LPU offers admission opportunities without the mandatory requirement of the LPUNEST for certain courses. LPUNEST is an entrance and scholarship test widely used for admission to many programs. However, candidates can gain direct admission based on their board marks or other valid entrance exam scores for specific courses, such as BA, B.Com, and BBA. But in some cases, it acts only as a scholarship test.

Admission Without LPUNEST 2026: Criteria and Courses

  • For programs like MBA, M.Sc, Agriculture, and PhD, LPUNEST or other valid entrance scores (e.g., CAT, XAT, CUET, UGC-NET) are commonly required.
  • Students who have excelled in board exams or national-level entrance exams with the required eligibility criteria may seek direct admission without the LPUNEST.
  • Eligibility typically includes minimum aggregate marks (e.g., 50-60% in 12th standard) and relevant qualifying exams.
  • Direct admission candidates may still apply for scholarships through alternate criteria, but LPUNEST results provide greater scholarship opportunities.

The list of courses not requiring LPUNEST for admission 2026 to LPU is mentioned below:

Broad Course/Degree
Regular BCA; Often admitted based on 12th marks/eligibility rather than LPUNEST B.Com/Commerce/B.Plan
BBA (regular), including BBA (IT), BBA (Tourism & Hospitality), BBA (Airlines & Airport Management), etc. B.Sc (general sciences, biology/chemistry) - non-professional/non-honors/non-core engineering-based B.Sc
BA (Arts/Humanities)/BFA/Fine Arts/Performing Arts (Music, Theatre, etc.) Other non-engineering, non-professional UG courses

Things to Keep in Mind Regarding LPU Admission 2026 Without LPUNEST

  • For many non-professional or less competitive bachelor's programs (e.g., BCA, B.Sc., BBA, BA, etc.), board (12th) marks/previous academic performance may be sufficient for admission without LPUNEST.
  • Direct admission tends to be more feasible for courses that are not core engineering/technical/high-demand (where LPUNEST or a national-level exam is often required).
  • If you skip LPUNEST, you can still apply for “provisional admission” (by paying the initial booking fee and uploading documents), and the university may allow enrollment.
  • Skipping LPUNEST may mean forgoing scholarships. Many of the LPU scholarships (merit and entrance-based) are tied to LPUNEST performance.
  • Admission offers based on alternate criteria (board marks, national-level exams) may be more competitive or have limited seats. Hence, it is advised to apply early.

Direct Admission Process at LPU for 2026

Candidates interested in direct admission can apply through the official LPU admission portal. The process involves:

  • Submitting academic and personal details for verification.
  • Uploading qualifying exam mark sheets or valid entrance test scores recognised by LPU.
  • Meeting course-specific eligibility criteria as stated on the official website.
  • Paying the admission fee and confirming the seat upon acceptance.

Who Should Apply for Direct Admission?

  • Students who have strong board exam results and prefer not to appear for LPUNEST.
  • Applying for a non-engineering / non-core-tech course (e.g., BBA, BCA, B.Sc, BA, etc.) where board marks/qualifying exam scores are accepted.
  • Candidates who have qualified and have valid scores from a relevant national exam required for LPU programs.
  • Students seeking entry into courses like BA, BBA, and B.Com, where LPUNEST is not mandatory.
  • Applicants looking for a simpler and faster admission process without entrance testing.
  • Those who want to secure admission based primarily on merit and academic scores.
  • Candidates not seeking scholarships (or who are okay with minimal or no scholarship).
  • Prefer a simplified/direct admission process, especially if you missed LPUNEST registration deadlines.

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What Students Say: Reviews & Shared Experiences

Student feedback on various forums like Reddit, Quora, and review sites indicates that many students appreciate the flexibility offered by LPU in providing admission without obligatory LPUNEST testing for some courses. The admission process is described as smooth and supportive by several students, with helpful counsellors facilitating direct admissions. However, some students note that LPUNEST opens more scholarship opportunities and enhances admission chances in competitive programs like engineering and MBA. Read More

“Yes, if you match the requirements, you can be admitted to LPU without taking the LPUNEST. Depending on the percentage you received on your qualifying exam (such your +2 examination), LPU provides direct admission. However, this eligibility will alter for different streams. For instance, LPUNEST is required for all UG (Hons) courses in engineering, agriculture, and other subjects, but direct admissions are available for BBA, BCom, and other courses without honors.”, says a Quora user.

“LPUNEST is primarily conducted for scholarships and determining eligibility for some programs. However, if you have qualified in national-level entrance exams like CAT, MAT, NATA, or have good board marks, you may be exempted from LPUNEST.”, says a Reddit user

Conclusion

The “without-LPUNEST” route at LPU offers flexibility, making the university accessible to students who may have missed the exam or whose strengths lie in board results or national-level scores. Yet, this flexibility comes with disadvantages: scholarships might be lost, admission may be uncertain for technical courses, and it requires careful checking of eligibility criteria per program. Always verify the latest eligibility guidelines on LPU’s official website, and consider applying as early as possible (especially if classes are about to start).

In simple terms, yes, you can get into LPU without LPUNEST, but it depends heavily on which course you are applying to, and you may sacrifice certain advantages, such as scholarships.