To secure a CUET UG 2026 score, candidates must appear in five subjects selected from a total of 37 available options. However, selecting these five subjects commonly referred to as the subject combination or subject matrix is considered the most challenging part of the process. This challenge becomes even more significant for students who plan to change their academic stream at the graduation level.

Let us understand whether students who have completed Class 12 with a Science background can pursue a BA Honours degree in a different discipline at the undergraduate level. We also examine which CUET UG 2026 subjects such students need to choose if they intend to switch streams for graduation.

Is it possible to change your stream after Class 12?

Can students change their stream at the undergraduate level after completing Class 12? To clarify this, Tv9 Bharatvarsh Digital spoke to Dr. R.K. Gupta, Principal of PG DAV College (Evening), affiliated with Delhi University. According to him, changing streams after Class 12 is allowed. Science and Commerce students can seek admission to BA Honours programmes, and similarly, Arts students can apply for Commerce courses such as B.Com Honours.

However, Dr. Gupta emphasized that selecting the correct subject combination in CUET UG is extremely important for students planning to switch streams. For this purpose, candidates must carefully refer to the subject matrix released every year by the respective universities.

Which CUET UG subjects are required when changing streams?

While changing streams after Class 12 for undergraduate admission is permitted, the process has become highly complex after the introduction of CUET UG. With CUET UG in place, admissions are entirely merit-based, and this merit is calculated using the scores of the five subjects selected for the CUET UG examination. As a result, choosing the right set of five subjects becomes a critical task for students aiming to change their academic stream.

To better understand the applicable rules, Tv9 Bharatvarsh Digital again consulted Dr. R.K. Gupta, Principal of PG DAV College (Evening), Delhi University. He explained that admission to Humanities courses is possible for students from both Commerce and Science backgrounds. In such cases, the merit based on the five CUET UG subjects does not play a decisive role. He added that when students change streams, the subjects studied in Class 12 and those pursued at the undergraduate level are different, which makes the admission process more complicated.

Dr. Gupta further stated that for students who switch streams after Class 12, merit is determined through the General Aptitude Test (GAT). These candidates are required to appear for the GAT. Additionally, they may opt to take CUET UG with one language paper and two core subjects.