NTA Offers Rescheduled CUET-UG Exam for Affected Candidates

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced a rescheduled examination for 3,765 candidates of the CUET-UG 2026 due to a technical glitch that disrupted the exam at various centres. While most candidates completed their tests, those who left before the exam could resume will have another chance to take it. The NTA has promised to provide details about the new dates soon and has apologized for the inconvenience caused. This incident highlights ongoing operational challenges faced by the CUET-UG since its introduction in 2022, raising concerns among students and parents alike.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 31, 2026, 16:50 IST

Technical Glitch Leads to Rescheduling of CUET-UG

CUET-UG students waiting outside the exam centres due to technical glitch (Photo: @vidhisharmx/X)

New Delhi, May 31: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced that 3,765 candidates will have a chance to retake the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) 2026 due to a technical issue that delayed the start of the exam at various locations nationwide.

The NTA clarified that these candidates had completed their biometric registration and were present at their respective centres on Saturday but chose to leave before the examination could resume following the disruption.

According to the agency, most candidates managed to finish their exams once they resumed. However, the 3,765 candidates who left before the restart will be given a rescheduled examination as a one-time opportunity.

Details regarding the new dates and specifics for the rescheduled exam will be provided separately by the NTA.

The disruption occurred during the morning session due to a technical glitch that delayed the examination's commencement at some centres.

Approximately 95 percent of candidates were able to complete their tests after normal operations resumed, with compensatory time allocated.

The NTA expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and instructed its technical service provider, TCS ION, to conduct a thorough root-cause analysis.

"We recognize that this unfortunate technical disruption caused distress for some CUET candidates. Those who completed biometric registration and were present at their centres but could not finish the exam due to the glitch will receive another opportunity," stated the NTA.

Previously, the agency had adjusted examination schedules at the affected centres. Morning-shift candidates were allowed the full duration of the test, while the reporting time for the afternoon session was moved to 2:30 PM, with the exam starting at 4 PM instead of 3 PM.

K. Krithivasan, CEO and Managing Director of TCS, mentioned that a brief technical issue resulted in a delay of about two hours during the morning session.

"The problem was quickly identified and resolved by our technical teams, and the examination resumed without compromising the integrity of the exam. We apologize for the inconvenience," he added.

The company stated that its teams were closely monitoring systems and collaborating with the NTA to ensure the smooth execution of the computer-based examination.

The delay sparked numerous complaints from students and parents, many of whom took to social media to express their frustrations over poor communication and inadequate arrangements at the examination centres.

Several candidates reported waiting for hours in extreme heat without clear information regarding the revised schedule.

CUET-UG, organized by the NTA, serves as the common entrance examination for undergraduate admissions across central, state, and various private universities.

Since its inception in 2022, the examination has faced multiple operational challenges, including last-minute changes in centres, delays, technical failures, and rescheduling for affected candidates.

Conducted entirely in a computer-based format since 2025, CUET-UG is one of the largest entrance tests in the country and plays a vital role in undergraduate admissions nationwide.