How Many Students Appear for Cuet

How Many Students Give CUET Exam? Key Insights and Trends

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) has quickly become one of India’s largest and most competitive entrance exams for undergraduate admissions. Since its introduction by the National Testing Agency (NTA), CUET has witnessed a massive surge in student registrations across the country. If you’re planning to appear for CUET and wondering how many students give CUET exam each year, this detailed guide offers updated data, important insights, and what this means for your preparation.

In 2022, the first year of the CUET (UG), around 14.9 lakh students registered for the exam. This was a historic number for a debut test, surpassing other major entrance exams like JEE Main and NEET in terms of registration. The number grew significantly in 2023, with over 16.8 lakh candidates applying. The surge in participation reflects how CUET is becoming the standard gateway to top central, state, and private universities.

The CUET exam has been adopted by more than 250+ universities, including Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), and many state and private institutions. With such broad university participation, students from all academic streams — science, commerce, and humanities — are appearing in large numbers to secure admission in their preferred courses.

In the latest CUET cycle, over 13 lakh students actually appeared for the exam out of the registered 16.8 lakh candidates. The high attendance rate indicates the importance students place on this exam. It also shows growing trust in a centralized entrance system for fair and merit-based admission.

CUET is conducted across multiple phases and shifts to accommodate the massive student base. In 2023, the exam was held in over 500 cities in India and abroad, including cities in the Middle East, Nepal, and Southeast Asia. The wide reach makes it accessible to students across socio-economic and regional backgrounds.

So, how many students give CUET exam annually? On average, more than 15 lakh students register, and around 80% to 85% actually take the test. This scale makes CUET one of the most widely taken entrance exams in India today.

The growing number of test takers means that competition is also increasing each year. The number of available seats in top universities is limited, so scoring well in the CUET becomes essential. For example, Delhi University alone receives more than 3 lakh applications through CUET, but the number of seats is around 70,000. Similar trends are seen in other universities, making preparation all the more important.

The exam’s rising popularity also stems from its structured format and flexibility. CUET allows students to choose from over 27 domain subjects, 33 languages, and an optional General Test, offering combinations that fit a variety of course requirements. This allows students to tailor their subject choices to align with their desired university programs.

Another reason so many students give CUET exam is the transparency and efficiency of the process. The exam is conducted in a fully computer-based mode with MCQ-type questions. Results are usually declared within a few weeks, and central universities follow a merit-based system to finalize admissions.

As CUET continues to expand and include more institutions, it’s expected that the number of applicants will cross 20 lakh in the coming years. For students in Classes 11 and 12, understanding the scale and significance of CUET is important to plan their preparation early and stand out in the competition.

In summary, if you’re asking how many students give CUET exam, the answer is: more than 15 lakh candidates each year, and the number is growing. This highlights the importance of early preparation, smart subject selection, and strategic practice with mock tests. With the CUET becoming central to UG admissions in India, being informed and well-prepared can make all the difference in securing a top university seat.