CUET Physics Syllabus 2026: Topics, Exam Pattern & Preparation Guide

Introduction

The CUET Physics syllabus 2026 is designed to assess a student’s understanding of fundamental physical laws, concepts, and their applications. Physics is a core domain subject for students seeking admission into undergraduate programmes such as B.Sc. Physics, Engineering-related courses, Technology, and Applied Sciences through CUET UG.

The syllabus focuses on conceptual clarity, numerical problem-solving, and analytical reasoning, and is closely aligned with the Class 12 curriculum.

CUET Syllabus for Physics 2026

Unit 1: Electrostatics

• Electric charges, Conservation of charge, Coulomb's law — force between two-point charges, forces between multiple charges; superposition principle and continuous charge distribution, electric dipole.
• Electric potential, potential difference, electric potential due to a point charge, a dipole and system of charges; equipotential surfaces, electrical potential energy of a system of two-point charges and of electric dipole in an electrostatic field.
• Electric field, electric field lines, electric field due to a point charge, electric field due to a dipole, torque on a dipole in a uniform electric field.
• Electric flux, statement of Gauss's theorem and its applications to find field due to infinitely long straight wire, uniformly charged infinite plane sheet and uniformly charged thin spherical shell (field inside and outside).
• Conductors and insulators, free charges and bound charges inside a conductor. Dielectrics and electric polarization, capacitors and capacitance, combination of capacitors in series and in parallel, capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with and without dielectric medium between the plates, energy stored in a capacitor.

Unit 2: Current Electricity

• Electric current, flow of electric charges in a metallic conductor, drift velocity, mobility and their relation with electric current; Ohm's law, V-I characteristics (linear and non-linear), electrical energy and power, electrical resistivity and conductivity, temperature dependence of resistance, Internal resistance of a cell, potential difference and emf of a cell, combination of cells in series and in parallel.
• Kirchhoff's rules, Wheatstone bridge.

Unit 3: Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism

• Concept of magnetic field, Oersted's experiment. Biot–Savart law and its application to the current carrying circular loop.
• Ampere's law and its applications to infinitely long straight wire. The solenoid, force on a moving charge in uniform magnetic and electric fields.
• Force on a current-carrying conductor in a uniform magnetic field, force between two parallel current-carrying conductors — definition of ampere, current loop as a magnetic dipole and its magnetic dipole moment, torque experienced by a current loop in uniform magnetic field.
• Moving coil galvanometer — its current sensitivity and conversion to ammeter and voltmeter.
• Bar magnet, bar magnet as an equivalent solenoid, magnetic field lines, magnetic field intensity due to a magnetic dipole (bar magnet) along its axis and perpendicular to its axis, torque on a magnetic dipole (bar magnet) in a uniform magnetic field.
• Magnetic properties of materials — Para-, dia- and ferro-magnetic substances with examples, Magnetization of materials, effect of temperature on magnetic properties.

Unit 4: Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents

• Electromagnetic induction; Faraday's laws, induced emf and current; Lenz's Law, Self and mutual induction.
• Alternating currents, peak and rms value of alternating current/voltage; reactance and impedance; LCR series circuit, phasors, resonance, power in AC circuits, power factor, wattless current.
• AC generator, Transformer.

Unit 5: Electromagnetic Waves

• Concept of displacement current.
• Electromagnetic waves, their characteristics, and their transverse nature.
• Electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays) including elementary facts about their uses.

Unit 6: Optics

• Reflection of light, spherical mirrors, mirror formula, refraction of light, total internal reflection and optical fibers, refraction at spherical surfaces, lenses, thin lens formula, lens maker’s formula, magnification, power of a lens, combination of thin lenses in contact, refraction and dispersion of light through a prism.
• Optical instruments: Microscopes and astronomical telescopes (reflecting and refracting) and their magnifying powers.
• Wave front and Huygen’s principle, reflection and refraction of plane waves at a plane surface using wave fronts.
• Proof of laws of reflection and refraction using Huygen’s principle.
• Coherent sources and interference of light, Young's double slit experiment and expression for fringe width.
• Diffraction due to a single slit, width of central maxima.

Unit 7: Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation

• Matter waves — wave nature of particles, de-Broglie relation.
• Dual nature of radiation, Photoelectric effect, Hertz and Lenard's observations; Einstein's photoelectric equation — particle nature of light. Experimental study of photoelectric effect.

Unit 8: Atoms and Nuclei

• Alpha-particle scattering experiment; Rutherford's model of atom; Bohr model of hydrogen atom, Expression for radius of an orbit, velocity and energy of electron in an orbit, hydrogen line spectra (qualitative treatment only).
• Composition and size of nucleus, atomic number, atomic mass number, isotopes, isobars and isotones, nuclear force, Mass-energy relation, mass defect; binding energy per nucleon and its variation with mass number; nuclear fission, nuclear fusion.

Unit 9: Electronic Devices

• Energy bands in conductors, semiconductors and insulators (qualitative ideas only).
• Intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, p-type and n-type, p-n junction Semiconductor diode, its I-V characteristics in forward and reverse bias.
• Application of junction diode — diode as a rectifier.

CUET Physics Exam Overview 2026

Below is an overview of the CUET UG Physics examination:

• Exam Name: Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG)
• Subject: Physics
• 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: Mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, modern physics, and electronics

The paper evaluates a student’s conceptual understanding, numerical accuracy, and application of physical laws.

CUET Physics Preparation Strategy

Follow these preparation tips to score well in Physics:

• Strengthen Core Concepts: Understand formulas, derivations, and their applications.
• Practice Numericals Daily: Regular numerical practice is essential for speed and accuracy.
• Focus on High-Weightage Units: Modern Physics and Electrodynamics usually carry significant weight.
• Revise Formulae Regularly: Maintain a formula sheet for quick revision.
• Attempt Mock Tests: CUET-style mocks help improve time management.

Best Books for CUET Physics 2026

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

Recommended Books

Tip: Focus more on concept clarity + numerical practice than memorising formulas.

Topics to Refer for CUET Physics

Students should prioritise the following important topics:

• Electrostatics
• Current electricity
• Magnetic effects of current
• Electromagnetic induction
• Alternating current
• Ray optics and wave optics
• Dual nature of radiation and matter
• Atoms and nuclei
• Semiconductor electronics
• Communication systems (basic)

These topics are frequently tested and carry significant weight.

Conclusion

The CUET Physics syllabus 2026 is concept-driven and analytical. With a strong grasp of fundamentals, regular numerical practice, and consistent mock testing, students can perform well in this subject.

Physics is a high-scoring subject for students who maintain accuracy, clarity, and consistent practice.

FAQs CUET Physics 2026