CUET UG 2026 delayed at several centres due to technical glitch; NTA revises exam schedule
CUET UG 2026 was delayed at several centres due to a technical glitch. NTA revised schedules, offered compensatory time, and faced criticism from opposition leaders
At a time when the National Testing Agency (NTA) is facing severe criticism over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, which led to the cancellation of the examination, the Common University Entrance Test-Undergraduate (CUET UG 2026) examination for admissions into undergraduate degree courses across India was delayed at some centres on Saturday due to a technical glitch, the NTA said.
Glitch resolved, time compensated
Elaborating further, the NTA stated that the issue has been resolved, adding that it is going on with students being provided with full compensatory time so that no candidate is disadvantaged.
Also Read: 'NEET-UG 2026 cancellation after paper leak shows commitment to exam integrity': NTA to SC
"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 exam is being conducted with full compensatory time so that no candidate is disadvantaged,” stated the NTA on X.
“Afternoon session timing (revised): Reporting/entry from 2:30 pm; examination begins at 4:00 pm instead of 3:00 pm," the NTA said.
Revised schedule announced
Morning session candidates are being given the full duration of the paper and are allowed to exit only after completion of the test, it said.
"NTA sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused to the students and parents,” the agency said.
The NTA has also provided a helpline number, +91-11-40759000, and email support, [email protected], for any assistance.
Students flag delays
Several students and parents reported the delay on X and alleged a lack of communication at the examination centres.
"CUET 2026 students forced to wait 3-4 hours due to technical glitches. No proper communication, no arrangements, students and parents suffering in extreme heat. This is unacceptable for a national-level exam,” an X user posted.
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The CUET-UG, is a standardised, national-level entrance exam conducted by the NTA for admissions into undergraduate degree programmes across central, state, and select private universities.
Since its introduction in 2022, the second-largest entrance test in the country has witnessed multiple operational disruptions in different phases, including last-minute changes in exam centres, delayed entry and commencement at several venues, and technical issues such as server and login failures at select centres.
History of operational disruptions
Reacting to the development, AAP leader and former Delhi chief minister Atishi criticised Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and linked the incident to recent controversies surrounding major examinations.
“First NEET, then CBSE, now CUET," she said in a series of posts on X.
Opposition targets Centre
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also attacked the government, citing NEET, CBSE and SSC examinations.
“NEET. CBSE. SSC. And today CUET. Four exams. One crore children. Not a single one conducted with honesty,” stated Rahul in a post X.
Questioning the government's “Vishvaguru” narrative, Rahul alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had damaged the country's education system.
Also Read: NEET-UG paper leak: SC asks Centre, NTA how breach occurred despite monitoring
“The generation whose future you are destroying — that same generation will hold you accountable,” added Rahul.
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal also weighed in, sharing Atishi's post and remarking: “The country needs an educated PM.”
(With agency inputs)