CUET PwD Provisions 2026: Complete Guide to Eligibility, Scribe Facility, Extra Time & Cutoffs

Introduction

The National Testing Agency (NTA) provides specific provisions for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) candidates appearing for CUET UG. These provisions ensure equal opportunity and a smooth examination experience for candidates with disabilities. This guide covers everything from eligibility and documentation to scribe facility, extra time, and previous year cutoffs to help you prepare effectively.

Eligibility Criteria for CUET PwD Provisions

To be eligible for PwD provisions in CUET UG 2026, a candidate must have a benchmark disability of 40% or more, certified by a competent medical authority. Disabilities recognized under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 include blindness or low vision, locomotor disability, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, and other benchmark disabilities.

Even if your disability is below the 40% benchmark, you may still be eligible for a scribe and compensatory time — but only if you have a certificate from a Chief Medical Officer or Civil Surgeon stating that you have a physical limitation to write.

Required Documents for PwD Candidates

PwD candidates must carry the following documents on the day of the examination:

• PwD / PwBD certificate issued by a competent authority
• UDID (Unique Disability ID) card, if available

Certificates issued after 1 June 2021 must follow the latest government guidelines and be generated through the UDID Portal. Candidates are advised to report early at the examination centre to complete verification procedures smoothly.

Reservation Policy for PwD Candidates

Central Universities provide a 5% horizontal reservation for PwBD candidates. This means the 5% quota is applied across all categories (General, SC, ST, OBC, EWS) rather than as a separate vertical category.

Only candidates with a minimum of 40% benchmark disability are eligible for this reservation. A valid PwBD certificate is mandatory — temporary disability certificates are not valid for claiming reservation benefits.

Scribe Facility for PwD Candidates

PwD candidates who have difficulty writing due to physical limitations may use a scribe (writer) during the examination. Key rules include:

• The candidate must have selected the scribe option during the online application process
• The disability must be certified by a CMO / Civil Surgeon / Medical Superintendent of a government hospital
• The scribe will assist the candidate in writing the exam as per instructions

Candidates can bring their own scribe or request an NTA-provided scribe at the exam centre. The scribe’s qualification must be one step below that of the candidate. NTA opened the scribe-details window in May 2026.

Compensatory (Extra) Time

All eligible PwD candidates are granted 20 minutes of compensatory time for every hour of the examination. Since each CUET paper is 60 minutes long, eligible PwBD candidates effectively get 80 minutes to complete a paper that others finish in 60.

This extra time is provided regardless of whether the candidate uses a scribe or not. For a 90-minute exam, additional time is provided accordingly.

Exam Day Guidelines for PwD Candidates

PwD candidates should follow these important instructions on exam day:

• Carry all required documents including admit card, disability certificate, and ID proof
• Ensure that the scribe option was selected during application if required
• Report to the exam centre early for verification
• Follow all exam centre instructions provided by NTA officials

Failure to provide valid disability documentation may prevent candidates from availing special facilities. Wheelchair-accessible centres are available on request.

CUET PwD Cutoffs: Previous Year Trends

CUET does not have a single national cutoff. Each university and college releases its own category-wise cutoff lists. PwD cutoffs are typically significantly lower than General category cutoffs.

Hansraj College (Delhi University) — 2025 Cutoffs (1st Round)

Source: Hansraj College CUET UG 2025 1st Round Cutoff

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) — 2024 Cutoffs (Percentile)

Source: CUET UG cut off 2024 for JNU

Other Previous Year Cutoffs

• Central University of Himachal Pradesh — B.Sc (Hons) Physics PwD cutoff 2022: 327.25
• Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies — BMS PwBD cutoff: 353.44
• Central University of Gujarat — PwD cutoff 2022: 277.8

Key Takeaways for PwD Candidates

• Eligibility: 40%+ benchmark disability with valid UDID/certificate
• Reservation: 5% horizontal reservation across all categories
• Scribe: Available for eligible candidates — register during application
• Extra Time: 20 minutes per hour (80 min for a 60-min paper)
• Cutoffs: PwD cutoffs are significantly lower than General — check target university websites for official lists

Always refer to the official NTA website (cuet.nta.nic.in) and the latest Information Bulletin for the most current guidelines.