So, what’s this buzz about CUET that’s taking over Indian education? Why’s everyone, from Delhi to Dammam, suddenly talking about it?
If you’re a student (or parent) trying to figure out the future of college admissions, here’s your one-stop explainer. Whether you’re studying in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, or in Saudi Arabia under the Indian curriculum, this article will make CUET crystal clear.
Common University Entrance Test is a national-level exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for undergraduate admissions. It allows students to apply to multiple universities in India using one score.
Instead of writing different entrance exams for each college, CUET gives you a single, standardized test that opens doors to courses across Arts, Science, and Commerce streams.
One exam → Multiple universities.
Transparent admission process. You know the cutoff, subject combos, and eligibility in advance.
Flexible choices. Mix & match subjects across disciplines.
Equal opportunity. No bias between state boards, CBSE, ICSE, or NRI schools.
Less stress, more access, and a smarter way to apply to India’s best universities.
| Feature | CUET | JEE | NEET |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goal | UG admission to Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, etc. | Engineering (IITs/NITs) | Medicine (MBBS/BDS) |
| Difficulty | Moderate | High | High |
| Subjects Tested | Language + Domain + General Test | Physics, Chem, Math | Physics, Chem, Bio |
| Exam Type | MCQ, board-level | Conceptual, problem-solving | Knowledge-intensive |
| Scope | 200+ universities | IITs/NITs only | Medical/dental colleges |
👉 If you’re not strictly chasing JEE or NEET, CUET gives you flexibility — think Economics, Psychology, Law, or Computer Science without burning out.
More than 250 universities (central, state, private, and deemed) now accept CUET scores.
Delhi University (DU)
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)
University of Hyderabad
Jamia Millia Islamia
Central University of Tamil Nadu
Central University of Kerala
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
Arts & Social Sciences: Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, English, History
Commerce & Business: BCom, BBA, BMS, Economics (Hons)
Science & Tech: BSc Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Computer Science, Data Science
Law & Education: BA LLB, B.Ed integrated
Languages: Indian & foreign languages
This is your entry ticket to both heritage universities like BHU and modern campuses like Bennett or Amity.
Before CUET, there was CUCET (Central Universities Common Entrance Test) — smaller, limited to select universities.
Then came the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, pushing for common assessments.
In 2022, NTA officially launched CUET (UG) as a unified test for all central universities.
Since then, CUET has become the second-largest entrance exam in India, just behind NEET, with over 14 lakh applicants in 2025.
Thousands of Indian students across Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah, Jubail, and Khobar dream of studying in India. CUET makes that easier than ever.
Exam Centres Abroad: NTA has gradually expanded test centres for CUET in GCC countries.
Single Application: No need to apply separately to each college.
Digital Process: From registration to results — 100% online.
Affordable Education: CUET-based colleges offer world-class degrees at a fraction of Western tuition costs.
If your roots are in Kerala or Tamil Nadu, you already have an edge.
Curriculum Match: Most Indian schools in Saudi Arabia (like IIS Dammam, IIS Riyadh, or Al-Khobar) follow CBSE, which aligns perfectly with it’s NCERT-based syllabus.
Language Boost: Students from Kerala & TN often excel in English, Malayalam, or Tamil — useful for the Language Paper in CUET.
Parental Awareness: South Indian families have strong academic traditions, and CUET now adds non-STEM options beyond engineering/medicine.
University Familiarity: Central Universities of Kerala & Tamil Nadu are CUET participants, offering smooth transitions for Gulf students who wish to return home.
In short, it bridges the gap between your Gulf schooling and Indian university dreams — whether that’s DU, BHU, or a university back in your home state.
One of the biggest student concerns: “Do CUET-based colleges have good placements?”
Absolutely — placement success depends more on the college and course than the exam itself.
Delhi University (DU):
Recruits include Deloitte, EY, KPMG, Google, McKinsey. Average packages ₹6–10 LPA for top colleges like SRCC, Hindu, and LSR.
BHU & AMU:
Excellent placement cells. Companies like Infosys, TCS, Wipro, and ONGC recruit regularly.
Central University of Kerala/Tamil Nadu:
Rising placement records in IT, analytics, and research. Students get internships with ISRO, DRDO, and state research councils.
Private CUET-accepting universities:
Tie-ups with multinational firms and strong startup incubators.
It doesn’t limit your opportunities — it simply determines how you enter college. Your placements depend on how you perform after you’re in.
Mode: Computer-based test (CBT)
Structure:
Section 1A: Languages (13 options)
Section 1B: Additional Languages
Section 2: Domain-specific subjects (choose up to 6)
Section 3: General Test (logical reasoning, GK, math aptitude)
Duration: 45 mins per paper
Type: Objective MCQs
Start with NCERT. CUET questions rarely go beyond board concepts.
Practice mock tests weekly. Time yourself, track weak areas.
Strengthen comprehension. Reading skills help across all papers.
Know your target universities. Each one lists subject combinations it accepts.
Keep documents ready. Passport, OCI/PIO card (if abroad), 12th marks, etc.
Q1. Is CUET mandatory for all central universities?
Yes — all central universities use CUET for UG admissions. Many state and private colleges are joining too.
Q2. Can NRI students from Saudi Arabia apply?
Yes. You can register online using your passport or OCI number. Some years, NTA even sets up GCC exam centres.
Q3. Can I give both CUET and JEE/NEET?
Of course! all the three exams are independent, so you can attempt all three if you want options.
Q4. How are placements after CUET-based admissions?
Excellent in top universities like DU, BHU, and AMU — strong corporate and research tie-ups.
Q5. Is the exam tough?
Moderate. If you’re confident with your Class 11–12 syllabus and practice MCQs, you’ll be fine.
For Indian Gen Z, especially those growing up in Saudi Arabia or the Gulf, CUET is the smartest bridge back to India’s best campuses.
It’s fair, digital, and flexible — everything modern education should be.
Whether you’re dreaming of Delhi University, the calm of BHU’s campus, or returning to study near home in Kerala or Tamil Nadu, one score can open every door.
So, get that syllabus ready, set your timeline, and go all in.
Also Read: What’s Next After School? Career & Exam Guide for Indian Students in Saudi Arabia – AL KSA
