The National Testing Agency (NTA) has confirmed that more than 3,700 candidates who departed from their CUET-UG examination centres following a technical failure will be offered a single opportunity to sit for the undergraduate entrance test again. The glitch, which occurred on Saturday, delayed the start of the first shift at several locations.
According to the NTA, examination timings were adjusted at the affected centres after the disruption, and most candidates were able to finish their test once it resumed. However, 3,765 students who had completed biometric registration chose to leave before the exam could restart. The agency stated on X that a rescheduled examination will be held as a one-time measure for these individuals, with the new date and further details to be announced separately.
The technical service provider, TCS iON, has been directed to conduct a root-cause analysis and submit its report immediately. The NTA acknowledged the stress caused by the glitch, saying, “We know this was stressful, and we're sorry for the anxiety it caused.” The agency also noted that candidates who completed biometric registration but could not finish the exam due to the technical issue will receive another opportunity.
Earlier, the NTA had reported that the technical problem was resolved and that the examination was proceeding with full compensatory time to ensure no candidate was disadvantaged. TCS reported that the glitch, which occurred at their end, delayed the commencement of CUET UG 2026 at some centres on Saturday. The afternoon session timing was revised: reporting and entry from 2:30 pm, with the examination beginning at 4:00 pm instead of 3:00 pm. Morning session candidates were given the full duration of the paper and allowed to exit only after completing the test.
The NTA expressed sincere regret for the inconvenience caused to students and parents. For assistance, the agency provided a helpline number (91-11-40759000) and an email address ([email protected]). In a statement, TCS CEO and Managing Director K Krithivasan said that a brief technical issue caused a delay of around two hours in the morning shift. He added that the issue was promptly identified and resolved, and the examination resumed without impact on its sanctity. TCS teams are actively monitoring all systems and remain committed to working closely with the NTA to ensure seamless conduct of the computer-based tests.
Several students and parents reported the delay on social media, with some alleging a lack of communication at examination centres. One X user posted that students were forced to wait three to four hours due to technical glitches, with no proper communication or arrangements, causing suffering in extreme heat. Another post noted that the CUET exam scheduled to conclude at 10:30 am had not yet started at a centre in Delhi, with parents waiting since morning.
