The CUET Economics / Business Economics syllabus 2026 is designed to assess a student’s understanding of fundamental economic concepts, analytical skills, and application of theory to real-world situations. Economics is a key domain subject for students seeking admission into undergraduate programmes such as B.A. Economics, B.Com, BBA, B.Sc. Economics, and related courses through CUET UG.
The syllabus focuses on both theoretical understanding and analytical reasoning, largely aligned with the senior secondary curriculum.
CUET Syllabus for Economics / Business Economics 2026
Course I: Introductory Microeconomics
Unit I: Introduction, Theory of Consumer Behaviour
What is microeconomics?
Central problems of an economy
Consumer’s Equilibrium: meaning and attainment of equilibrium through Utility Approach: one and two commodity cases, consumer’s budget and optimal choice of the consumer
Demand:
Market demand
Determinants of demand
Demand schedule
Demand curve
Movement along and shifts in the demand curve
Price elasticity of demand
Measurement of price elasticity of demand – percentage, total expenditure
Factors determining price elasticity of demand for a good
Unit II: Production and Costs
Production function: Short run and long run production function
Shapes of TP, MP and AP curves
Cost and Revenue:
Concepts of costs
Short-run cost curves (fixed and variable costs; total, average and marginal costs)
Concepts of revenue – total, average and marginal revenue and their relationship
Producer’s equilibrium – with the help of MC and MR
Unit III: The Theory of the Firm Under Perfect Competition
Features of perfect competition
Profit maximization
Price determination under perfect competition:
Equilibrium price
Effects of shifts in demand and supply
Supply:
Market supply
Determinants of supply
Supply schedule
Supply curve
Movement along and shifts in supply curve
Price elasticity of supply
Measurement of price elasticity of supply
Unit IV: Market Equilibrium and Simple Applications
Market equilibrium
Excess demand
Excess supply
Applications:
Price ceiling
Price flooring
Course II: Introductory Macroeconomics
Unit I: Introduction and National Income Accounting
What is macroeconomics?
Basic concepts in macroeconomics:
Circular flow of income
Methods of calculating National Income:
Value Added or Product method
Expenditure method
Income method
Aggregates related to National Income:
Factor Cost
Basic Prices
Market Price
GDP and Welfare
Unit II: Money and Banking
Meaning and functions of money
Supply of money:
Money creation
Money multiplier
Central bank and its functions (example: Reserve Bank of India)
Policy tools to control money supply
Unit III: Determination of Income and Employment
Aggregate demand and its components
Determination of income in two sector model
Problems of:
Excess demand
Deficient demand
Measures to correct them:
Changes in government spending
Taxes
Money supply
Multiplier mechanism
Unit IV: Government Budget and the Economy
Government budget – meaning, objectives and components
Classification of receipts:
Revenue receipts
Capital receipts
Classification of expenditure:
Revenue expenditure
Capital expenditure
Balanced, surplus and deficit budget
Measures of government deficit
Unit V: Open Economy Macroeconomics
Balance of payments account – meaning and components
Balance of payments – surplus and deficit
Foreign exchange rate:
Meaning of fixed and flexible rates
Managed floating
Merits and demerits of exchange rate regimes
Determination of exchange rate
Course III: Indian Economic Development
Unit I: Development Policies and Experience (1947–90)
State of Indian economy on the eve of independence
Indian economic system and common goals of Five Year Plans
Main features, problems and policies of:
Agriculture (institutional aspects and new agricultural strategy)
Industry (IPR 1956; SSI – role and importance)
Foreign trade
Unit II: Economic Reforms since 1991
Meaning of macroeconomics (as listed)
Economic reforms since 1991:
Features and appraisal of liberalisation, globalisation and privatisation (LPG policy)
Unit III: Current Challenges Facing the Indian Economy
Human capital formation:
How people become resource
Role of human capital in economic development
Growth of education sector in India
Rural development:
Credit and marketing
Role of cooperatives
Agricultural market system
Agriculture diversification
Alternative farming – organic farming
Employment:
Growth and changes in workforce participation rate
Formal and informal sectors
Problems and policies
Environment and sustainable development:
Definition and functions
State of India’s environment
Strategies for sustainable development
Unit IV: Development Experiences of India – A Comparison with Neighbours
Comparison with neighbours
Issues:
Economic growth
Population
Sectoral development
Other human development indicators
Development strategies
CUET Economics / Business Economics Exam Overview 2026
Below is an overview of the CUET UG Economics / Business Economics examination:
Exam Name: Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG)
Subject: Economics / Business Economics
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: Senior secondary level
Focus Areas: Microeconomics, macroeconomics, and Indian economic development
The paper tests a student’s conceptual clarity, analytical thinking, and numerical understanding.
CUET Economics / Business Economics Preparation Strategy
Use the following preparation tips to score well in Economics:
Understand Core Concepts: Focus on clarity in micro and macroeconomic theories.
Practice Diagrams & Numericals: Graphs, equations, and numerical problems are important.
Relate Theory to Real Life: Link economic concepts with current economic scenarios.
Revise Definitions & Terms: Many questions are definition-based.
Attempt Mock Tests: CUET-style mocks help with speed and accuracy.
Best Books for CUET Economics / Business Economics 2026
NCERT textbooks should be your primary resource, supported by CUET-focused practice books.
Recommended Books
Book Name
Author / Publisher
Why It’s Useful
NCERT Microeconomics Class 12
NCERT
Builds strong fundamentals in core microeconomic concepts
NCERT Macroeconomics Class 12
NCERT
Covers national income, macro theory, and policy basics
NCERT Indian Economic Development
NCERT
Essential for understanding Indian economy and development issues
CUET UG Economics Guide
Oswaal
MCQ-based practice, CUET pattern questions, and mock tests
Economics Question Bank
Arihant
Chapter-wise practice for effective revision
Tip: Focus more on conceptual understanding than memorisation.
Topics to Refer for CUET Economics / Business Economics
Students should prioritise the following important topics:
Demand and elasticity
Consumer behaviour
Producer behaviour and supply
Market structures
National income accounting
Money and banking
Government budget and fiscal policy
Balance of payments
Indian economic development
Basic statistical tools (where applicable)
These topics are frequently tested and conceptually significant.
Conclusion
The CUET Economics / Business Economics syllabus 2026 is analytical and concept-driven. With a strong focus on NCERT textbooks, regular numerical and diagram practice, and CUET-style mock tests, students can score well in this subject.
Economics is a high-scoring subject for students who prepare with clarity and consistency.
FAQs CUET Economics / Business Economics 2026
Q1. Is CUET Economics syllabus based on Class 12 NCERT?
Q2. Are numericals asked in CUET Economics?
Q3. Is Indian Economic Development included in CUET?
Q4. Are diagrams important for CUET Economics?
Q5. How much time is required to prepare for CUET Economics?
.svg)
