New Delhi, May 15, 2025 – The much-awaited CUET UG 2025 exam got under way smoothly on Wednesday, bringing a collective sigh of relief to thousands of students across India. Parents waited anxiously outside exam centres, ready with water bottles and comforting smiles as candidates emerged, some exhausted but most visibly hopeful about their performance.
A clear highlight of Day 1 was the English paper, which students largely found refreshingly straightforward. “I braced myself for inferential and tricky passages,” said one Delhi candidate, “but the questions were direct, almost like revision exercises.” Many finished well before time, describing the paper as an encouraging confidence booster at the start of this multi-day test.
Behind the upbeat chatter about English, reactions to domain subjects were more varied. Business Studies drew compliments for its clear, syllabus-based questions, while Physical Education tested even the best-prepared with its detailed recall requirements. “It’s my sixth subject,” admitted Sushil Rajeevan, “and even though the MCQs helped, juggling that many papers in a day truly stretched my stamina.”
Unfortunately, not everyone got that chance. At a centre in Noida Sector 62, several aspirants arrived just minutes late and were turned away. Traffic snarls, misdirected autos, and buses running behind schedule left students and parents pleading at the gates. Seventeen-year-old Anmol Bhati travelled from Bulandshahr at dawn only to find himself at the wrong entrance—and out of luck.
Complicating matters for some was the sometimes distant centre allotment. Candidates from Etah and Bahadurgarh, among others, found themselves journeying far beyond their chosen locales. Many are now urging NTA to refine its allocation process and show leniency in future sessions for those affected by uncontrollable delays.
Technically, the first day was almost flawless. After previous years’ computer glitches and server crashes, Day 1 of CUET UG 2025 ran without any major IT hiccups, especially in the busy hubs of Delhi NCR. Students appreciated the smooth check-in and proctoring, though they still hope for clearer communication if unexpected delays occur.
As the exam moves forward, participants can select up to six domain subjects, two languages, and an optional general test—each paper lasting a rigorous sixty minutes. With the easier-than-expected English paper behind them, many candidates are now turning their focus to tougher subjects in the coming days.
“This first paper was a confidence win,” said one aspirant, “but the real challenge will be staying consistent.” With several critical domain exams still on the calendar, students are settling into focused revision routines, determined to maintain their momentum through the rest of CUET UG 2025