UP CNET 2026: Dates, Application, Admit Card, Exam Pattern & Counselling

Thinking about building a nursing career in Uttar Pradesh and unsure where to begin?  The Common Nursing Entrance Test (CNET), conducted by Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University (ABVMU), Lucknow, can be one of your choices to get admission to reputed nursing courses in the state. This exam tests your knowledge in essential nursing and science subjects, and plays an important role in your admission journey. 

This guide covers the UP CNET 2026 cycle for current aspirants, including key dates, the revised exam pattern, eligibility, syllabus, and counselling process.

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CNET 2026 Exam Overview 

The CNET 2026 exam notification was released by ABVMU on 28 March 2026 and registrations are open. Whether you're applying this cycle or planning for future attempts, it's crucial to understand the exam's structure, scoring pattern, and key milestones.

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CNET Exam Date 2026 and Important Timeline

With CNET 2026 registrations open until 20 May 2026, candidates must track every milestone – from form submission to admit card release on 30 May 2026 and the exam on 6 June 2026.

Being aware of these timelines ensures you don't miss any admission deadlines.

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UP CNET 2026 Syllabus

A clear understanding of the syllabus helps you prioritise topics and enhance your chances in both the exam and the counselling rounds. The UP CNET syllabus is tailored to assess candidates' knowledge for nursing studies and science fundamentals, with focus distributed across five subjects:

1. Nursing Aptitude

Fundamentals, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, First Aid, Emergency Care, Nutrition, Communication Skills, Nursing Ethics, Professionalism.

2. Physics

Units & Measurement, Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Thermodynamics, Optics, and more.

3. Chemistry

Atomic Structure, Periodic Table, Organic Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, etc.

4. Biology

Cell Structure, Physiology, Genetics, Ecology, and more.

5. English

Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, etc.

If you want to learn more about the official syllabus, check out the ABVMU website.

Curious about what you'll learn in nursing? Dive into the BSc Nursing syllabus semester-wise, explore top colleges, and discover the fees to plan your path to a rewarding nursing career.

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UP CNET 2026 Exam Pattern

Getting familiar with how the CNET 2026 exam is set up can make your practice sessions more focused and less stressful. With 120 questions across the syllabus and no negative marking, the UP CNET 2026 is designed to reward accuracy and steady pace.

Understanding the exam pattern ensures you can manage your time and focus on key subjects during preparation.

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UP CNET 2026 Test Centres

The CNET 2026 exam will be conducted in multiple cities across Uttar Pradesh for candidates' convenience. Test centres are spread statewide, allowing aspirants to choose up to three preferred cities during application.

The UP CNET 2026 exam cities include:

1. Western UP

Agra, Aligarh, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Saharanpur, Gautam Buddha Nagar

2. Central UP

Banda, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Jhansi

3. Eastern UP

Azamgarh, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Mirzapur, Basti, Gonda, Moradabad, Bareilly

The admit card will mention the assigned exam centre for each candidate. These allotments may change due to administrative reasons.

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CNET Application Form 2026

The application form for the UP Common Nursing Entrance Test (CNET) is the first essential step for those aspiring to join nursing courses under ABVMU, Lucknow. The application window for the 2026 cycle is open from 28 March 2026 to 20 May 2026 on the official ABVMU portal.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the CNET 2026 exam, candidates must meet the following criteria:

1. Nationality

Must be an Indian citizen.

2. Age Limit

The minimum age is 17 years as of December 31, 2026, and the maximum age limit is 35 years. Government norms allow age relaxation for candidates from reserved categories.

3. Educational Qualification

Candidates must have passed Class 12 (10+2) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB) taken together, and English as a compulsory subject.

• General and OBC candidates should have at least 50% aggregate marks in PCB.
• SC/ST candidates must have a minimum of 40% in PCB.

4. Domicile

For admission to government nursing colleges, candidates must be domiciled in Uttar Pradesh.

How to Apply?

1. Applications are accepted online only at the official CNET/ABVMU portal.
2. Register using a valid mobile number and email address to create a unique registration ID. You will receive an OTP for verification.
3. Enter personal information (name, date of birth, category), address details, and academic qualifications.
4. Select up to three preferred exam cities according to convenience.
5. Upload your photograph, signature, and other documents in the specified format.
6. Make the application fee payment digitally, which varies by category.
7. Review the complete form and submit. Download and save the confirmation page and payment receipt for future reference.

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted, so timely submission within the announced dates is critical.

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How to Download the CNET Admit Card 2026?

The CNET admit card is a mandatory document for entry to the exam hall, containing important details like your roll number, exam centre, and reporting time. The 2026 admit card will release on 30 May 2026 via abvmuup.edu.in. Follow these simple steps carefully to ensure you get your admit card without any issues.

1. Go to the official CNET or ABVMU admission portal. This is usually the same website where you applied for the exam.

2. On the homepage or in the latest announcements section, look for the link titled something like "Download Admit Card 2026", "UP CNET Admit Card", or "Hall Ticket Download".

3. Enter the required details when prompted to complete the verification process. Typically, you need to provide:

• Registration Number / Application Number (the number you received during the application)
• Date of Birth (in the format DD/MM/YYYY)

4. After filling in the details, press the Submit/Download Admit Card option.

5. After successful verification of your details, the admit card will appear on the screen.

• Check all details carefully (Name, Roll Number, Exam Centre, Date & Time, Instructions).
• Download the admit card PDF file to your device.

6. It's recommended to print at least two or three clear copies of the admit card. Carrying a printed copy to the exam centre is mandatory. Keep one copy safely as a backup.

Important Tips

• Download your admit card as soon as it is available (from 30 May 2026 for the 2026 cycle).
• Verify the exam centre address on the admit card and plan your travel accordingly.
• Bring your valid photo ID proof along with the admit card on exam day.
• Keep the admit card safe until the admission procedure is complete.

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UP CNET 2026 Results

The UP CNET 2026 result will be declared by Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University (ABVMU), Lucknow shortly after the 6 June 2026 exam. Applicants will be able to view and download their scorecards from the official ABVMU portal at abvmuup.edu.in.

Merit List & Tie-Breaking Rules

• The merit list is prepared based on entrance marks.
• In case of ties, inter-se-merit is determined by ABVMU's rules.
• Candidates involved in Unfair Means Practices (UMP) are disqualified and not declared in the results.

Minimum Qualifying Marks / Cutoff

To proceed to counselling for CNET 2026, candidates must meet the minimum qualifying percentile cutoffs based on their course and category. These cutoffs ensure only eligible candidates move forward in the admission process.

Qualifying for these marks is mandatory for counselling eligibility. Admission depends on ranks, seat availability, and the reservation policy.

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UP CNET Counselling 2026

The counselling for UP CNET 2026 is expected to begin in July 2026, after the result declaration. The counselling will be conducted in multiple rounds online on the official portal, allowing candidates to select and confirm their preferred nursing colleges based on rank and seat availability. In the 2025 cycle, out of 1.17 lakh BSc Nursing candidates, 71,178 qualified for counselling, indicating the typical level of competition.

Below are the key stages of the counselling process:

1. Registration on the Counselling Portal

Qualified candidates must register on the official counselling website using their CNET 2026 registration ID and password, verify details, upload documents, and pay a ₹500 registration fee plus a refundable ₹5,000 security deposit online. 

2. Document Verification

During registration, candidates should provide scanned copies of mandatory documents such as Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, domicile proof, and category certificates (if required). Original documents will need to be presented physically at the reporting stage to confirm authenticity.

3. Choice Filling and Locking

After registration, candidates must select their preferred nursing colleges and courses from the available options based on ABVMU's seat matrix. It's essential to lock these choices before the deadline.

4. Seat Allotment by Merit

Seat allocation is done based on the candidate's rank in the merit list, category reservation, and availability of seats in colleges. The seat allotment result is published on the official portal after each counselling round. Candidates can check their allotted seat details online and download the allotment letter.

5. Reporting to Allotted College

Once seats are allotted, candidates should visit the assigned college within the specified dates, carrying original documents and the allotment letter for completing admission.

6. Further Counselling Rounds

If candidates are not satisfied with their allotted seats or if seats remain vacant, further counselling rounds (Round 2 and mop-up) are conducted. Candidates must re-register and repeat choice filling, with the mop-up round held offline in Lucknow for final seat allocation.

To better understand what lies ahead after qualifying, check out our detailed guide on the BSc Nursing Course to explore program duration, admission criteria, and fee structure.

With the UP CNET 2026 application window open, the focus has shifted to form submission, document readiness, and exam preparation under Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University. Stay updated, organised, and proactive to make the most of every opportunity.

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