CUET 2025 Passing Marks for Gen, OBC, SC: Cutoff Explained

Every year, lakhs of students appear for the CUET UG exam, all with the same goal, to get into a top university like DU, BHU, JMI, or other Central/State universities. But one of the most confusing things about CUET is figuring out the minimum marks you need to actually qualify or get admission.

What is the actual amount required to score? Does it rely on the university, your course, or your category? Furthermore, what constitutes a "safe score" for pupils who are General, OBC, SC, or ST?

This article will provide a thorough breakdown of everything, taking into account past trends, anticipated competition, and the typical cutoff times used by colleges.

---

Do CUET Passing Marks Even Exist?

First of all, CUET UG does not have an official "passing mark." The National Testing Agency (NTA) does not establish a passing or failing score. Rather, upon the announcement of results, each university establishes its own cutoff based on:

Demand for the course

The quantity of candidates

Exam level of difficulty

Policies for reservations

Technically speaking, you cannot fail the CUET, but you will not be admitted if your score is insufficient for the course or university you wish to attend.

---

Expected Safe Scores for CUET UG 2025

Here’s a quick look at the safe score ranges you should aim for in CUET 2025, based on your category:

Note that these are not the official deadlines. They are based on the competition in 2025 and previous years.

---

Which Is More Important, the Raw Score or the percentages?

The majority of universities employ percentile scores rather than raw marks to determine cutoffs, particularly Delhi University (DU) and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI).

Percentiles usually search for the best UG programs as follows:

Therefore, a higher percentage point can still get you admitted, even if your raw score is a little low, especially in less competitive schools.

---

How Do Universities Decide CUET Cutoffs?

Every college publishes its own merit list or cutoff list following the release of the CUET results. The majority look at percentile rankings, however some may use raw scores.

The following elements affect the setting of cutoffs:

1. Popularity of the Course

Due to their high demand, courses with higher cutoffs include psychology, BBA, B.Com. Hons., and BA English (Hons).

2. The quantity of applicants

Higher cutoffs result from stronger competition caused by more students applying.

3. Exam Level of Difficulty

To equitably adjust scores across various exam shifts and sessions, NTA employs a normalization technique.

4. Reservation & Category

According to government regulations, cutoffs are typically loosened for reserved categories (OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD).

---

Category-Wise Strategy for CUET 2025

Here's a quick guide to help you decide what goals to pursue this year:

General Category: For prestigious universities like SRCC, Hindu, and Hansraj (DU), aim for a score of 700 or higher out of 1000. For mid-level courses, even 650+ can be sufficient.

OBC/EWS: For well-liked programs in particular, a score of 550–600+ is excellent. Other programs typically require 400+.

SC/ST: You may be eligible with a score between 350 and 450, however the higher your score, the more options you'll have, particularly if you wish to attend a Tier 1 university.

PwD: Depending on the subject and university, a score of 300–400 can still be sufficient.

---

Final Thoughts

There isn't a single "passing score" for CUET UG 2025. Everything is dependent upon:

Your category

1. To which university are you applying?
2. Which course do you wish to take?
3. The number of students that apply for a single seat

The greatest strategy is to strive high in order to surpass the cutoffs for your ideal college, not merely to pass the CUET.

Don't depend just on the minimal required scores. A high score opens up more possibilities, better colleges, and better courses, even if you fall into a reserved category.

Thus, continue honing your skills, pay attention to your stronger subjects, and take mock exams seriously. All that is required of you is consistency; perfection is not necessary.