CUET 2026 Answer Key (20 May Shift 1): Question Paper Analysis, Difficulty Level & Topics Asked

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has concluded the CUET UG 2026 Shift 1 exam on May 20, held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across centres in India and abroad. Shift 1 ran from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and covered a wide range of subjects from the CUET UG 2026 syllabus, including English, Geography, Political Science, Business Studies, Accountancy, Economics, and the General Aptitude Test (GAT).

Students can check the detailed subject-wise paper analysis, answer key updates, and important topics asked right here. Based on early student feedback, Geography turned out to be the easiest paper of the shift, while Accountancy and Economics leaned moderate.

CUET UG 2026 May 20 Shift 1: Subject-Wise Difficulty Level

Here's the complete subject-wise difficulty breakdown for the CUET UG 2026 May 20 Shift 1 exam, based on early student feedback:

Subject	Difficulty Level
English	Easy to Moderate
Geography	Very Easy
Political Science	Easy to Moderate
Business Studies	Easy
Accountancy	Moderate
Economics	Moderate
General Aptitude Test (GAT)	Moderate

CUET UG 2026 May 20 Shift 1: English Paper Analysis

The English paper for May 20 Shift 1 was easy to moderate overall. The Reading Comprehension section was easy and based on a passage about Varanasi (3 questions). Here's the detailed breakdown:

English Important Topics

Topic	Details
Reading Comprehension	Passage on Varanasi — 3 questions, easy and direct
Vocabulary	Enervate (= Exhaust), Rescind (= Cancel), Gregarious, Arduous, Strenuous, Full of difficulties
Idioms	"Bring down the house"
Phrasal Verbs	"Stand by", "Stand out"
Synonyms & Antonyms	Multiple word-meaning questions

CUET UG 2026 May 20 Shift 1: Geography Paper Analysis

The Geography paper for May 20 Shift 1 was rated very easy by students. Here's the topic-wise breakdown:

Geography Important Topics

Topic Category	Important Topics Asked
Population & Demographics	Arranging countries/regions by population density, Stagnant population years, Highest decadal population growth year, First census conducted
Geography Concepts	Human Geography (sample definition), Chronological arrangement of Human Geography events
Transportation	National Waterways — Length-based Arrangement, Trans-Canadian Railway stations (arrange East to West), INSAT — usage
Industries	Footloose industry (correct statement), Primary Act (Match the Following), Secondary activities (direct question), Bauxite production
Mineral & Mining	Match the Following on Minerals, Niri & Min (AP-based question)
Government Schemes	Swarnim Chaturbhuj Yojana, Green Revolution
Ports & Land	Port-related question, Land area (arrange high to low)
Theories	Year of Thomas Malthus (population theory), Transhumance
Formulas	Match the Following — Agricultural Density, Population Density formulas
Case Study	2-source case study (answers from passage)

CUET UG 2026 May 20 Shift 1: Political Science Paper Analysis

The Political Science paper for May 20 Shift 1 was easy to moderate. Here's the breakdown:

Political Science Important Topics

Topic Category	Details
Shock Therapy	Direct definition-based question
Match the Following	6–8 questions on this format
Multiple Statement & Chronological	12–15 questions of this type
Passage-Based	Alternative Centres of Power — China; Challenges of Nation Building
Globalisation	Direct question
Four Modernisations of China	1973 — by Zhou-en-Lai (Agriculture, Industry, Army, Science & Tech)
Indian Constitution + Europe	Combined topic-based questions
State Formation Years	Arunachal Pradesh (1987), Andhra Pradesh (1 Oct 1953), Gujarat (1 May 1960), Nagaland

CUET UG 2026 May 20 Shift 1: Business Studies Paper Analysis

The Business Studies paper for May 20 Shift 1 was rated easy by most students. Here's the topic-wise breakdown:

Topic	Details
Arrange the Order	5–6 questions
Planning & Staffing	Direct theory questions
Financial Management	3–4 questions
Reading Comprehension	2 passages — (1) Directing, (2) Financial Market
Principles of Management	2–3 questions

CUET UG 2026 May 20 Shift 1: Accountancy Paper Analysis

The Accountancy paper for May 20 Shift 1 was moderate. Partnership Accounts carried the highest weightage. Here's what students faced:

Accountancy Important Topics

Topic	Details
Partnership	Highest weightage
Death of Partner	Direct numerical
Sacrificing & Gaining Ratio	Concept + numerical
Revaluation Account	Direct numerical
Share & Debenture	Featured prominently
Chronological Order	Match-based questions
Forfeiture of Shares	Direct question
Debenture	Theory + numerical

CUET UG 2026 May 20 Shift 1: Economics Paper Analysis

The Economics paper for May 20 Shift 1 was moderate. The paper had a strong tilt towards Microeconomics. Here's the detailed breakdown:

Economics Important Topics

Topic	Details
Arrange the Order	Frequent question format
Five Year Plans	Indian Economic Development
National Income	Calculation-based
Depreciation	Direct concept
Disposable Income	Formula-based
Marginal Product	Theory + numerical
Total Cost & Average Cost	Curve-based questions
Curve Concepts	TC, AC, MC curves
Elasticity	Demand & Supply elasticity

CUET UG 2026 May 20 Shift 1: General Aptitude Test (GAT) Analysis

The GAT paper was rated moderate, with around 15 Maths + 15 Reasoning + 18–20 GK questions as per student estimates.

GAT Section-Wise Breakdown

Section	No. of Questions	Difficulty
Mathematics	~15	Moderate
Reasoning	~15	Moderate
General Knowledge	18–20	Moderate to Tough

GAT Important Topics

Section	Topics Asked
Quantitative Aptitude	Speed-Time-Distance (relations), Permutation, Probability (Question Specific 4/B-based), Coordinate Geometry, Ration & Mixtures (5, 10, 20, 0), CI–SI (Compound & Simple Interest), Mensuration, Algebra (a, b, c), Profit, AP, Numbers System
Trigonometry	Direct application
Probability	Conditional probability and direct questions
General Knowledge	Static GK (higher weightage), Current Affairs 2024–2025

CUET UG Study Material 2026

CUET UG Study Material 2026
CUET Study Material 2026	Quantitative Aptitude
Numerical Aptitude Data Interpretation	Reasoning
Maths	General Knowledge
Biology	Physics
Chemistry	-