The proposal for a single common entrance test for colleges has been ruled out. The concept was previously suggested by an expert committee to the University Grants Commission (UGC). For the upcoming 2027 academic session, candidates should note that individual universities and colleges continue to manage their own admission processes. Candidates are advised to monitor official university portals for updates regarding their respective entrance examinations. Read the full article for information regarding the status of university admissions.
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Common Entrance Test for Colleges (DU, AMU, BHU) 2020 Latest Update as on 03 Sep 2026
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Checked on 03 Sep 2026
As of 03 Sep 2026, the policy position established around 2020 — that a single Common Entrance Test for colleges including DU, AMU, and BHU was ruled out — remains the last confirmed stance.
As of 03 Sep 2026, the policy position established around 2020 — that a single Common Entrance Test for colleges including DU, AMU, and BHU was ruled out — remains the last confirmed stance. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has not issued any fresh notification reversing this decision. Since 2022, the Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG), conducted by NTA under UGC's framework, has become the de facto common gateway for central university undergraduate admissions, with Delhi University fully participating. AMU and BHU retain certain institution-specific admission components. Notably, the official ugc.gov.in website is currently seeking public feedback on a proposed revised methodology for CUET UG and CUET PG 2025, indicating continued policy refinement. Students targeting DU, AMU, or BHU admissions in 2027 should monitor ugc.gov.in regularly and prepare through CUET UG as the primary pathway until any new directive is officially announced.
- No fresh official notification from UGC or Ministry of Education regarding a Common Entrance Test for autonomous central universities (DU, AMU, BHU) has been confirmed as of 03 Sep 2026.
- The 2020 news that a single Common Entrance Test for colleges was 'ruled out' for DU, AMU, and BHU remains the last confirmed policy position; these institutions have continued their own admission processes since then.
- CUET UG (conducted by NTA under UGC) has since emerged as the common entrance pathway for central university UG admissions — DU participates in CUET UG; AMU and BHU maintain some independent components.
- Based on the pattern since 2022, CUET UG 2027 registration is tentatively expected to open around January–February 2027 (last cycle: early 2026); students should monitor ugc.gov.in for any new directives.
- UGC's official website (ugc.gov.in) is currently inviting comments on a proposed revised methodology for CUET UG and CUET PG 2025, suggesting further policy evolution is ongoing but not yet finalised.
- No reversal of the 2020 'ruled out' decision has been officially announced; any new common entrance framework would require a fresh UGC/MoE notification.
Sources: University Grants Commission (UGC) Official Website
Latest update: Admission to central universities is conducted via CUET UG.
Common Entrance Test for Colleges has been Ruled Out
According to a UGC senior official ” Single entrance exams are not possible this year because of the uncertainty of the situation and the difficulties that can arise because of it. The number of students is just too large for us to conduct a common entrance test at this time “.
As the plan of conducting a common entrance test has been ruled out, all the state and central institutions have been left on their own to decide the date, time and mechanism of admissions.
The dates of the engineering and medical entrance exams i.e JEE Mains exam and NEET exam have been announced. However, the state or central universities who had postponed their entrance exams have not declared new exam dates.
Central Varsities Admission Status
Central universities, including Banaras Hindu University and Aligarh Muslim University, determine their own admission schedules. Official dates for the 2027 session are expected to be announced by the respective university administrations.
Aligarh Muslim University
AMU officials indicate that admission schedules are managed internally. Students are advised to check the official university website for updates regarding entrance exam notifications.
Jawaharlal Nehru University
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) entrance exams are conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The schedule for the 2027 session is expected to be announced by the relevant authorities.
Delhi University
Delhi University (DU), which takes admission of students at the largest number among all the central universities had announced the exam dates but had to postpone the registration again.
DU gives admission to around 50,000 students every year at UG level on the basis of Merit(Cutoff) and entrance exams. According to DU senior officials, schedule for both the methods are uncertain at this time.
Shobha Bagai, the dean of admissions at Delhi University said that they will start the admission process after declaration of class 12th result by CBSE which is not declared yet. So, the university has not decided any date for starting the admission procedure. However, the university has started the preparation.
The university conducts the entrance exam for UG Courses. The dean said that they have tied up with NTA for conduction of entrance exam. They are waiting for a go-ahead. Moreover, private universities have already started their admission procedure through online mode.
Online Admissions in Private Universities
Major Changes This Year
No major change reversing the 2020 'ruled out' decision on a Common Entrance Test for colleges has been officially announced as of 03 Sep 2026. However, UGC's official website confirms that feedback is being invited on a proposed revised methodology for CUET UG and CUET PG 2025, suggesting incremental changes to the existing common entrance framework are under consideration. Any structural changes to how DU, AMU, or BHU conduct admissions would require a formal UGC or Ministry of Education notification. Students should treat all current changes as tentative until officially confirmed.
OP Jindal University in Sonepat, Haryana, recognized as an ‘Institute of Eminence’ by the central government, utilizes online assessment methods for its admissions.
OP Jindal University
The university conducts its admission process for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes through an AI-Enabled home proctored examination, known as the Jindal Scholastic Aptitude Test (JSAT). The exam is administered by Pearson Virtual University Enterprises (VUE).
Information regarding the 2027 admission schedule is expected to be announced by the university.
NTA official website: www.nta.ac.in
Frequently Asked Questions
Was a Common Entrance Test for DU, AMU, and BHU officially scrapped?
Yes, around 2020, reports confirmed that a single Common Entrance Test for colleges including DU, AMU, and BHU was ruled out. These institutions were to continue with their own admission processes. This policy position has not been officially reversed as of Sep 2026.
Does CUET UG serve as a common entrance test for DU admissions now?
Yes. Since 2022, CUET UG (conducted by NTA under UGC) has functioned as the common entrance test for undergraduate admissions at Delhi University and most central universities. This is an official development confirmed through UGC and NTA communications.
Do AMU and BHU participate in CUET UG?
AMU and BHU have participated in CUET UG for some programmes, but they also retain institution-specific admission components for certain courses. Students should verify the latest admission policy directly on amu.ac.in and bhu.ac.in, as this varies by year.
Is there any new policy update from UGC in 2026 regarding a common entrance for colleges?
No new policy reversing or replacing the 2020 decision has been officially confirmed. UGC is seeking feedback on a revised CUET methodology as of 2025–26, but no formal directive on a new Common Entrance Test for colleges has been issued.
When is CUET UG 2027 expected to begin registration?
Based on previous-year patterns, CUET UG registration is tentatively expected to open around January–February 2027. This is an estimate based on prior cycles and has not been officially confirmed yet. Monitor ugc.gov.in for the official notification.
Where can students check for the latest official updates on college admissions policy?
Students should monitor ugc.gov.in (UGC's official website) and the official NTA website for CUET UG updates. For institution-specific changes at DU, AMU, or BHU, check du.ac.in, amu.ac.in, and bhu.ac.in respectively.
What should students preparing for DU, AMU, or BHU admissions in 2027 do now?
Students should prepare for CUET UG 2027 as the primary pathway for central university undergraduate admissions. Additionally, keep track of any institution-specific entrance tests for AMU and BHU, and follow ugc.gov.in for any policy announcements regarding the revised CUET methodology.
