
For SC, ST, and PwD applicants, DU reduces the minimum percentage by 5 percentage points across most programmes. DU does not use Class 12 marks to rank applicants. Once you meet the minimum percentage and the subject condition, your CUET score alone determines your place in the merit list.
CUET 2027 Eligibility Rules Set by BHU
Banaras Hindu University participates in CUET for most of its UG programmes under the central university quota. BHU’s eligibility conditions are slightly stricter than DU’s baseline. The figures below are from the BHU Central Admission Information Bulletin for 2026. BHU releases a fresh bulletin each year, and applicants should verify their programme’s specific condition there before the 2027 registration window opens.
| Programme | Minimum Class 12 Marks (General/OBC) | Minimum for SC/ST | Subject Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.A. (Hons) | 50% | 45% | Subject-specific for some programmes |
| B.Sc (Hons) | 50% | 45% | Relevant science subjects in Class 12 |
| B.Com (Hons) | 50% | 45% | Commerce background preferred |
| B.F.A. | 50% | 45% | Fine Arts or any stream |
| B.P.A. | 50% | 45% | Performing Arts background |
| B.Sc Agriculture | 50% with Science | 45% | Biology or Mathematics in Class 12 |
Different schools within BHU can set slightly different conditions. The Institute of Medical Sciences at BHU follows eligibility rules set by the relevant medical or Ayurveda council, which may include age conditions separate from BHU’s general rules.
CUET 2027 Eligibility Rules Set by JNU
JNU participates in CUET for its undergraduate programmes, including foreign language honours courses and science programmes at the School of Sciences. Its intake through CUET is smaller than DU’s, and competition for seats is high. JNU’s admission is entirely merit-based on the CUET score among eligible applicants.
| Programme | Minimum Class 12 Marks | Subject Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| B.A. (Hons) Foreign Languages (Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish) | 50% aggregate | No specific language subject required in Class 12 |
| B.Sc (Hons) Life Sciences | 50% with Biology | Biology mandatory in Class 12 |
| B.Sc (Hons) Physical Sciences | 50% with Physics and Mathematics | Physics and Mathematics mandatory |
| B.A. (Hons) International Studies | 50% aggregate | No specific subject requirement |
JNU does not conduct a separate aptitude test or interview for CUET-based UG admissions. Your CUET score in the relevant domain subject and language papers determines the merit list, provided you meet the 50% minimum.
NTA Rules Versus University Rules: A Direct Comparison
| Factor | NTA (CUET exam) | Delhi University | BHU | JNU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Class 12 marks | None | 40 to 50% depending on programme | 50% (45% for SC/ST) | 50% |
| Age limit | None | None for most UG programmes | None for most UG programmes | None for most UG programmes |
| Stream requirement | None | Subject-specific per programme | Subject-specific per programme | Subject-specific per programme |
| Gap year applicants | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
| Year of passing Class 12 | No restriction | No restriction | No restriction | No restriction |
When Each Set of Rules Applies
Two checks happen at different points in the admission process:
- At CUET registration (NTA check): You need to have passed or be appearing in Class 12. That is all NTA requires.
- At university admission (university check): You need to meet the programme-specific minimum percentage and subject conditions of that university. This check happens when the merit list is prepared, not at registration.
A student can register for CUET, sit the exam, and receive a valid score without meeting any university’s additional conditions. The score is recorded. The university then checks whether you meet its own eligibility before placing you in the merit list. If you do not meet a university’s minimum marks condition, your CUET score is not considered for that programme, no matter how high it is.
This means you should check eligibility for each programme you intend to apply for before you take CUET, not after. The CUET registration form asks which domain subjects and language papers you want to appear in. Choosing the right papers for your target programmes is part of meeting the subject conditions each university sets.
CUET 2027 Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does CUET 2027 have a minimum percentage in Class 12?
NTA does not set a minimum percentage for CUET registration. Each university sets its own minimum for admission. DU programmes generally require 40 to 45%, BHU requires 50% (45% for SC/ST), and JNU requires 50%.
Is there an age limit for CUET 2027?
NTA does not set an age limit. Individual universities may have age conditions for specific programmes, such as Ayurveda, nursing, or teacher education courses, set by the relevant statutory council. Check the prospectus of the university and programme you are applying to.
Can a student who passed Class 12 two years ago appear for CUET 2027?
Yes. NTA places no restriction on the year you passed Class 12. Most universities also do not restrict based on year of passing. A few programmes may have such a condition; verify with the specific university.
I scored 48% in Class 12. Can I apply to DU through CUET 2027?
You can register for CUET and take the exam. For DU programmes that require 45%, your percentage meets the condition. For programmes that require 50%, you would not be eligible. Check DU’s programme-wise list in their 2027 prospectus once it is released.
Will a high CUET score let me bypass BHU’s 50% minimum?
No. BHU’s 50% minimum is an eligibility condition, not a ranking criterion. If you do not meet it, BHU will not consider your CUET score for that programme, regardless of how high it is.
Are students from open schools or state boards eligible for CUET 2027?
Yes, as long as the board is recognised by a state government, CBSE, CISCE, or NIOS. If you are unsure whether your board qualifies, check the NTA CUET information bulletin for the recognised boards list when it is published.
Can a student who took vocational subjects in Class 12 apply for CUET?
NTA allows it. The university check is what matters. A student who studied vocational subjects but did not study Physics and Mathematics would not meet BHU’s or JNU’s eligibility for B.Sc Physics or Physical Sciences. For arts and commerce programmes, vocational background is usually not an issue.
Does CUET have a domicile or state residency condition?
NTA sets no domicile condition. Some universities reserve seats for applicants from their home state, or for students who have studied in a particular state. Those are university-level seat reservation rules, not CUET eligibility conditions.
How many times can I appear for CUET?
NTA sets no limit on the number of times you can appear for CUET. You can attempt it every year you are eligible. Each year’s score is independent; universities use the score from the cycle in which you are applying.
What documents do I need to prove Class 12 eligibility at the time of CUET registration?
At registration, you self-declare that you have passed or are appearing in Class 12. NTA does not ask for documents at this stage. Documents are verified later, at the university’s admission or counselling stage. Keep your Class 12 marksheet, admit card, and board certificate ready for that step.
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