The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) was first conducted by the National Testing Agency in 2022. It has rapidly transformed India's higher education landscape in just a few years. Initially adopted by Central Universities, CUET's impact has grown exponentially. In 2024, approximately 14 lakh students took an average of 5 subjects each, totaling 70 lakh tests, thereby making it the largest standardized testing event in the country.
CUET's influence continues to expand, with over 260 universities accepting its admissions scores across various undergraduate programs, including BA, BSc, B.Com, and even Engineering. This number is projected to reach 500+ universities shortly. CUET’s reach may grow and become a preliminary exam for prestigious exams like JEE and NEET. This is evident by a recent interview with UGC Chairman Prof. Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, who indicated the possibility of merging JEE Main with CUET within the next 5-7 years.
While CUET has already achieved significant milestones, it remains a test in the making. Full implementation of its broad vision is expected to take several years and it is likely that 45-60 lakh students will participate in CUET once it reaches its full potential.
However, it is worth mentioning that early results are promising for CUET, particularly in terms of improving educational equity. In 2024, students from Bihar State Board and vernacular schools secured admissions to prestigious Delhi University colleges in unprecedented numbers, which demonstrates CUET's potential to level the playing field.
The introduction and rapid adoption of CUET signal a clear shift in Indian education towards reform, standardization, and inclusivity. As it continues to evolve, CUET is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping a more holistic, equitable, and quality-driven education system across India.
Historically, schools have been primarily judged based on their students' performance in board examinations. However, with the advent of CUET, this conventional yardstick is on the verge of transformation. The future is poised to shift focus from board exam results to schools' effectiveness in facilitating their students' admission into top colleges.
The challenge and, indeed, the opportunity lies in navigating this transition seamlessly. The CUET brings a unique set of demands, necessitating a strategic and well-informed approach to preparation. There is a substantial overlap between the content and skills assessed in board exams and CUET, which calls for an integrated approach to preparation.
Over the years, the Class XII Board marks have been losing their luster in Engineering and Medical course admissions. Now, with the rise of CUET, there is an imminent threat that marks in Class XII Boards will further lose their relevance, as students from commerce and humanities will give more importance to external CUET coaching than preparing exclusively for Board exams.
Currently, the landscape is marred by the prevalence of dummy admissions, where students, overwhelmed by the complexity of exams like JEE and NEET, resort to enrolling in “dummy schools,” sidelining regular school education. This trend currently is limited to around 2 lakh students aspiring for premier engineering and medical institutions. However, with the acceptance of CUET by many colleges, this number will further grow. This allows schools to challenge and potentially dismantle the dummy school concept.
The alignment of CUET and Board exams with the NCERT Class XII syllabus lays the groundwork for this integration. Schools now have the potential to evolve into a ‘One Stop Solution,’ seamlessly integrating CUET and Board exam preparation into their pedagogy. This proactive stance could significantly diminish the shift of students to dummy schools, preserving the integrity of school education and ensuring sustainable revenue.
Embracing this change, schools can increase their relevance, add unparalleled value to their offerings, and cultivate a learning environment that prepares students for the future. By incorporating CUET preparation into their curriculum, schools can eliminate the dependence on external coaching, potentially leading to increased school fees justified by the added value.
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, the educational ecosystem is poised for further change, with numerous engineering colleges already accepting CUET scores for admissions. Most colleges, barring the IITs and other elite institutions, are expected to follow suit within the next two years. There is even speculation, backed by statements from the UGC chairman, about the potential merger of JEE Main with CUET.
The introduction of CUET clearly indicates the direction in which Indian education is headed—towards reform, standardization, and inclusivity. It sets the stage for future reforms, paving the way for a more holistic, equitable, and quality-driven education system. As CUET continues to evolve and adapt, it has the potential to catalyze further changes in both school and higher education, ensuring that the Indian education system is ready to meet the demands of the future.
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