CUET UG English Syllabus 2026

The Language Section of the CUET UG English syllabus is designed to assess a student’s reading skills, vocabulary, comprehension, and overall command of the English language. It evaluates not only linguistic knowledge but also the ability to understand, interpret, and apply language in different contexts.

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The CUET UG English syllabus for the 2026 academic year follows a clearly defined and structured format. The paper will consist of a total of 50 compulsory questions, with no internal choices available. This means that candidates are required to attempt all questions without any option to skip or substitute. The examination will be conducted for a duration of 60 minutes, during which students must manage their time effectively to complete the paper.

Each correct answer will be awarded 5 marks, encouraging accuracy and careful reading of questions. However, to maintain fairness and discourage guesswork, 1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect response. Therefore, students are advised to answer questions thoughtfully and avoid unnecessary risks. The marking scheme highlights the importance of both speed and precision in order to achieve a high score in the CUET UG English exam.

Key Points:

• Total Questions: 50
• Nature of Questions: All compulsory (no internal choice)
• Exam Duration: 60 minutes
• Marks for Correct Answer: +5
• Negative Marking: –1 for each incorrect answer

Reading Comprehension

A major component of this section in CUET UG English Syllabus is Reading Comprehension, which tests how effectively students can read and analyze written material. Candidates are presented with passages of up to 300 words, drawn from three distinct categories: factual, narrative, and literary. Factual passages focus on information-based content and assess a student’s ability to identify key details, infer meaning, and understand arguments. Narrative passages evaluate comprehension through storytelling, testing the ability to follow sequences, characters, and themes. Literary passages, often more descriptive or expressive, measure a student’s interpretative skills, tone recognition, and appreciation of language style.

Key Points: (One passage with 4 MCQs from each sub-part)

• Factual Passage
• Narrative Passage
• Literary Passage

Overall, THREE passages with 12 MCQs.

English Grammar

The second key area of the CUET UG English Syllabus is Verbal Ability, which examines grammar usage, vocabulary strength, and logical language application. This section includes questions on rearranging parts, where students must organize sentences or phrases into a coherent structure, testing clarity of thought and understanding of sentence flow. Match the following questions to assess the ability to connect related ideas, words, or expressions accurately. Choosing the correct word focuses on contextual vocabulary usage, ensuring that students can identify the most appropriate word based on meaning and grammar. Additionally, synonyms and antonyms test vocabulary depth and the ability to recognize word relationships.

Key Points: (8-10 questions from each sub-part below)

• Rearranging the parts
• Match the following
• Choosing the correct word
• Synonyms and Antonyms

Rearranging the Parts

In this section of the CUET UG English Syllabus, students have to rearrange the given phrases into a meaningful sentence. Here is one example question.

Rearrange the following phrases into a meaningful sentence. The beginning of the sentence has been given below. Read the options and find out which of the four combinations is correct:-

The need for a scientific understanding…
(A) the Rio Earth Summit, the first of its kind
(B) involving world leaders on environment and development
(C) of natural ecosystems, including forests, was the main objective of
(D) of phenomena like climate change, biodiversity, and conservation

Choose the correct answer from the options given below

1. (C), (D), (A), (B)
2. (B), (C), (D), (A)
3. (D), (C), (A), (B)
4. (D), (B), (A), (C)

Match the Following

You will be given two columns, each containing four items. Your task is to correctly match the items from one column with those in the other. The items may include idioms, phrases, nouns, connectors, prepositions, verb forms, or other grammar-related elements. Here are some example questions.

Example 1

Match the idioms in List-I with their meanings in List-II

List-I	List-II
Idioms	Meanings
(A) Put one’s shoulder to the wheel	(I) Work hard at a task
(B) Throw down the gauntlet	(II) Take up a challenge
(C) Get too big for one’s boots	(III) Spend within the limits of what one can afford
(D) Cut one’s coat according to one’s cloth	(IV) Become very conceited

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:-

1. (A) – (I), (B) – (II), (C) – (III), (D) – (IV)
2. (A) – (I), (B) – (IV), (C) – (II), (D) – (III)
3. (A) – (I), (B) – (II), (C) – (IV), (D) – (III)
4. (A) – (III), (B) – (IV), (C) – (I), (D) – (II)

Example 2

Fill in the blanks in the sentences given in List – I with the appropriate phrasal verbs given in List -II:-

List-I	List-II
(Sentences)	(Phrasal Verbs)
(A) Despite searching for hours, she couldn’t find her keys, but they eventually _____ in her jacket	(I) turn down
(B) The old factory was eventually _____ a vibrant art gallery, preserving its historical significance.	(II) turn on
(C) Before leaving the room, she remembered to  ______ the air conditioner to keep it cool.	(III) turned up
(D) She had to  _______ the volume of the music to avoid disturbing her neighbours late at night.	(IV) turned into

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:-

1. (A) – (I), (B) – (II), (C) – (III), (D) – (IV)
2. (A) – (II), (B) – (IV), (C) – (I), (D) – (III)
3. (A) – (I), (B) – (II), (C) – (IV), (D) – (III)
4. (A) – (III), (B) – (IV), (C) – (II), (D) – (I)

Choose the Correct Word

In this case, you will get fill-up type questions where you need to choose the correct word from the given options. Such types of questions are also part of the English grammar of the CUET UG English Syllabus.

Example 1

Fill in the blank with the correct word from the options given below to make a meaningful sentence:-
In my haste to stop the boiling milk from overflowing, I accidentally  my fingers.

1. sizzled
2. scorched
3. scalded
4. sunburnt

Example 2

Fill in the blank with the correct word from the options given below:-
She is standing  her husband in this crisis.

1. with
2. in
3. for
4. by

Synonyms and Antonyms

These are MCQs based on synonyms and antonyms.

Example 1

The speech given by him seemed to be INNOCUOUS but there were undercurrents that implied the contrary:-
The ANTONYM of the word INNOCUOUS is:

1. Inoffensive
2. Harmful
3. Gentle
4. Insightful

Example 2

Select the word from the given options that is most similar in meaning to the word- ALLEVIATE

1. Swell
2. Aggravate
3. Repel
4. Assuage

Overall, the CUET UG English Syllabus Section aims to develop and assess critical reading, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills. Regular reading practice, vocabulary building, and exposure to varied texts can help students perform well and gain confidence in this section.