Kannada
The paper at a glance
Kannada carries the subject code 106. The syllabus described here is the one published for 2026-27.
This is one of the shortest syllabus documents NTA publishes. It is a language paper, so it describes skills rather than chapters, and it fits on a single page after the cover.
How the syllabus is organised
The specification is a numbered list in two skill areas — Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability. There are no units, no chapter names and no prescribed texts. The PDF is titled "Syllabus for Languages" and presents the subject as one row of a table with Code, Name and Specification columns, so the entire syllabus sits in a single cell on page 2.
The list opens with a deliberate caveat: questions will be from the following topics but are not limited to. Treat the headings below as the guaranteed core, not as the outer boundary.
The document is a topic list only. It does not print question counts, marks, negative marking or timing, and it does not say how many questions come from each skill area. Read it alongside the exam pattern.
Reading Comprehension
Two passages, each capped at a length the source states as a range, one of them factual or narrative and the other literary.
| Skill area | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | two types of passages (maximum 250-300 words): one Factual/Narrative, one Literary |
The syllabus does not say what kind of questions follow each passage, only what kind of passage to expect.
Verbal Ability
Four item types, listed without elaboration.
| Skill area | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability | Rearranging the parts, Match the following, Choosing the correct word, Synonyms and Antonyms |
"Rearranging the parts" is the source's own wording; it does not specify whether the parts are words in a sentence or sentences in a paragraph. "Match the following" and "Choosing the correct word" are likewise left undefined.
What this syllabus does not tell you
The document is a skill list and nothing more. From it you cannot learn:
- how many questions come from Reading Comprehension and how many from Verbal Ability, or the marks, negative marking and duration — those are on the exam pattern;
- the weightage of either skill area, so prepare both rather than ranking them;
- the level of the language expected, or whether the passages are drawn from known Kannada authors;
- any grammar syllabus — grammar is tested only as far as the four Verbal Ability item types imply;
- which books to use; the syllabus names no textbook or reading list;
- how much weight a university gives this paper once you qualify — the programmes that accept it are listed below, but the marks or ranking rule each one applies sits in its own admission bulletin.
For anything about attempt rules or numbers of questions, go to the NTA information bulletin and the exam pattern rather than to this list.
Where this paper can take you
Programmes whose rule can use Kannada, from the 19 universities whose documents we have read. None of them require it outright.
- Lovely Professional UniversityB Sc (IT) [2+2 with international credit transfer option] · B. Arch. · B.A. (Fine Arts) · and 89 more92always one route
- University of DelhiB.A. (Hons.) Political Science · B.A. (Programme) · B.A. (Hons.) Psychology · and 68 more71always one route
- Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar UniversityB.A. (Film Theatre & Media Studies) (Hons.) · B.A. (Hons.) — optional History, Sociology and English · B.A. (Hons.) Public Administration · and 24 more27always one route
- Bhattadev UniversityB.Sc. (Hons.) in Chemistry · B.Sc. (Hons.) in Zoology · B.Sc. (Hons.) in Botany · and 18 more21always one route
- North Lakhimpur UniversityB.Sc. Chemistry · B.Sc. Botany · B.A. History · and 18 more21always one route
- National Sanskrit University (previously Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth)B.A. (Honours) · B.Sc. Computers (BC) · B.Sc. in Yoga (BY) · and 15 more18always one route
- Nagaon UniversityB.Sc. (Hons.) in Zoology · Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Technician (BMLT) · B.Sc. (Hons.) in Botany · and 13 more16always one route
- RNB Global University, Bikaner ( Rajasthan)Bachelor of Arts (BA) Specilization in Business Studies · Bachelor of Arts (BA) Specilization in Economics / Business Economics · Bachelor of Arts (BA) Specilization in English · and 11 more14always one route
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University DelhiBachelor of Arts (Hons.) - Psychology · Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) - Political Science · Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) - Sociology · and 9 more12always one route
- University of JammuB.A. in Islamic Studies · B.A. in Music · B.P.A. in Performing Arts (Kathak) · and 8 more11always one route
- The English and Foreign Languages UniversityB.A. (Hons./Research) Arabic · B.A. (Hons./Research) Chinese · B.A. (Hons./Research) French · and 7 more10always one route
- World University of DesignDance · Music · Theatre3always one route
Questions
- Which universities accept Kannada?
- 324 programmes across 19 universities can use Kannada in their CUET requirement, counted from the admission documents we have read line by line. That figure includes the programmes that merely allow the paper as one option alongside others.
- What is the CUET subject code for Kannada?
- Kannada carries NTA subject code 106. It is a language paper in the CUET (UG) subject list.
- Which papers are most often taken with Kannada?
- Counting the programme rules that accept Kannada, the papers those same rules accept most often are Assamese, Bengali, English, Hindi, Malayalam. This is a count of rules, not of what candidates choose.
- Are past answer keys available for Kannada?
- NTA has published a final answer key covering Kannada for 2026, 2025, 2024. Each link opens NTA's own PDF at the page where this paper starts. NTA does not publish the question paper itself.