PU-CET (UG) 2026

Latest Update – PU CET 2026 (UG): Panjab University has announced the PU CET UG 2026 schedule. The examination is scheduled for May 10, 2026, and the result is expected on May 28, 2026. Candidates should regularly monitor the official portal for admit card, answer key, and counseling updates.

Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh, remains one of India's most prestigious institutions, and its Common Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or PU-CET (UG), is the gateway for students aspiring to join its highly regarded science and pharmacy programs. The 2026 academic session marks a significant period as the university continues its implementation of the 4-year B.Sc. (Hons.) programs in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP-2020).

This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about the exam, eligibility, application process, and merit criteria for the 2026 session.

PU CET (UG) 2026 Official Prospectus: Download PDF

1.0PU CET 2026 Highlights

The examination schedule and university details are available through official notifications.

2.0Important Dates for PU-CET (UG) 2026

Staying updated with the official schedule is crucial for a successful application. Below are the key dates as per the official 2026 prospectus:

3.0Courses Offered via PU-CET (UG) 2026

The entrance exam is mandatory for admission to the following undergraduate programs at the Panjab University Campus, Chandigarh:

1. Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm.).
2. B.Sc. (Hons.) under the framework of Hons. School System (4 Years) in various specializations:
3. • Anthropology
   • Biochemistry
   • Biophysics
   • Biotechnology
   • Botany
   • Chemistry
   • Geology
   • Mathematics
   • Mathematics & Computing
   • Microbiology
   • Physics
   • Physics (Specialization in Electronics)
   • Zoology.

4.0PU-CET Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, candidates must ensure they meet the specific academic requirements set by Panjab University.

General Academic Requirement

• Candidates must have passed or appeared in the 10+2 examination from the CBSE, New Delhi, or any equivalent examination recognized by Panjab University.
• Important: Candidates with a compartment in their 10+2 examination held in March 2026 are not eligible for admission, even if they qualify for the entrance test.

Minimum Marks Requirement

• B. Pharm: At least 50% marks in 10+2 with English, Physics, Chemistry, and one of the following: Biology, Biotechnology, or Mathematics.
• B.Sc. (Hons.) Streams: Generally require 50% marks in 10+2 with relevant subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Math, and English).
• Concessions: A 5% relaxation in eligibility marks is provided to SC, ST, BC, and PwD candidates.

Special Exemptions

• I.N.M.O. (Indian National Mathematical Olympiad) awardees are eligible for direct admission to the B.Sc. (Hons.) in Mathematics without appearing for the PU-CET (UG) test.

5.0Registration and Application Process

The application process is entirely online and involves the following steps:

1. Online Registration: Visit /cetug.puchd.ac.in to generate a Login ID and Password.
2. Fee Payment: Pay the non-refundable registration fee via online mode.
3. Application Fees:
4. • General Category: Rs. 2850.
   • SC / ST / PwD Category: Rs. 1425.
   • Additional Paper (Biology/Math): Rs. 570.
4. Form Completion: Upload a scanned photograph and signature.
5. Final Submission: Save and confirm the details.
   Note: Once submitted, no changes or corrections are allowed in the form.

Documents Required for Registration

Candidates should keep these documents ready:

• Class 10 mark sheet
• Class 12 details
• Passport-size photograph
• Signature
• Valid ID proof
• Category certificate (if applicable)
• Migration certificate (if required)

6.0PU-CET (UG) 2026 Exam Pattern & Syllabus

Understanding the structure of the entrance test is the first step toward effective preparation.

Subject Combinations

Candidates must choose a combination based on their 10+2 subjects and the requirements of their target course:

• PCB: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
• PCM: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
• M: Mathematics only (for specific B.Sc. Mathematics applicants).

Test Structure

The exam consists of four independent papers, each conducted for 70 minutes.

Marking Scheme

• Correct Answer: +2 marks.
• Wrong Answer: Negative marking is applicable; 0.5 marks (25%) will be deducted for every incorrect response.
• Medium: The exam is conducted strictly in English.

Syllabus

The syllabus is based on the CBSE curriculum for Classes 11 and 12 for the 2023-25 sessions.

7.0PU CET (UG) 2026 Admit Card

The PU CET (UG) 2026 admit card is a mandatory document for all candidates appearing for the entrance examination on May 10, 2026. As per the official schedule, the admit card became available for download on May 5, 2026.

How to Download the Admit Card

Candidates must download their admit cards online from the official Panjab University website at /cetug.puchd.ac.in. The university does not send physical copies of the hall ticket; instead, candidates are notified through email and must use their Login ID and Password to access the document.

Important Instructions for Candidates

• Mandatory Requirement: No candidate is permitted to enter the examination hall or take the test without a physical copy of the admit card.
• Photo Identity Proof: Along with the admit card, candidates must bring a valid photo identity proof such as an Aadhaar Card, Voter Card, Passport, or Driving License.
• Provisional Issuance: The admit card is issued provisionally, and its issuance does not guarantee eligibility. The university reserves the right to verify eligibility at any subsequent stage of the admission process.
• Retention: Candidates are strictly advised to retain their admit cards even after the entrance test, as they are required again during the offline counselling and seat allotment process.

Provisions for Late Form Completion

Candidates who paid the entrance test fee by April 24, 2026, but failed to complete their online registration form by the deadline, were given a final opportunity to do so on May 6, 2026. By paying a late fee of Rs. 500, these candidates could have their admit cards or roll numbers issued manually by the CET Cell at Panjab University between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m..

8.0PU CET 2026 Exam Centres

PU CET 2026 examination is conducted across multiple designated test centres to accommodate candidates from different regions. During the application process, applicants can select their preferred exam city based on availability. The final allotted examination centre details are mentioned on the admit card issued by Panjab University.

Expected PU CET UG exam centres may include:

• Chandigarh
• Ludhiana
• Muktsar
• Hoshiarpur

Candidates should note that the university reserves the right to add, remove, or modify examination centres depending on administrative requirements and the number of registrations. The final exam venue, reporting time, and centre address will be available through the admit card.

9.0Rules and Regulations in the Examination Hall

• Admit Card: No candidate will be allowed to enter the hall without a physical copy of the Admit Card and a valid photo ID (Aadhar, Voter ID, etc.).
• Forbidden Items: Calculators, mobile phones, and wireless equipment are strictly prohibited.
• Log Tables: The university provides logarithmic tables; borrowing them is not allowed.
• OMR Rules: Answers must be marked on the prescribed OMR sheet using a black ball/gel pen. Rough work must only be done in the designated space in the question booklet.

10.0PU CET 2026 Answer Key

Panjab University releases the PU CET 2026 answer key after the completion of the entrance examination. Candidates can use the provisional answer key to estimate their probable scores before the declaration of results. The university also provides an objection window for reporting discrepancies within the prescribed timeline. The official PU CET UG 2026 answer key has been published on the examination notice board, and objections were accepted through the notified process.

Steps to Download PU CET 2026 Answer Key

1. Visit the official PU CET website
2. Open the notice board or answer key section
3. Select your subject paper
4. Download the answer key PDF
5. Match your responses and calculate estimated scores

Candidates should rely only on the official answer key for score estimation and admission-related decisions.

11.0Merit List and Selection Criteria

Admission is not based solely on the entrance test. Panjab University uses a weighted formula to calculate the final merit position.

Weighted Calculation

For B.Sc. (Hons.) and B. Pharmacy, the final merit is determined by:

• PU-CET (UG) Entrance Test Score: 75% weightage.
• Qualifying (10+2) Examination Marks: 25% weightage.
• Over-and-above weightages: Additional marks for NCC, NSS, and other activities as per university norms.

Cut-off Marks

To be included in the merit list, candidates must achieve the minimum cut-off percentage in the entrance test:

• General Category: 15% of the total marks.
• SC / ST / BC / PwD Categories: 10% of the total marks.

12.0PU CET (UG) Result 2026

PU CET (UG) Result 2026 will be released online by Panjab University after the completion of the entrance examination. Candidates who appear for the exam can access their scorecards through the official website using their login credentials. According to the official schedule, the tentative result declaration date is May 28, 2026.

The result generally includes:

• Candidate name
• Roll number
• Marks obtained
• Rank details
• Qualifying status
• Merit information

Steps to Check PU CET (UG) Result 2026

1. Visit the official PU CET portal
2. Click on the result link
3. Enter login credentials
4. Submit details
5. View and download the scorecard

After the declaration of results, qualified candidates must complete the admission process and participate in counseling as notified by the university. The university also publishes merit-related updates for admission procedures.

Students are advised to download and save multiple copies of the result for future admission use.

13.0Counselling and Admission

After the results are declared on May 28, 2026, eligible candidates must follow these steps:

1. Admission Form: Qualified candidates must log in to their account to fill out the Admission Form for specific courses and departments.
2. Counselling Sessions: Counselling is typically conducted in offline mode at the respective university departments. Physical presence is mandatory.
3. Document Verification: Candidates must bring original documents, including 10th and 12th marksheets, admit cards, and category certificates.
4. Fee Payment: Selected candidates are required to pay the admission fee on the spot through a bank draft or online payment.

14.0Reservation Policy

Panjab University follows a strict reservation policy for various categories:

• General Category: 54.5% of seats.
• Scheduled Castes (SC): 15%.
• Scheduled Tribes (ST): 7.5%.
• Backward Classes (BC): 5%.
• Persons with Disability (PwD): 5% horizontal reservation.
• Additional Seats: Seats are also reserved for specific groups such as Orphan Children, Transgender candidates, Single Girl Child, and Wards of Kashmiri Migrants.