NEW DELHI: CUET-UG 2027 could see some of its biggest changes yet – fewer subjects, shorter papers and a new grouping system aimed at ensuring that a student can finish the entire entrance test in a single day instead of making repeated trips to examination centres.The ministry of education, University Grants Commission and National Testing Agency are working on a formula to shorten the overall examination cycle and simplify the experience for candidates, sources said.At present, a candidate can take up to five subjects in CUET-UG, with each paper lasting 60 minutes.
Under one proposal being examined, the duration of individual papers could be reduced so that even a student taking five subjects can complete all tests within about 180 to 200 minutes.
CUET-UG also mulls reducing number of subjects from 5 to 4
Another option under discussion is whether the maximum number of subjects should be reduced from five to four. Sources said senior officials of the education ministry, UGC and NTA recently discussed the proposed changes and asked officials to examine how the examination could be compressed without affecting university admission requirements.A key part of the plan is to create subject groups based on commonly chosen combinations. This would allow NTA to schedule related papers together and complete a candidate’s examination in one sitting or on the same day.For example, physics, chemistry and biology could form one group for those seeking admission to science programmes. General studies could be added as a fourth paper where universities give weightage to its score. The idea is to bu-ild these groups around eligibility rules followed by universities.
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For instance, a student seeking admission to physics (Hons) at DU could choose the relevant three-subject combination rather than taking papers not required for the course.Officials believe such grouping could reduce the number of examination days and make scheduling easier. It could also end the problem of students having to travel to examination centres on different days for different papers. The proposals will depend on consultations with universities and the testing agency.
