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CUET Passing Marks: Every year, lakhs of students take the CUET exam to secure admission to Delhi University (DU), JNU, BHU, and other top universities. However, one key question remains: What are the CUET Exam Passing Marks? Many aspirants worry about CUET qualifying marks, category-wise cutoffs, and the minimum marks required in each subject to get admission.
CUET 2025 passing marks are not fixed as universities decide their cutoffs. However, for General Category students, a score of 450+ is considered safe for DU, while OBC, SC, and ST candidates may need lower CUET passing marks. Students must stay updated on CUET 2025 qualifying marks, total marks, and subject-wise cutoffs to improve their chances of admission.
What are CUET Passing Marks?
CUET passing marks are the minimum scores required to qualify for university admission through the CUET exam. Unlike board exams, CUET does not have a fixed passing mark. Instead, each university sets its own CUET qualifying marks based on exam difficulty, category reservations, and available seats.
For General category students, a score of 450+ is usually needed for top universities like Delhi University (DU). OBC candidates may require around 400+, while SC/ST candidates often have lower cutoff scores.
Since CUET total marks vary by subject, students should aim for a high score in each section to increase their chances of meeting university-specific cutoffs. CUET 2025 passing marks will depend on competition and admission trends.
CUET Passing Marks 2025- Classification of Marks
CUET passing marks help determine a student’s eligibility for admission to Delhi University (DU), JNU, BHU, and other top universities. Since there are no fixed CUET exam passing marks, universities decide CUET qualifying marks based on CUET total marks, category-based cutoffs, and percentile rankings.
A very good CUET score increases the chances of getting into highly competitive courses, while a good CUET score improves admission prospects in reputed programs. An average CUET score may be sufficient for some universities, but a low CUET score can limit options. Below is a classification of CUET 2025 passing marks and percentiles:
| CUET Passing Marks Classification | |
| Rating | Approximate CUET Score |
| Very good score in CUET | 700 and above (98-99 Percentile) |
| Good score in CUET | 550-650 (90+ Percentile) |
| Average score in CUET | 400-550 (80+ Percentile) |
| Low score in CUET | Score less than 400 |
Section Wise CUET Passing Marks 2025 (Expected)
CUET 2025 exam consists of three sections: Language, Domain-Specific Subjects, and General Test. Each section has different criteria for passing. Below is a breakdown of the CUET passing marks in each section based on previous trends.
Section I: Language
The CUET Language section (Sections IA and IB) allows students to choose up to three languages. It tests vocabulary, reading comprehension, and literary skills.
| CUET 2025 Section I | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Questions | Attempt at least 40 out of 50 |
| Passing Marks | 80-90 per language (160-180 combined for IA & IB) |
| Relaxation | 5% cutoff relaxation for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC) |
Section II: Domain-Specific Subjects
The CUET Domain Subject section allows students to select up to five subjects from 23 options.
| CUET 2025 Section II | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Questions | Attempt at least 40-50 questions |
| Maximum Marks | 300 marks in total |
| Passing Marks | 120+ per subject |
Section III: General Test
The CUET General Test assesses general knowledge, quantitative aptitude, and logical reasoning.
| CUET 2025 Section III | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Questions | Attempt 40 out of 50 questions |
| Passing Marks | 120+ marks |
Since CUET qualifying marks depend on CUET total marks, percentile scores, and category-wise cutoffs, students should aim for higher scores to secure admission to top universities like DU, JNU, and BHU.
Category Wise CUET Passing Marks 2025 (Expected)
CUET (Common University Entrance Test) passing marks for 2025 are expected to vary by category, with different cutoffs set by universities based on reservation policies, seat availability, and exam difficulty. The following are the expected passing marks for each category:
CUET Passing Marks For General Category
For General category students, CUET passing marks are usually higher because there is no reservation. Universities like Delhi University (DU), JNU, and BHU set their own cutoffs based on CUET total marks, seat availability, and competition.
A safe CUET score for General category students is 450+, but top universities may require 700+ for competitive courses. Since admissions are based on percentile, students should aim for a 90+ percentile to increase their chances of selection. The cutoffs may vary each year depending on the exam difficulty and number of applicants.
CUET Passing Marks For OBC Category
For OBC category students, the CUET qualifying marks are lower than those for the General category due to reserved seats in central universities. However, cutoffs depend on CUET total marks, university policies, and course demand.
A safe score for OBC students is 400+, while competitive courses at universities like DU, BHU, and JNU may require 600+. The percentile ranking also plays a role, so students should aim for 80+ percentile to improve their admission chances. Cutoffs can change yearly based on the exam difficulty and number of candidates.
CUET Passing Marks For SC Category
SC category students have lower CUET passing marks because of reservation benefits, but cutoffs still depend on university policies and course popularity. A safe score for SC students is around 350+, while more in-demand courses may require 500+.
Universities like DU and JNU set different qualifying marks based on seat availability and CUET total marks. SC students should try to score as high as possible to increase their chances of getting admission into top universities and preferred courses. The cutoff marks may change every year based on the exam pattern and number of applicants.
CUET Passing Marks For ST Category
The CUET passing marks for ST category students are the lowest among all categories due to higher reservation benefits. However, universities still have specific cutoffs depending on CUET total marks, course demand, and seat availability.
A safe CUET score for ST students is around 300-450, though some courses may have cutoffs as low as 250. Top universities like DU and BHU may have slightly higher cutoffs for in-demand courses. Since admissions depend on percentile, scoring higher will improve the chances of getting into a preferred program.
CUET UG 2025 Total Marks
The CUET total marks determine a student’s eligibility for admission to top universities like Delhi University (DU), JNU, and BHU. The CUET 2025 exam consists of three sections: Language, Domain Subject, and General Test. Each section contains 50 compulsory questions, and the maximum marks for each section are 250. This makes the CUET maximum marks a total of 750.
Since universities set CUET qualifying marks based on CUET total marks and percentile rankings, students should aim for a high score to improve their admission chances. Below is the CUET 2025 total marks distribution:
| CUET UG 2025 Total Marks | ||
| Section | Number of Questions (All Compulsory) | CUET Total Marks |
| Section IA (Language) | 50 Questions | 250 |
| Section II (Domain Subject) | 50 Questions | 250 |
| Section III (General Test) | 50 Questions | 250 |
How are CUET Qualifying Marks Determined?
CUET qualifying marks or CUET cutoff are decided by individual universities participating in the admission process. Once the CUET 2025 results are announced, colleges release their course-wise cutoffs or merit lists based on the CUET score and percentile. For example, Delhi University (DU) publishes a merit list, while BHU provides a course-specific cutoff. Several factors influence the CUET 2025 qualifying marks, including:
- Course and Competition Level: The CUET cutoff varies depending on the number of applicants and available seats. Highly competitive courses tend to have higher passing marks.
- Exam Difficulty Level: If the CUET question paper is tough, the cutoff may be adjusted accordingly. To ensure fairness across different exam sessions, the CUET normalization process is applied.
- Reservation Category: Students from reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC) generally have a lower CUET cutoff than the General category, as universities follow government-mandated reservation policies.
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CUET Passing Marks FAQs
Class 12 marks are required for CUET eligibility as candidates must pass 10+2. However, admissions are based only on CUET scores, and class 12 marks do not affect the final result.
The expected passing marks for CUET vary by category. General and OBC candidates need around 400-450 marks, while Section I (Language) requires 80-90 marks. Section II (Domain Subjects) needs at least 120 marks to qualify.
A CUET score of 140-170 is considered average. Whether it is good or not depends on the university and course cutoff, as each institution has different admission criteria.
If a student does not pass CUET, they can retake the exam next year, apply to private universities, consider vocational courses, attempt other entrance exams, or explore study options abroad.