The CUET UG 2026 toppers list is now live on the official National Testing Agency portal. On June 23, 2026, NTA declared undergraduate entrance results for the Common University Entrance Test and released category-wise and subject-wise performance highlights alongside the names and application numbers of the highest scorers. For lakhs of Class 12 students aiming at Delhi University, central universities, and other participating institutions, this announcement marks the shift from waiting for scores to planning admissions, cut-offs, and Collegepreferences.
If you appeared for CUET UG this year, the toppers list is useful even if your name is not on it. It shows how competitive the exam was, which subjects saw perfect scores, and how NTA calculates aggregate performance across five papers. This guide explains who topped CUET UG 2026, where to download the list, how rankings are prepared, and what you should do next.
CUET UG 2026 Results and Toppers List: Key Highlights
NTA conducted CUET (UG) 2026 for admission to undergraduate programmes at central universities and other participating institutions. The examination covered 37 subject papers offered in 13 languages, with tests held across 321 cities in India and abroad.
According to official data released with the results:
- 15,68,867 unique candidates registered for CUET UG 2026.
- 11,64,098 candidates appeared for the examination.
- The exam was conducted from May 11 to May 31, 2026, with a few sessions rescheduled to June 6 and 7, 2026.
- The final answer key was published on June 21, 2026.
- Results and the toppers list were announced on June 23, 2026 at cuet.nta.nic.in.
The highest aggregate NTA score in five subjects stood at 1232.19. NTA also reported that one candidate achieved a 100 percentile in four out of five subjects attempted. Additionally, 22 candidates scored 100 percentile in three subjects, 180 candidates in two subjects, and 3,214 candidates in one subject—underscoring how strong performance at the subject level can coexist with wide variation in overall aggregates.
Who Is CUET UG 2026 AIR 1? Meet the Top Performers
The candidate with the highest aggregate NTA score across five subjects is widely referred to as the AIR 1 holder in CUET UG 2026. Based on the official top-20 list and media reports tied to NTA data, Devina Gahlot from Delhi (NCT) secured the top position with an aggregate score of 1232.19.
She is followed closely by Saksham Goel from Delhi, who scored 1230.82, and Udit Chaturvedi from Himachal Pradesh, with 1207.21. The narrow gap between the first two ranks shows how demanding high-level CUET preparation has become, where even small differences in percentile-linked NTA scores can change overall standing.
CUET UG 2026 Top 20 Candidates by Aggregate NTA Score
NTA published the list of candidates securing the highest aggregate NTA score in five subjects. The table below combines official application numbers with widely reported candidate names and states for easier reading. Always cross-check details on the official PDF.
| Rank | Candidate Name | Application Number | Aggregate NTA Score | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Devina Gahlot | 263510269243 | 1232.19 | Delhi (NCT) |
| 2 | Saksham Goel | 263510280526 | 1230.82 | Delhi (NCT) |
| 3 | Udit Chaturvedi | 263510250636 | 1207.21 | Himachal Pradesh |
| 4 | Shreyansh Mishra | 263510857590 | 1205.96 | Bihar |
| 5 | Khushi Sablok | 263510690773 | 1203.78 | Uttar Pradesh |
| 6 | Jayati Chhaparia | 263510166320 | 1202.15 | Uttar Pradesh |
| 7 | Anumit Khatri | 263510282507 | 1201.71 | Delhi (NCT) |
| 8 | Inaaya Mittal | 263510435802 | 1197.54 | — |
| 9 | — | 263510364596 | 1188.97 | — |
| 10 | Aadi Shukla | 263510097074 | 1188.03 | Rajasthan |
| 11 | — | 263510169655 | 1186.56 | Rajasthan |
| 12 | — | 263511025556 | 1186.30 | Madhya Pradesh |
| 13 | Shatakshi Mishra | 263510642106 | 1184.34 | Bihar |
| 14 | — | 263510957952 | 1182.74 | — |
| 15 | — | 263510169135 | 1182.02 | — |
| 16 | — | 263510150578 | 1181.18 | Rajasthan |
| 17 | Jayesh Gupta | 263510036813 | 1181.13 | Delhi (NCT) |
| 18 | — | 263510540260 | 1180.91 | Kerala |
| 19 | — | 263510165473 | 1180.10 | Rajasthan |
| 20 | Aarav Kumar | 263510531257 | 1177.65 | West Bengal |
Actionable tip: Save a screenshot of your scorecard and note your percentile in each subject. University cut-offs are often programme-specific and may consider only three or four subjects, not your full five-paper aggregate.
Gender-Wise Top Performers in CUET UG 2026
NTA also released gender-wise lists of the top 10 candidates based on aggregate NTA score in five subjects. This helps students understand representation at the highest score bands without treating CUET as a single universal rank for all admissions.
- Top female aggregate score: 1232.19 (Application No. 263510269243)
- Top male aggregate score: 1230.82 (Application No. 263510280526)
- Among female candidates, the next highest reported aggregates were 1203.78 and 1202.15.
- Among male candidates, the next highest reported aggregates were 1207.21 and 1205.96.
These figures reflect NTA’s five-subject aggregation method and should not be confused with category-wise reservation benefits during university seat allocation, which follow separate counselling rules.
How NTA Prepares the CUET UG Toppers List
Understanding the ranking logic helps you interpret the toppers list correctly and set realistic admission targets.
What Is the Aggregate NTA Score?
For the toppers list, NTA considers the aggregate NTA score across five subjects a candidate appeared in. Each CUET UG subject is marked out of 250 marks, but the displayed NTA score is normalized using NTA’s percentile-based scoring system rather than raw marks alone. That is why topper aggregates such as 1232.19 are presented up to two decimal places.
Example: A student may score extremely high in English, Economics, and Business Studies but slightly lower in General Test. Their aggregate still depends on all five chosen papers, which is why subject selection strategy matters as much as preparation intensity.
Where Is the Official Toppers PDF Available?
NTA typically hosts performance reports and topper details under the Public Notice or Announcements section on the CUET portal. The document includes:
- Application numbers of top-performing candidates
- Aggregate and subject-wise NTA scores
- Subject-wise registration and appearance statistics
- Category-wise and gender-wise performance summaries
Individual scorecards, meanwhile, are available only through the candidate login using application number and password.
Subject-Wise Highest Scores in CUET UG 2026
Subject-wise statistics reveal which papers saw near-perfect performance and which had relatively lower top scores—valuable information for future aspirants choosing domain subjects.
Subjects With Perfect or Near-Perfect Top Scores
According to NTA’s subject-wise data for CUET UG 2026:
- Perfect 250.00 NTA score was achieved in History, Accountancy/Book Keeping, Psychology, Sanskrit, and Odia.
- 249 marks and above at the top level were recorded in Biology, Economics/Business Economics, Business Studies, Political Science, and Geography/Geology.
Popular Subjects: Registration vs Top Scores
The most attempted papers often differ from the ones with the highest peaks. Below is a simplified view of major subjects:
| Subject | Registered | Appeared | Highest NTA Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 12,64,153 | 9,14,653 | 244.04 |
| Chemistry | 9,51,707 | 6,77,609 | 248.68 |
| General Aptitude Test | 9,15,039 | 6,75,419 | 212.65 |
| Physics | 9,14,649 | 6,47,076 | 241.23 |
| Mathematics/Applied Mathematics | 5,79,990 | 4,01,527 | 242.40 |
| Biology | 5,56,445 | 4,02,844 | 249.70 |
| Economics | 2,48,892 | 1,95,583 | 249.54 |
| Accountancy | 2,11,998 | 1,66,127 | 250.00 |
| History | 1,22,847 | 97,513 | 250.00 |
Key takeaway: English and science papers dominate registration numbers, yet humanities and commerce subjects produced some of the highest absolute NTA scores in 2026. Students should pick subjects based on board strength and programme requirements, not merely on which paper looks easier at the top.
How to Check CUET UG 2026 Toppers List Online
Follow these steps to access the official toppers list and your personal scorecard without relying on unofficial screenshots or third-party PDFs.
- Open the official website: cuet.nta.nic.in.
- For the toppers list PDF, go to the Public Notice or Latest Announcements section on the homepage.
- Look for the notice titled along the lines of “Candidates securing highest NTA score in five subjects” or the CUET UG 2026 result bulletin.
- Download the PDF and search by application number if your score is near the top bracket.
- For individual results, click CUET (UG) – 2026 Scorecard or the candidate login link.
- Enter your application number and password/date of birth as prompted.
- Download and print your scorecard for counselling and college applications.
Important: Use only the official NTA domain. Phishing pages often appear after result day with fake “rank cards” or paid download links.
Does CUET UG Rank Decide Your College Admission?
This is one of the most common misconceptions among first-time CUET aspirants and parents.
University Cut-Offs vs NTA Toppers List
The NTA toppers list reflects examination performance. It is not the same as Delhi University’s admission rank list or a centralised counselling rank for all participating universities. Each university—and often each programme—sets cut-offs based on:
- NTA score or percentile in specific subjects required for that course
- Category (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwBD)
- Seat intake and applicant pool for that college
- Any additional eligibility criteria such as board marks in some cases
Example: A student ranked outside the top 20 nationally may still secure a preferred BA (Hons) seat if their subject combination matches the programme cut-off closely. Conversely, a high aggregate across five subjects does not guarantee a specific college if that college considers only three papers.
What Top Scorers Usually Do Next
High scorers typically:
- Shortlist programmes across DU, BHU, JNU-linked courses, central universities, and state universities accepting CUET scores
- Track previous year cut-offs for realistic preference ordering
- Keep board certificates, category certificates, and identity documents ready
- Monitor individual university registration portals alongside the central CUET ecosystem
What If You Are Not on the CUET UG Toppers List?
Only a tiny fraction of the 11.64 lakh candidates who appeared will appear on the national top-20 list. Most successful admissions happen well below that score band.
Practical Steps After Results
- Compare your subject percentiles with last year’s cut-offs for your target course.
- Apply broadly: Include central universities, state universities, and private institutions accepting CUET scores.
- Build a tiered preference list: Dream, realistic, and safe options based on data—not guesswork.
- Explore alternate pathways: Diploma programmes, integrated courses, or specialised vocational institutes may align better with your career goals.
Not every successful career path runs through a central university BA or BSc programme. Students interested in aviation, hospitality, and customer-facing service sectors sometimes pursue focused training institutes while others continue with traditional degrees. For instance, learners exploring cabin crew and hospitality careers in Rajasthan may research specialised options such as the Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training in Sikar alongside their CUET-based university plans.
Planning for CUET PG Later?
Undergraduate students who wish to continue through the national testing framework for postgraduate admissions should begin understanding eligibility and paper patterns early. The postgraduate counterpart follows a separate schedule and syllabus, detailed on the CUET PG exam page. Strong UG subject fundamentals often make PG preparation smoother, regardless of whether you topped CUET UG.
CUET UG 2026 Toppers List: Expert Tips for Aspirants and Parents
Based on exam trends visible in the 2026 results, these strategies remain relevant for future batches:
- Choose subjects strategically: Align CUET papers with your intended BA, BCom, BSc, or integrated programme requirements.
- Do not ignore the General Test: The General Aptitude Test had a lower top score relative to domain subjects, suggesting many students under-prepare for it despite wide acceptance by universities.
- Focus on consistency across five papers: The toppers list rewards balanced excellence, not one spectacular subject alone.
- Use official answer keys: NTA’s final key release before results helps you estimate scores calmly and spot discrepancies early.
- Track official notices only: Result-day misinformation spreads quickly on social media; rely on cuet.nta.nic.in.
Conclusion
The CUET UG 2026 toppers list confirms another highly competitive year for India’s common undergraduate entrance exam, with Devina Gahlot leading the national chart at an aggregate NTA score of 1232.19 and strong performances from candidates across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and other states. Whether you topped the country, scored in a comfortable admission band, or fell short of expectations, the next phase belongs to informed counselling, accurate documentation, and flexible college planning.
Download your scorecard from the official portal, study subject-wise cut-off trends for your preferred programmes, and keep checking university admission schedules. The toppers list celebrates exceptional achievement—but for most students, CUET success is measured by securing the right seat in the right course, not by national rank alone.
