CUET UG 2026: Majority of Candidates Receive Preferred Exam Cities, Correction Window Now Open
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released important updates regarding the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) 2026. According to the latest notification, a significant majority of registered candidates have been allocated their preferred exam cities. Specifically, 96.6 percent of applicants have received centers in locations they had chosen during the application process.
However, the remaining 3.4 percent of candidates—those who did not secure their desired city—now have a fresh opportunity to make changes. The NTA has reopened the correction window specifically for these students, allowing them to select alternative cities where seats are still available. This facility operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so early action is advisable.
Exam Schedule and Registration Overview
CUET-UG 2026 is scheduled to be conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode between May 11 and May 31, 2026. The NTA has already issued admit cards for the examination. From a total pool of approximately 15.68 lakh registered candidates, nearly all have now received their center allocations.
The allocation data reveals that about 79 percent of candidates received their very first choice of exam city. The remaining 17.6 percent within the 96.6 percent figure were assigned to their second or subsequent preferred locations. The 3.4 percent who missed out entirely were affected by high demand and limited seat availability in their chosen cities.
Distribution of City Allocations
- First preference city: 79%
- Allocated within preferred cities: 96.6%
- Allocated outside preference list: 3.4%
Exam Conducted Across 35 Shifts Nationwide
This year’s CUET-UG allows candidates to select up to five subjects simultaneously. This flexibility has resulted in an enormous scale of operations, with over 67 lakh individual subject examinations scheduled. On average, each student has opted for four to five subjects, creating numerous combinations that expand the exam’s complexity significantly.
To manage this efficiently, the NTA has organized the examination across 35 shifts spanning the entire country. This structured approach ensures that all subject combinations are covered while maintaining the integrity and smooth conduct of the test.
Subject Selection Patterns Among Candidates
The distribution of candidates based on the number of subjects chosen provides insight into current trends:
- 1 subject: 11,140 candidates
- 2 subjects: 31,011 candidates
- 3 subjects: 2,93,660 candidates
- 4 subjects: 3,63,096 candidates
- 5 subjects: 8,69,959 candidates
Clearly, the majority of students are opting for the maximum allowable subjects, which significantly broadens the examination framework and logistical requirements.
Regional Concentration Poses Allocation Challenges
A notable challenge in the allocation process stems from the geographic concentration of applicants. Approximately 6,74,352 registrations—around 43 percent of all candidates—originate from just three states: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Delhi. In these regions alone, nearly 29,93,554 examinations are being conducted across 9,922 different subject combinations.
This density creates significant pressure on available infrastructure in those areas. When demand for a particular city, subject combination, and shift exceeds capacity, the NTA is compelled to assign candidates to nearby or alternative locations. Additionally, factors such as the availability of secure CBT centers, trained personnel, and the need to maintain examination fairness further complicate the allocation process.
Second Chance for Affected Candidates
Following the initial allocation round, the NTA has identified vacant slots for various subjects in select cities. Candidates who were placed outside their preferred locations can now log in to the official portal and choose from these available options. The correction window is designed to accommodate as many students as possible, but since it operates on a first-come, first-served basis, those who act quickly will have the best selection of remaining cities.
This move reflects the NTA’s commitment to accommodating student preferences wherever feasible, even as it manages one of the largest university entrance examinations in the country. Candidates are encouraged to review their current allocations and make any necessary adjustments promptly to secure the most convenient exam location possible.
