Candidates in the General category who want to get into top-tier universities like DU and BHU should expect the CUET PG Life-Sciences Cut Off 2026 to be between 160 and 240 marks. The NTA announces the raw scores, but each participating university quickly releases category-specific cutoffs based on the number of seats available, the number of applicants, and the difficulty of the exam.
What you need to know about the CUET PG Life-Sciences Cut Off 2026
The CUET PG Life-Sciences Cut Off 2026 is the lowest cutoff or score that a candidate must get in order to get a seat in a certain postgraduate program at one of the 142 institutions that are taking part. For very competitive Life Sciences programs, where there are often more than 10,000 applicants for fewer than 100 seats, cutoffs can go up a lot, sometimes 35% to 50% above the basic qualifying marks. After the National Testing Agency (NTA) announces the scores, each university releases its own set of benchmarks. These benchmarks are not set in stone.
The total number of test-takers, which was about 460,000 in previous cycles, and the difficulty of the domain-specific questions are two things that directly affect these numbers. The test uses a marking system of +4 for right answers and -1 for wrong ones, so accuracy is just as important as the total number of attempts for meeting these high-demand cutoffs. Candidates should check their individual university portals for round-wise lists because scores usually go down by 3 to 8 marks in later counselling rounds.
Expected CUET PG Life-Sciences Cut Off 2026 Marks by Category
The expected CUET PG Life-Sciences Cut Off 2026 is very different for each social group. This is because of the reservation policies of central and state institutions. A good score for top colleges in the General (UR) category is thought to be between 220 and 250 out of 300. For OBC candidates, cutoffs are usually between 180 and 200, which is a 5% to 15% relaxation from the general merit list, depending on how many people want to take the course.
| Category | Expected Cutoff Range (Out of 300) |
| General (UR) | 160 – 240+ |
| OBC (NCL) | 150 – 235+ |
| SC | 140 – 185 |
| ST | 135 – 175 |
| EWS | 190 – 210 |
These numbers are based on trends from the previous year and how hard we think the 2026 session will be. It is important to remember that “qualifying marks” (usually 50% for General) only make a candidate eligible for consideration. The “admission cutoff,” on the other hand, is usually 30 to 80 marks higher for top-tier Life Science programs.
List of the best universities and the scores you need to get in
There are more than 200 colleges and universities on the CUET PG Life-Sciences Cut Off 2026 list. These are divided into central, state, deemed, and private colleges and universities. The University of Delhi (DU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) are at the top of the list for Life Sciences. They are known for their great research facilities and high return on investment (ROI). Because of different seat intakes and regional demand, each of these schools has its own set of scoring requirements.
| University | Location | Notable Life Science Courses | Approx. Annual Fees |
| BHU | Varanasi, UP | Biochemistry, Zoology, Botany | ₹10,000 – ₹50,000 |
| DU | Delhi | Life Sciences, Environmental Sciences | ₹20,000 – ₹60,000 |
| JNU | Delhi | Biotechnology, Environmental Science | ₹15,000 – ₹55,000 |
| TISS | Mumbai | Life Sciences, Biostatistics | ₹50,000 – ₹1,50,000 |
| GGSIPU | Delhi | Biotechnology, Environmental Science | ₹35,000 – ₹60,000 |
JNU is still one of the most competitive schools, with cutoffs often based on a different scale or only a little bit of relaxation between rounds because there aren’t many seats available. The same is expected in the CUET PG Life-Sciences Cut Off 2026. On the other hand, private colleges like Amity and Sharda have modern facilities and connections to businesses, but they cost more, usually between ₹1,00,000 and ₹3,00,000 a year.
A detailed process for choosing students for admissions through the CUET PG Life-Sciences Cut Off 2026
The process for getting into the M.Sc. Life Sciences program through CUET PG 2026 has many steps with the help of CUET PG Life-Sciences Cut Off 2026 . It starts with an entrance exam and ends with university-specific counselling. Candidates do not get a centralized seat allotment after the NTA releases the scorecards (which are expected to happen in May 2026). Instead, they must apply to each target university separately. After that, each school makes its own merit list using the CUET scores and the preferences that the applicants gave.
During the counselling phase, which usually happens between June and July 2026, candidates go through multiple rounds of document verification and seat allocation. Keep in mind that some specialized programs may need more than just the CUET score, like extra interviews or practical tests. Accurate “choice filling” and timely registration on the portals of participating institutes are very important for success in the selection process.
Requirements for M.Sc. Life Sciences
Tobe eligible or be able apply for CUET PG Life-Sciences Cut Off 2026, a candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific field, like Biology, Biotechnology, or Zoology. Most central universities need General category students to have at least 50% of the total marks in their undergraduate degree. Reserved categories students, on the other hand, only need 45% of the total marks.
In general, there is no upper age limit for taking the CUET PG exam. However, some universities may have their own age limits for certain postgraduate courses. You need a valid CUET PG 2026 scorecard to complete the verification process for the CUET PG Life-Sciences Cut Off 2026 eligibility. Candidates must also make sure they have their final year mark sheets or provisional certificates ready, as these are needed to prove their eligibility in the last round of admissions.
Important Papers for Counselling and Admission after CUET PG Life-Sciences Cut Off 2026
To check the candidate’s academic and social standing, the counselling process needs a full set of documents. If you don’t bring any of these, you could lose your seat right away.
- The CUET PG 2026 Scorecard: It is the main document that shows how well you did on the entrance test.
- Academic Transcripts: Your grades and certificates for Class 10, Class 12, and Graduation.
- Proof of identity: a government-issued ID like a passport, Aadhar Card, or Voter ID.
- Category Certificates: If you are applying under a reservation, you need to have a valid SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD certificate.
- Transfer/Migration Certificate: This is needed for students who are moving from one university to another.
- Photos: Recent passport-sized photos that follow the rules of the college.
A critical point of view: The “Safe Score” Mistake
A lot of people who want to get in make the mistake of thinking that the “previous year’s cutoff” is a sure way to get in. Cutoffs in the Life Sciences field change a lot because new fields like Bioinformatics and Food Technology are always popping up. This can change what applicants are interested in and raise scores for more traditional courses.
Also, the normalization process used for different exam shifts can lead to a situation where two candidates with the same raw score end up with different percentiles and admission results. If you only focus on a “General” score target and don’t take into account the specific university’s seat-to-applicant ratio, you could be turned down even if you have a high score. To lessen the effects of tougher tests and more competition, candidates should aim for at least 20–30 points higher than the closing score from the previous year.
Application in Real Life: Figuring Out Your Chances of Getting In
You need to look at the university-specific merit list in the CUET PG Life-Sciences Cut Off 2026 instead of just the overall rank to get a realistic idea of your chances. For instance, if you get a 210 in the General category, you might have a good chance at the University of Hyderabad (Expected Cutoff: 195–215) but not so much at BHU (Expected Cutoff: 210–230).
Scenario Analysis:
Candidate A (Score 235): Very likely to get a seat in the first round for M.Sc. Life Sciences at DU or JNU in the expected CUET PG Life-Sciences Cut Off 2026 .
Candidate B (Score 195): Should focus on state universities like GGSIPU or newer central universities like CUSB (Bihar), where cutoffs are usually lower in the expected CUET PG Life-Sciences Cut Off 2026 .
Candidate C (Score 175, SC Category): Because of the category relaxation, there is a good chance that they will be accepted into top central universities like DU or BHU in the expected CUET PG Life-Sciences Cut Off 2026 .
It’s important to keep an eye on the trends between “Round 1” and “Final Round.” in the CUET PG Life-Sciences Cut Off 2026. If you are within 5 to 10 marks of the first-round cutoff, it is smart to stay in the counselling process for the next rounds because spots often open up when students transfer to other schools.
Stay updated with the latest news regarding the CUET PG Life-Sciences Cut off 2026 by regularly visiting the Official NTA Website.
Also for further more updates, and learning matter to help you out in preparation of the CUET PG 2026 Life-Sciences Exam for Syllabus, Revision Strategy and Important topics click here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I challenge the CUET PG 2026 answer key?
Yes. NTA releases a provisional answer key in April 2026. Candidates can challenge it by paying a non-refundable fee of INR 200 per question and providing supporting documents. The final result is prepared based on the revised answer key.
Why do cutoffs differ significantly between DU and JNU?
Cutoffs vary due to seat intake and program demand. JNU often has fewer seats than DU, leading to higher competition and minimal score relaxation between rounds. Additionally, some universities calculate scores differently or have specific regional quotas.
How much lower is the OBC cutoff compared to the General category?
In CUET PG, the OBC cutoff is generally 5% to 15% lower than the General category. In marks, this often translates to a gap of 10–15 marks for high-demand courses like M.Sc. Physics, Chemistry, or Life Sciences.
What happens if I miss the university counseling registration deadline?
If you fail to register on a university’s portal within the specified dates, you will not be considered for admission at that institution, regardless of your CUET score. Missing the deadline usually means forfeiting your seat in the merit-based allotment for that year
How do I check the round-wise cutoff for a specific university?
You must visit the official website of the target university (e.g., DU or BHU) and navigate to their PG Admission or Counseling section. Universities release PDFs or interactive lists showing the opening and closing marks for each category and round.
Can I apply to multiple universities using one CUET PG score?
Yes. A single CUET PG 2026 score can be used to apply to any of the 142+ participating universities. However, you must fulfill the specific eligibility criteria for each university and apply to their individual counseling portals separately.
How do I participate in the CUET PG 2026 Selection Process?
The selection process begins with the entrance exam in March 2026, followed by the result declaration in May. Candidates must then register separately on the official portals of their chosen universities for the counseling process, which typically starts in June–July 2026.
Which universities are part of the CUET PG 2026 university list for Life Sciences?
Over 200 universities participate, including top central universities like DU, BHU, JNU, and AMU, as well as state, private, and deemed universities like TISS and Amity University. These institutions offer diverse specializations including Biotechnology, Botany, and Microbiology.
Is there a difference between qualifying marks and admission cutoffs?
Yes. Qualifying marks are the minimum scores (usually 50% for General, 45% for Reserved) required to be eligible for the admission process. Admission cutoffs are the actual scores at which the last seat is filled, often 30 to 80 marks higher than the qualifying threshold.
