Is the CUET Exam Format Failing Humanities? Parliamentary Committee Raises Concerns

A parliamentary committee has raised significant concerns regarding the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), particularly its multiple-choice format, which may not be suitable for humanities and social sciences. The committee has called for a review of the exam's design and question quality to align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. While acknowledging the benefits of CUET as a universal admissions method, some members question its effectiveness for universities with specific needs, such as Jawaharlal Nehru University. The government has noted these concerns and is taking steps to address them. Discover more about the implications of this report and the future of CUET.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 17, 2026, 09:59 IST

Concerns Raised Over CUET Format

New Delhi: A parliamentary committee has expressed concerns regarding the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), suggesting that its multiple-choice format may not be appropriate for disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. The committee has called for a thorough review of the exam's design and the quality of its questions to align with the National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, led by Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, noted that CUET was introduced in the 2022-23 academic year to alleviate the pressure on students and universities, aiming to standardize admissions across various educational boards.

Despite this, some committee members remain skeptical about CUET being the sole method for undergraduate admissions, as highlighted in a report submitted to Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan.

This report is the 381st Action Taken Report concerning recommendations from the 364th Report on Demands for Grants (2025-26) related to the Department of Higher Education.

The committee's report stated, "Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are particularly unsuitable for humanities and social sciences, which fundamentally rely on independent and subjective thought."

It further recommended a reassessment of the question paper quality and the overall design of the CUET to ensure it fulfills the objectives set out in the NEP, 2020.

While the committee acknowledged the advantages of having CUET as the primary entrance exam, it also pointed out that it may not cater to the specific needs of universities like Jawaharlal Nehru University, which have unique legislative requirements.

The committee plans to continue discussions on this issue.

The report emphasized that JNU's testing system was established to ensure socio-economic and regional diversity in admissions, as mandated by the JNU Act.

In response to the committee's observations, the government stated that these concerns were "duly noted," and that the University Grants Commission and the National Testing Agency have been appropriately informed.

CUET is currently being utilized for admissions to central universities and other participating institutions, offering a single application process that allows students to apply once and take one exam for multiple universities.

The report also mentioned that CUET has quickly become the second-largest examination in India, with 1,354,699 applicants in 2025.

Additionally, the structure of CUET(UG) has been refined based on experiences from its initial three editions, with the 2025 exam covering 37 subjects and results being announced over three weeks earlier than in 2024.