CUET Computer Science Syllabus 2026: Topics, Exam Pattern & Guide

Introduction

The CUET Computer Science / Information Practices syllabus 2026 is designed to assess a student’s understanding of computational thinking, programming fundamentals, data handling, and basic computer systems. This subject is important for students seeking admission into undergraduate programmes such as B.Sc. Computer Science, BCA, Data Science, Information Technology, and related fields through CUET UG.

The syllabus is primarily aligned with the Class 12 Computer Science and Information Practices curriculum, focusing on both theory and application-based learning.

CUET Syllabus for Computer Science / Information Practices 2026

1: Database Concepts

• Introduction to database concepts, difference between database and file system, relational data model: concept of domain, tuple, relation, keys - candidate key, primary key, alternate key, foreign key.
• Relational algebra: selection, projection, union, set difference and cartesian product.

2: Structured Query Language – I

• Advantages of using Structured Query Language, Data Definition Language, Data Query Language and Data Manipulation Language, Introduction to MySQL, creating a database using MySQL, Data Types
• Data Definition: CREATE TABLE, DROP TABLE, ALTER TABLE
• Data Query: SELECT, FROM, WHERE
• Data Manipulation: INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE
• Math functions: POWER (), ROUND (), MOD ()
• Text functions: UCASE () / UPPER (), LCASE () / LOWER (), MID () / SUBSTRING () / SUBSTR (), LENGTH (), LEFT (), RIGHT (), INSTR (), LTRIM (), RTRIM (), TRIM ()

3: Structured Query Language – II

• Date Functions: NOW (), DATE (), MONTH (), MONTHNAME (), YEAR (), DAY (), DAYNAME ()
• Aggregate Functions: MAX (), MIN (), AVG (), SUM (), COUNT (), using COUNT (*)
• Querying and manipulating data using Group by, Having, Order by
• Operations on Relations - Union, Intersection, Minus, Cartesian Product, JOIN

4: Computer Networks

• Introduction to computer networks, Evolution of networking
• Network types: LAN, WAN, MAN
• Network devices: Modem, Ethernet Card, Repeater, Hub, Switch, Router, Gateway
• Network Topologies: Mesh, Ring, Bus, Star, and Tree topologies
• Basic concept of MAC and IP Address difference between Internet and web

Section B1: Computer Science

1: Exception and File Handling in Python

Exception Handling

• syntax errors, exceptions, need of exception handling, user defined exceptions, raising exceptions, handling exceptions, catching exceptions, Try - except - else clause, Try - finally clause, recovering and continuing with finally, built in exception classes

File Handling

• text file and binary file, file types, open and close files, reading and writing text files, reading and writing binary files using pickle module, file access modes
• Setting Offsets in a File

2: Stack

• Stack (List Implementation): Introduction to stack (LIFO Operations), operations on stack (PUSH and POP) and its implementation in python
• Expressions in Prefix, Infix and postfix notations
• evaluating arithmetic (Postfix) expressions using stack
• conversion of Infix expression to postfix expression

3: Queue

• Queue (List Implementation): Introduction to Queue (FIFO), Operations on Queue (INSERT and DELETE) and its implementation in Python
• Introduction to Deque and its implementation in Python

4: Searching

• Searching: Sequential search, Binary search, Analysis of Sequential and Binary Search
• Dry run to identify best, worst and average cases
• Implementation of searching techniques in Python
• Hashing: Hash Functions, Collision Resolution

5: Sorting

• Overview of sorting techniques, Bubble Sort, Selection Sort and Insertion Sort
• Dry run to identify best, worst and average cases
• Implementation of sorting techniques in Python

6: Understanding Data

• Data and its purpose, collection and organization
• understanding data using statistical methods: mean, median, mode (Measures of central tendency)
• (Measures of Variability) range, standard deviation, variance
• data interpretation

7: Database Concepts

• Introduction to database concepts, difference between database and file system, relational data model: concept of domain, tuple, relation, keys - candidate key, primary key, alternate key, foreign key
• Relational algebra: selection, projection, union, set difference and cartesian product

8: Structured Query Language

• Advantages of using Structured Query Language, Data Definition Language, Data Query Language and Data Manipulation Language, Introduction to MySQL, creating a database using MySQL, Data Types and constraints in MySQL
• Data Definition: CREATE TABLE, DROP TABLE, ALTER TABLE
• Data Query: SELECT, FROM, WHERE
• Data Manipulation: INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE
• Math functions: POWER (), ROUND (), MOD ()
• Text functions: UCASE () / UPPER (), LCASE () / LOWER (), MID () / SUBSTRING () / SUBSTR (), LENGTH (), LEFT (), RIGHT (), INSTR (), LTRIM (), RTRIM (), TRIM ()
• Date Functions: NOW (), DATE (), MONTH (), MONTHNAME (), YEAR (), DAY (), DAYNAME ()
• Aggregate Functions: MAX (), MIN (), AVG (), SUM (), COUNT (), using COUNT (*)
• Querying and manipulating data using Group by, Having, Order by
• Operations on Relations - Union, Intersection, Minus, Cartesian Product, JOIN

9: Computer Networks

• Introduction to computer networks, Evolution of networking
• Network types: LAN, WAN, MAN
• Network devices: Modem, Ethernet Card, Repeater, Hub, Switch, Router, Gateway
• Network Topologies: Mesh, Ring, Bus, Star, and Tree topologies
• Basic concept of MAC and IP Address
• Difference between Internet and web
• Domain Name System

10: Data Communication

• Concept of communication, Types of Data Communication, switching techniques
• Communication Media: Wired Technologies – Twisted pair cable, Co-axial cable, Ethernet Cable, Optical Fibre
• Introduction to mobile telecommunication technologies
• Wireless Technologies – Bluetooth, WLAN, Infrared, Microwave
• Network Protocol: Need for Protocol, Categorization and Examples of protocol, HTTP, FTP, IP, PPP; electronic mail protocol
• Concept of Channel, Bandwidth (Hz, KHz, MHz) and Data Transfer rate (bps, Kbps, Mbps, Gbps, Tbps)

11: Security Aspects

• Threats and prevention: Viruses, Worms, Trojan horse, Spam, Cookies, Adware, Firewall, http vs https
• Network Security Concepts: Firewall, Cookies, Hackers and Crackers
• Antivirus and their workings
• Network security threats: Denial of service, Intrusion problems, Snooping, Eavesdropping

Section B2: Informatics Practices

1: Database Query using SQL

• Math functions: POWER (), ROUND (), MOD ()
• Text functions: UCASE () / UPPER (), LCASE () / LOWER (), MID () / SUBSTRING () / SUBSTR (), LENGTH (), LEFT (), RIGHT (), INSTR (), LTRIM (), RTRIM (), TRIM ()
• Date Functions: NOW (), DATE (), MONTH (), MONTHNAME (), YEAR (), DAY (), DAYNAME ()
• Aggregate Functions: MAX (), MIN (), AVG (), SUM (), COUNT (), using COUNT (*)
• Querying and manipulating data using Group by, Having, Order by
• Operations on Relations - Union, Intersection, Minus, Cartesian Product, JOIN

2: Data Handling using Pandas – I

• Introduction to Python libraries-Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib
• Data structures in Pandas - Series and DataFrames

Series

• Creation of Series from – and array, dictionary, scalar value
• mathematical operations
• Head and Tail functions
• Selection, Indexing, and Slicing

DataFrames

• creation - from dictionary of Series, list of dictionaries, Text/CSV files
• display; iteration
• Operations on Rows and columns: add, select, delete, rename
• Head and Tail functions
• Indexing using Labels, Boolean Indexing
• Styling & Formatting data
• Joining, Merging and Concatenations
• Importing/Exporting Data between CSV files and DataFrames

3: Data Handling using Pandas – II

• Descriptive Statistics: max, min, count, sum, mean, median, mode, quartile, Standard deviation, variance
• DataFrame operations: Aggregation, group by, Sorting, Deleting and Renaming Index, Pivoting
• Handling missing values – dropping and filling
• Importing/Exporting Data between MySQL database and Pandas

4: Plotting Data using Matplotlib

• Purpose of plotting
• drawing and saving t h e following types of plots using Matplotlib – line plot, bargraph, histogram, pie chart, frequency polygon, box plot, and scatter plot
• Customizing plots: color, style (dashed, dotted), width
• adding label, title, and legend in plots

5: Introduction to Computer Networks

• Introduction to Networks, Types of networks: LAN, MAN, WAN
• Network Devices: modem, hub, switch, repeater, router, gateway
• Network Topologies: Star, Bus, Tree, Mesh
• Introduction to Internet, URL, WWW, and its applications- Web, email, Chat, VoIP

Website

• Introduction
• the difference between a website and webpage
• static vs dynamic web page
• webserver, and hosting of a website

Web Browsers

• Introduction
• commonly used browsers
• browser settings
• add-ons and plug-ins
• cookies

6: Societal Impacts

• Digital footprint
• Etiquettes for Net surfing and for communicating through social media
• data protection
• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and their violation
• plagiarism licensing and copyrights
• Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS)
• creative commons
• Cybercrime and cyber laws
• hacking, phishing, cyberbullying
• Overview of Indian IT Act, preventing cybercrime
• E-waste: Hazards and management
• Awareness about health concerns related to the usage of technology-like effect on eyesight, physiological issues, and ergonomic aspects

7: Project Based Learning

• Approaches for Solving Projects
• Steps in project-based learning
• Teamwork
• Components of Teamwork

CUET Computer Science / Information Practices Exam Overview 2026

Below is an overview of the CUET UG Computer Science / Information Practices examination:

• Exam Name: Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG)
• Subject: Computer Science / Information Practices
• Conducting Authority: National Testing Agency (NTA)
• Exam Level: Undergraduate
• Mode of Examination: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
• Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Medium of Paper: Multiple languages
• Syllabus Level: Class 12
• Focus Areas: Programming, data structures, databases, and computer systems

The paper evaluates a student’s logical thinking, programming understanding, and data-handling skills.

CUET Computer Science / Information Practices Preparation Strategy

Follow these preparation tips to score well in this subject:

• Strengthen Programming Basics: Focus on Python fundamentals, syntax, and logic building.
• Practice Code-Based MCQs: Many questions test output prediction and logic interpretation.
• Understand Databases Clearly: SQL queries and data handling concepts are important.
• Revise Theory Concepts: Networking, cybersecurity, and system basics should not be ignored.
• Attempt Mock Tests: Regular practice improves accuracy and time management.

Best Books for CUET Computer Science / Information Practices 2026

NCERT textbooks should be your primary resource, supported by CUET-focused practice material.

Recommended Books

Tip: Focus more on logic and application rather than memorising code.

Topics to Refer for CUET Computer Science / Information Practices

Students should prioritise the following topics:

• Python programming basics
• Data types and operators
• Conditional statements and loops
• Functions and modular programming
• Data structures (lists, tuples, dictionaries)
• Database concepts and SQL queries
• Computer networks
• Cybersecurity and data protection
• Basics of data handling and file operations

These topics are frequently tested and conceptually important.

Conclusion

The CUET Computer Science / Information Practices syllabus 2026 focuses on testing programming logic, conceptual understanding, and data-handling skills. With strong fundamentals, regular practice, and CUET-style mock tests, students can score well in this subject.

Computer Science / Information Practices is a high-scoring subject for students with good logical and analytical skills.

FAQs CUET Computer Science / Information Practices 2026