CUET-UG 2026 Delayed at Several Centres Due to Technical Glitch

By Mahima Katal The Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) 2026 faced disruptions at several examination centres across the country on Saturday after a technical glitch delayed the commencement of the exam, according to the National Testing Agency (NTA).

In a statement posted on X, the NTA said that the issue originated from a technical problem at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the agency's technology partner for conducting the computer-based examination.

"TCS has reported that a technical glitch at their end delayed the commencement of CUET-UG 2026 at some centres on Saturday. The issue has since been resolved, and the examination is being conducted with full compensatory time so that no candidate is disadvantaged," the NTA said.

Following the disruption, the NTA revised the schedule for the afternoon session. Candidates are now required to report from 2:30 pm, while the examination will begin at 4:00 pm instead of the originally scheduled 3:00 pm.

The agency clarified that candidates appearing in the morning session would receive the full duration of the examination and would be allowed to leave only after completing the test.

"NTA sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused to the students and parents," the statement added.

To assist affected candidates, the agency has issued a helpline number (+91-11-40759000) and an email support address (cuet-ug@nta.ac.in).

Meanwhile, several students and parents took to social media to report delays and alleged a lack of communication from examination authorities. Many claimed that candidates were left waiting for hours inside centres, while parents remained outside without updates.

One user wrote that students were forced to wait three to four hours due to technical issues, calling the situation unacceptable for a national-level examination. Another reported that an examination centre near Ganga International School in Delhi had not started the test hours after the scheduled time. Several parents also complained that they had travelled long distances to remote centres only to face prolonged delays.

CUET-UG, conducted by the NTA, serves as the common entrance examination for admission to undergraduate programmes offered by central universities, state universities, and several private institutions across India.

Since its introduction in 2022, the examination has faced multiple operational challenges, including last-minute changes in exam centres, delayed entry procedures, server and login failures, and, in some cases, cancellation and rescheduling of examinations due to technical issues.

The recurring disruptions have raised concerns among students and parents regarding the smooth conduct of one of India's largest entrance examinations.

The examination has been conducted entirely in computer-based test (CBT) mode since 2025, with the NTA citing greater standardisation and operational efficiency. CUET-UG evaluates candidates on language proficiency, domain-specific subjects, and general aptitude, in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.