The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced a significant update to the exam center selection process for the Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate (CUET PG) 2026. In a public notice dated 19 December 2025, the NTA stated that candidates will now be permitted to select up to four examination city choices within their state of permanent or present residence.
Why Has NTA Introduced This Four-City Choice System?
The introduction of the four exam city choice system for CUET PG 2026 is a direct response to feedback from students and aims to balance administrative efficiency with candidate convenience. While recent changes for exams like JEE and NEET linked center allocation to Aadhaar addresses to prevent misuse, the CUET PG approach offers controlled flexibility.
Key objectives behind this update:
- Enhanced Candidate Convenience: Students can now prioritize multiple cities within their home state, reducing travel stress and allowing them to choose locations closer to their current residence, college, or family.
- Managed Flexibility: By limiting choices to cities within the candidate’s state, NTA ensures logistical feasibility while giving students more options than a single assigned center.
- Reduced Last-Minute Hardship: The option to select multiple preferences decreases the chance of being assigned a distant or inconvenient center, especially important for a high-stakes national exam.
- Alignment with CUET’s Diverse Candidate Pool: PG aspirants often include working professionals or students living away from their permanent address for study or work. This system accommodates their practical needs.
How Will the Four City Choice System Work?
According to the notice, candidates can select up to four examination city choices subject to availability. The choices must be within the state corresponding to their permanent or present residential address.
- For New Applicants: Candidates filling out the CUET PG 2026 application form (open till 14 January 2026) will find the option to select their city preferences during the form-filling process.
- For Already Registered Candidates: Students who have already submitted their forms will be given a special opportunity to exercise or update their additional examination city choices during the Correction Window from 18 January to 20 January 2026.
Step-by-Step Guide to Selecting Your Exam Cities
When applying or correcting your form, follow these steps for a smooth process:
- Verify Your Residential State: Confirm the state of your permanent or current residence as per your official documents.
- Research Available Cities: Check the list of 292 exam cities (including 16 abroad) provided by NTA for CUET PG 2026. Identify all cities within your eligible state.
- Prioritize Convenience: List your four preferences in order of priority. Consider:
- Proximity to your current location.
- Ease of travel and accommodation availability.
- Familiarity with the city.
- Submit During Application/Correction: Carefully enter your prioritized choices in the relevant section of the online form.
- Final Allocation: NTA will allot one center based on your preferences, subject to availability. You will not be able to change the allotted city afterward.
Check official announcement here
What Does This Mean for CUET PG 2026 Aspirants?
This update is a positive development for postgraduate aspirants. It empowers you with a degree of choice while maintaining the integrity of the allocation system. It is particularly beneficial for:
- Students in University Towns: Those studying in a city different from their hometown within the same state.
- Candidates in Large States: Those in states with many test centers (e.g., Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan) can choose cities closest to their specific district or region.
- All Applicants: Reduces anxiety related to potentially being assigned a remote or hard-to-reach center.
Important Points to Remember
- Correction Window is Key: If you’ve already applied, do not miss the 18-20 January 2026 window to add/modify your city choices.
- Choices are State-Bound: You cannot select cities outside your residential state.
- No Guarantee of First Choice: Allocation is based on availability-always list preferences wisely.
- Document Consistency: While this rule is specific to city choice, ensure other details in your application match your supporting documents (academic records, category certificates, etc.).
Also Read: SSC JE Answer Key 2025 Out, Download Tier 1 Response Sheet PDF
The NTA’s decision to allow four exam city choices for CUET PG 2026 is a welcome step that prioritizes student convenience within a structured framework. Aspirants should use this opportunity thoughtfully to select locations that will enable them to appear for the exam in March 2026 with minimal logistical hassle.
With the registration deadline of 14 January 2026 approaching, candidates are advised to complete their forms promptly and mark their calendars for the subsequent correction window to optimize their exam city preferences.
Also Read: IBPS RRB PO Recruitment 2025 for 5272 Officers Prelims Result OUT, Direct Link Here
FAQs
Q1. Is the four-city choice rule applicable to all NTA exams?
A1. As of now, this specific provision has been announced for CUET PG 2026. Rules for JEE, NEET, and CUET-UG may differ.
Q2. I live in Delhi. Can I choose one city in Delhi and three in Uttar Pradesh?
A2. No. Your choices must be within the state of your residence. If your address is in Delhi, all four preferred cities must be in Delhi-NCR (as per the available city list).
Q3. What if none of my four chosen cities are available?
A3. NTA will then assign you the nearest available exam center within your state.
Q4. Can I change my selected cities after the correction window closes?
A4. No. The choices made during the application or correction window will be final.
Q5. Does my Aadhaar address still matter for CUET PG 2026?
A5. Your residential address (permanent or present) as declared in the form will determine the state within which you can choose cities. Ensure your form details are accurate.
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