CUET PG Fees Structure 2026 : Registration, Admission & Effective counselling

What is the CUET PG Fees Structure 2026 for Application?

The CUET PG Fees Structure 2026 requires General category students to pay ₹1,400 for up to two test papers, with an additional ₹700 per extra paper. OBC-NCL/EWS candidates pay ₹1,200, while SC/ST/Third Gender applicants pay ₹1,100. International applicants are charged ₹7,000 for the first two subjects.

Understanding the CUET PG Fees Structure 2026 for Different Categories

The CUET PG Fees Structure 2026 is primarily determined by the applicant’s category and the number of subjects selected during the application process. For the 2026 academic cycle, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has established a base fee that covers up to three test papers, ensuring students can apply to multiple disciplines without separate registrations.

Candidates must pay these charges through online modes like Net Banking, Credit/Debit Cards, or UPI. It is important to note that the CUET PG Fees Structure 2026 also accounts for a correction window, where additional minor fees might apply if certain fields in the application are modified after the initial submission.

Essential Steps for CUET PG Registration and Fee Payment

The CUET PG Registration process is a multi-step digital procedure that begins on the official NTA website. Aspirants must first create a profile by providing basic details such as name, mobile number, and email ID. Once registered, a system-generated application number is issued, which serves as the primary identifier for all future interactions, including fee payment.

During CUET PG Registration, after filling in academic and personal data, students reach the “Selection of University” stage. Here, one must carefully choose the target institutions and specific domain subjects. The final cost reflects the number of subjects chosen. Unlike undergraduate processes that may allow offline payments, the postgraduate application fee must be paid exclusively through online payment gateways like SBI, ICICI Bank, or Paytm to ensure immediate confirmation.

Navigating CUET PG Admission & Counselling 2026 Costs

After the entrance results are declared, the phase of CUET PG Admission & Counselling 2026 begins, which introduces a different set of financial requirements. Each participating university, such as Delhi University or BHU, manages its own counseling portal. Participation in CUET PG Admission & Counselling 2026 typically involves a non-refundable registration fee, which varies significantly between central and private institutions.

For instance, top-tier central universities might charge a nominal counseling fee ranging from ₹100 to ₹500. However, the total cost of CUET PG Admission & Counselling 2026 encompasses more than just portal registration. Once a seat is allocated, students are required to pay the first installment of their admission fees to secure their position. This often includes tuition, library charges, and laboratory fees, which can range from ₹3,000 to ₹50,000 depending on the course and university type.

University-Specific Fee Variations in the 2026 Cycle

While the NTA handles the entrance test, the CUET PG Fees Structure 2026 for actual courses is set by individual universities. Central universities like Banaras Hindu University (BHU) have proposed fee revisions for 2026. For example, the proposed fee for an L.L.B. program at BHU is approximately ₹3,850, while B.Sc. (Hons.) programs may reach ₹4,400.

In contrast, private participating universities might have a CUET PG Fees Structure 2026 that exceeds ₹1,00,000 per annum for specialized programs like MBA or MCA. Students must evaluate these costs during the CUET PG Registration phase to ensure their selected institutions align with their financial capacity. Furthermore, some universities add “Miscellaneous Charges” for student unions or medical insurance, which are often overlooked during the initial budgeting for CUET PG Admission & Counselling 2026.

Financial Aid and Scholarships to Offset CUET PG Costs

To mitigate the impact of the CUET PG Fees Structure 2026, various government and university-level scholarships are available. The Central Sector Scholarship Scheme is a major initiative targeting SC, ST, and EWS students admitted to central universities. These schemes can provide significant discounts or reimbursements on both the application fees and the subsequent admission costs.

Beyond central schemes, the University Grants Commission (UGC) offers merit-based and gender-specific scholarships. Students should actively search for these opportunities during the CUET PG Admission & Counselling 2026 period, as most applications for financial aid require proof of admission. State-level scholarships also play a vital role, especially for students who choose participating colleges within their home domicile, often providing a full waiver of tuition fees for high-achieving candidates.

Contrarian Perspective: The Hidden Costs of a “Standardized” Fee

A common belief is that the CUET PG Fees Structure 2026 makes postgraduate education uniformly affordable. However, this perspective often ignores the cumulative cost of “subject-stacking.” While the base fee covers three subjects, many students apply for five or more papers to maximize their admission chances across different streams. For a General category student, applying for six subjects would cost ₹2,200 (₹1,000 base + ₹1,200 for three additional subjects).

This financial burden is further compounded during the CUET PG Admission & Counselling 2026 phase. If a student applies to ten different universities’ counseling portals, they could easily spend another ₹3,000 to ₹5,000 in non-refundable counseling fees alone. To mitigate this, students should use their predicted scores to narrow down their university choices early, rather than applying to every possible institution in the CUET PG Registration list. This focused approach prevents “fee fatigue” and ensures resources are reserved for the actual admission installment.

Practical Application: Calculating Your Total Budget for 2026

Consider a practical scenario: a student from the OBC-NCL category intends to apply for MSc Physics, MSc Mathematics, and an MA in Education. Their initial CUET PG Registration cost would be ₹900. If they decide to add an MBA (General) as a backup, their fee increases by ₹375, totaling ₹1,275 for the application phase.

Following the exam, if they qualify for the CUET PG Admission & Counselling 2026 at three different central universities, they should budget approximately ₹1,500 for counseling registrations (averaging ₹500 per portal). Finally, if admitted to a central university like the University of Hyderabad, they must be prepared to pay an admission fee of roughly ₹8,000 to ₹12,000 for the first semester. Thus, a realistic total budget for the entire CUET PG 2026 journey—from registration to enrollment—would be approximately ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 for a central university track.

Future Trends in CUET PG Financial Modeling

The CUET PG Fees Structure 2026 reflects a growing trend toward digital-first, self-sustaining educational models. As more private and deemed universities join the CUET ecosystem, we expect to see “Integrated Fee Portals” where a single counseling fee might cover multiple private institutions. This would significantly reduce the financial friction currently experienced during CUET PG Admission & Counselling 2026.

Additionally, the NTA is increasingly focusing on transparency. The CUET PG Registration portal now provides a “Fee Calculator” tool that allows candidates to see their total cost in real-time based on their category and subject count. As the competition for postgraduate seats intensifies, these financial tools and the availability of diverse scholarship programs will be essential for maintaining equitable access to the top universities across India.

For further details and notifications go to the official NTA website by clicking here.