CUET English Syllabus 2026- List of Important Units And Topics

Overview: Get 250/250 in the CUET English exam with a comprehensive grasp of the syllabus. From reading comprehension to vocabulary, the CUET English syllabus 2026 has you covered!

CUET is a significant entrance test to various undergraduate programs at central, state, private and deemed universities in India.  

As you prepare for this major examination, thoroughly comprehending the English CUET syllabus becomes important. 

In this article, we will examine the detailed components of the CUET syllabus for English, which covers a wide range of topics, such as reading comprehension, verbal aptitude, word selection, sentence restructuring, identification of synonyms and antonyms, and vocabulary. 

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Understanding the CUET English Syllabus 2026

English, classified as Section I under the language section, is an important component in the CUET 2026 exam.

• The English exam is worth 250 marks. 
• The test paper is for 60 minutes.
• There will be 50 questions; all of them are compulsory to attempt.

CUET 2026 English Syllabus PDF Free Download Link

Click on the button below to download the pdf for CUET English exam: 

English Syllabus PDF for CUET 2026

The difficulty level of topics included in the CUET UG English syllabus are:

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY	2025	2024	2023	2022
Easy	75-80%	75-80%	80-85%	85-90%
Moderate	5-10%	5-10%	5-10%	5-10%
Difficult	5-10%	5-10%	5%	-

CUET English Exam Pattern 2026 (English 101)

Particular	Details
Paper Name	English (101)
Type of Questions	MCQ (Objective)
Total Questions	50 (All questions are compulsory)
Duration	60 Minutes
Total Marks	250
Marking Scheme	+5 for correct, -1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted
Mode	CBT (Computer Based Test)

CUET English Syllabus Topics 2026

There will be one question paper with 50 questions, out of which all 50 need to be attempted.

1 - Reading Comprehension

According to the CUET English syllabus PDF, there will be three types of passages (maximum 300 words):

• Factual
• Narrative
• Literary

This section of the English syllabus assesses your ability to understand a variety of readings.

Check: CUET Subject List

2 - Verbal Ability

Questions may include (but are not limited to):

• Rearranging the parts (para jumbles / sentence ordering)
• Match the following
• Choosing the correct word
• Synonyms and Antonyms

Note: As per the CUET(UG) language test description, English also checks literary aptitude and vocabulary along with comprehension.

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3 - Choosing the correct word

• This section of the English syllabus for CUET evaluates your ability to select the most appropriate word to complete a sentence.
• The questions may present multiple choices, and you need to choose the word that best fits the context of the sentence.
• This tests your vocabulary, understanding of nuances in word meanings, and ability to apply them accurately.

Check: CUET Cut Off

4 - Rearranging the parts

• You will encounter jumbled sentences or paragraphs in this part of the CUET English syllabus.
• Your task is to rearrange the parts to form coherent and logically structured sentences or paragraphs.
• This section tests your understanding of sentence structure, logical flow, and coherence.

5 - Synonyms and antonyms

• The Synonyms and Antonyms in the CUET English syllabus tests your vocabulary depth.
• You'll be required to identify words that have the same or opposite meanings to the given word.
• This topic of English syllabus CUET helps measure your vocabulary range and ability to understand and distinguish between different shades of meaning in words.

6 - Vocabulary

• Vocabulary questions in the English CUET syllabus assess your understanding and usage of various words.
• This may include questions on word meanings, sentence usage, and recognition of correct word forms.
• A strong vocabulary is essential for understanding complex texts and expressing ideas clearly and effectively in English.
• Understanding these components is crucial for excelling in the CUET English exam, as they collectively test your comprehensive language skills.

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CUET UG English Syllabus Preparation Strategy 2026

The CUET English syllabus covers various topics, from passage comprehension to vocabulary enhancement.

You can excel in the CUET 2026 English section by developing a solid preparation strategy that includes careful planning, selecting the right resources, and consistent practice.

1. Focus on the important stuff: Identify high-weightage topics and prioritize them in your studies.
2. Master the complex: Take clear notes on tricky topics for easy revision later.
3. Practice makes perfect: Practise CUET mocks and previous year's CUET English papers to understand the exam pattern and question types.
4. Level up your vocabulary: Read quality newspapers like The Hindu or The Times of India.
5. Boost your language skills: Use flashcards and online videos to learn new words and synonyms, and improve overall usage and coverage of the syllabus of CUET English.
6. Revise, revise, revise!: Review your notes regularly of the CUET English language syllabus to retain information and ensure a clear understanding until exam day.

List of recommended books for CUET English Syllabus 2026

Click on the link below to learn the best books for studying the CUET exam English syllabus for the best CUET preparation: 

Best Books for CUET English Preparation

Understanding the CUET English Paper Marking Scheme 2026

English examination's CUET marking scheme is as follows: 

• MCQ structure: The CUET English Section is constructed in the form of multiple-choice questions. 
• Total number of questions: The segment encompasses a total of 50 questions, with a stipulated attempt of all 50 questions. 
• Correct response valuation: Each correct answer gives you five marks. 
• Incorrect answer penalty: An incorrect response incurs a penalty of -1 mark. 

In case of answer-key anomalies (official rules):

• If more than one option is correct → +5 is awarded only to candidates who marked any correct option.
• If none of the options is correct / question is wrong / question is dropped → +5 is awarded to all candidates, attempted or not.

How to Prepare for CUET English Syllabus 2026

• RC daily: Practice 2–3 passages/day (factual + literary + narrative) under time.
• Vocabulary: Learn 15–20 words/day and revise weekly (synonyms/antonyms + usage).
• Para jumbles: Do timed sets to build speed and accuracy.
• Mocks: Attempt full-length English mocks (50 Q / 60 min) and analyze your mistakes.

Read: How To Prepare Vocabulary for CUET 2026

Key Takeaways

With a thorough understanding of the CUET English syllabus, exam pattern, and marking scheme, you will be well-prepared to confidently tackle the CUET English segment, paving the way to your academic goals in India's top-ranked universities.

• CUET syllabus for English includes reading comprehension, verbal ability, word selection, sentence restructuring, synonyms, antonyms, and vocabulary.
• Understanding the English language CUET syllabus and CUET exam pattern is crucial.
• Allocate time wisely and engage in consistent practice.
• Enhance vocabulary and reading comprehension through regular reading.
• Marking scheme: +5 for correct answers, -1 for incorrect, and +5 for multiple correct options or dropped questions.

Check: CUET Courses