The CUET PG 2026 Biology Exam is a national-level entrance test administered by the NTA for admission to M.Sc. Biology and Life Sciences programs across 190+ universities. To participate, candidates must meet the specific Eligibility of CUET PG Exam, complete the CUET PG Registration by January 2026, and navigate a merit-based Selection Process for CUET PG.
Overview of the CUET PG 2026 Biology Exam
The CUET PG 2026 Biology Exam serves as the primary gateway for students aspiring to pursue advanced degrees in Biological Sciences, Botany, Zoology, and Microbiology. Managed by the National Testing Agency (NTA), this examination consolidates the admission process for central, state, and private universities into a single-window opportunity. By participating in the CUET PG 2026 Biology Exam, candidates can apply to multiple prestigious institutions like Delhi University (DU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) using a single scorecard.
For the 2026 academic session, the CUET PG 2026 Biology Exam follows a streamlined format focusing entirely on domain knowledge. The elimination of the general aptitude section means that the 75 multiple-choice questions are strictly curated from core biological concepts. This shift ensures that the CUET PG 2026 Biology Exam accurately measures a candidate’s scientific temperament and readiness for postgraduate research. Aspirants must stay updated with official notifications to ensure they don’t miss the narrow application window.
Detailed Eligibility of CUET PG Exam for Biology Aspirants
The Eligibility of CUET PG Exam for Biology typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Biology, or related fields from a recognized university. While the NTA provides general guidelines, each participating university sets its own minimum percentage requirements, often ranging from 50% to 55% for General category candidates.
Fulfilling the Eligibility of CUET PG Exam is the first mandatory step before starting the application process. Most central universities require that the applicant has studied Biology as a core subject for at least two years during their undergraduate program. It is important to note that the Eligibility of CUET PG Exam does not impose a strict upper age limit for appearing in the test; however, individual institutes may have specific age criteria for their respective hostel allotments or department admissions.
Furthermore, the Eligibility of CUET PG Exam extends to students in their final year of graduation. These candidates can apply under the “Appearing” category, provided they can produce their final mark sheets during the counseling phase. Since the CUET PG 2026 Biology Exam involves subject-specific paper codes, students must ensure their degree aligns with the “Subject Mapping” requirements of their target university. Failure to verify the Eligibility of CUET PG Exam at the institutional level can lead to disqualification even after securing a high rank.
Step-by-Step CUET PG Registration Process 2026
CUET PG Registration involves a digital application on the official NTA portal, requiring personal details, academic history, and document uploads. The CUET PG Registration for the 2026 cycle is expected to remain open from December 2025 until mid-January 2026, with an online fee payment concluding the submission.
To begin the CUET PG Registration, candidates must create a unique profile using an active email address and mobile number. This account serves as the central hub for downloading admit cards and viewing results. During the CUET PG Registration, applicants select their desired paper codes—such as SCQP03 for Biology or SCQP17 for Life Sciences—and choose up to four preferred exam cities. The NTA emphasizes that CUET PG Registration is only complete once the confirmation page is generated following the fee transaction.
- Online Account Creation: Register with basic identity details.
- Form Completion: Enter educational qualifications and select university programs.
- Document Upload: Attach a scanned photograph and signature in the specified size.
- Fee Payment: Use Net Banking, UPI, or Credit/Debit cards.
A critical part of the CUET PG Registration is the document upload section. The photograph must have a white background with 80% face visibility. Any discrepancies in the data provided during CUET PG Registration can be corrected during a short “Correction Window” provided by the NTA. Completing the CUET PG Registration early is advised to avoid the heavy server traffic that typically occurs in the final 48 hours of the deadline.
Understanding the Selection Process for CUET PG
The Selection Process for CUET PG is a multi-stage system that begins with the entrance examination and ends with university-specific counseling. Unlike many other exams, the Selection Process for CUET PG does not involve a centralized seat allotment; instead, candidates must apply separately to universities using their NTA scores.
Once the results of the CUET PG 2026 Biology Exam are declared, the NTA shares the data with all participating institutions. The Selection Process for CUET PG then shifts to the individual universities, which release their own merit lists and cut-off marks. Candidates who meet the threshold must register on the university’s admission portal to participate in the counseling rounds. This decentralized Selection Process for CUET PG allows universities to apply their own reservation policies and internal weightage criteria.
During the final stages of the Selection Process for CUET PG, documents are verified to confirm that the candidate meets the Eligibility of CUET PG Exam. If a candidate is allotted a seat, they must pay the admission fee within the stipulated timeframe to secure their spot. It is essential for aspirants to track the counseling schedules of multiple universities simultaneously, as the Selection Process for CUET PG timings often overlap across different states and central institutions.
Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme for Biology
The CUET PG 2026 Biology Exam follows a 105-minute Computer Based Test format consisting of 75 multiple-choice questions. The marking scheme includes a +4 award for every correct answer and a -1 penalty for every incorrect response, totaling a maximum of 300 marks.
The structure of the CUET PG 2026 Biology Exam is designed to test domain expertise exclusively. There is no general section, meaning every question is derived from the Exam Syllabus of CUET PG Exam for Biology. This focus requires candidates to have a deep understanding of topics like Genetics, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology. Because the Selection Process for CUET PG is highly competitive, the negative marking plays a significant role in determining the final rank.
Accuracy is more valuable than speed in the CUET PG 2026 Biology Exam. Since one-fourth of the marks are deducted for a wrong answer, uncalculated guessing can ruin a candidate’s chances of admission. During the CUET PG Registration, students should be careful to select the correct paper code, as the exam pattern can vary slightly for interdisciplinary subjects. Mastering the time-per-question ratio is a vital part of the preparation strategy for this national entrance.
Critical Perspective: The Decentralized Counseling Challenge
A common assumption among applicants is that the Selection Process for CUET PG is as centralized as the exam itself. However, this is a major misconception that often leads to missed opportunities. While the NTA conducts the CUET PG 2026 Biology Exam, it has no role in the actual admission or seat allotment. This “dual-layer” system can be overwhelming for students who expect a single counseling window.
The limitation of this decentralized Selection Process for CUET PG is that students must manually track 10 to 15 different university websites to ensure they don’t miss the registration deadlines for counseling. To mitigate this risk, candidates should create a tracking sheet during the CUET PG Registration phase, listing the specific admission URLs of their top-choice universities. Understanding that the Selection Process for CUET PG is fragmented is crucial for any student who meets the Eligibility of CUET PG Exam and wants to actually land a seat.
Practical Application: Subject Mapping and University Choice
Proper subject mapping during CUET PG Registration is essential to ensure that the test paper you take qualifies you for the specific program at your target university. For instance, if a university requires the ‘Life Sciences’ paper for its Botany course, taking the ‘Biology’ paper will make you ineligible for that specific seat.
In a real-world scenario, a student aiming for the M.Sc. Genetics program at Delhi University must first check the Eligibility of CUET PG Exam on the DU official website. They might find that DU accepts the SCQP17 (Life Sciences) code for this course. During the CUET PG Registration, the student must select SCQP17. If they mistakenly select SCQP03 (Biology), they will be disqualified from the DU Selection Process for CUET PG even if they score 300/300.
- Outcome: Error-free university application and valid candidacy.
- Constraint: Requires thorough reading of individual university prospectuses before CUET PG Registration.
- Learning: Always verify “Paper Code vs. Course Name” at the destination university level.
Syllabus and Preparation Strategy for Biology
The syllabus for the CUET PG 2026 Biology Exam is divided into seven major sections: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, Genetics, and Ecology. Candidates must focus on the undergraduate-level depth of these subjects to clear the Selection Process for CUET PG.
To successfully navigate the CUET PG 2026 Biology Exam, a structured study plan is required. Aspirants should prioritize high-weightage topics like Genetics and Biochemistry, which frequently appear in the question sets. Since the Eligibility of CUET PG Exam is based on B.Sc. knowledge, referring to standard textbooks like Lehninger for Biochemistry or Campbell for General Biology is highly recommended. Consistent practice of mock tests is essential to get accustomed to the 105-minute CBT format.
During the CUET PG Registration period, many students begin their intensive revision. It is helpful to solve at least five years of previous question papers to understand the difficulty level and recurring themes. Because the Selection Process for CUET PG rewards precision, focusing on conceptual clarity rather than rote memorization will help candidates avoid the negative marking trap on the final day of the CUET PG 2026 Biology Exam.
Fee Structure and Category-Wise Relaxation
The application fee for CUET PG Registration 2026 varies based on the candidate’s social category and the number of test papers selected. For General (UR) candidates, the base fee for up to two papers is ₹1400, while candidates from reserved categories like SC, ST, and PwBD pay a reduced rate.
Transparency in the fee structure is a key highlight of the CUET PG Registration process. If a candidate wishes to appear for additional papers beyond the initial two, they must pay an extra fee per subject (roughly ₹700-₹800). This flexibility allows Biology students to also appear for Life Sciences or Biochemistry exams to widen their opportunities in the Selection Process for CUET PG.
| Category | Application Fee (Up to 2 Papers) | Additional Paper Fee |
| General (UR) | ₹1400 | ₹700 |
| OBC-NCL / EWS | ₹1200 | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / Third Gender | ₹1100 | ₹500 |
| PwBD | ₹1000 | ₹500 |
As per the Eligibility of CUET PG Exam rules, candidates applying under reserved categories must upload valid certificates during the CUET PG Registration. The NTA clarifies that the fee is non-refundable, making it imperative for students to verify their Eligibility of CUET PG Exam before making the payment. Successfully navigating the financial aspect of registration ensures that the candidate’s focus remains on the academic demands of the CUET PG 2026 Biology Exam.
Final Checklist for Aspirants
As the CUET PG 2026 Biology Exam approaches, candidates should perform a final review of their preparation and administrative status. Ensuring that the CUET PG Registration was successful and the confirmation page is saved is the first priority. Simultaneously, students should keep a close watch on the CUET PG Exam Schedule to download their admit cards as soon as they are released in March 2026.
Meeting the Eligibility of CUET PG Exam and performing well in the test is only half the battle. The final victory lies in the Selection Process for CUET PG, where timely applications to individual universities are required. By maintaining a balance between scientific study and administrative vigilance, Biology students can secure their place in India’s leading postgraduate programs through the CUET PG 2026 Biology Exam.
For further information and latest updates visit the official website.
| Related Link |
| CUET PG 2026 Physics Exam |
