New Delhi (India) May 31: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced that candidates who attended their examination centres on May 30 (Shift-1) but could not finish the CUET (UG) 2026 due to technical glitch, would be retested.
NTA Announces Retest for Affected Students
The agency issued an official statement admitting that the test was disrupted and candidates underwent stress due to it. Adding further, it said that candidates, who have had biometric registration, appeared at their exam centres, but weren't able to finish the test because of the glitch, will be given an opportunity for examination. A fresh schedule will be released soon on the NTA website.
“We know today's unfortunate technical disruption caused distress for some CUET (UG) 2026 candidates," NTA said.
TCS Asked to Submit Cause Report
Elaborating on the details, NTA clarified that technical issues started at some centres during Shift-1, which delayed the examination. It confirmed that the technical service provider Tata Consultancy Services (TCS iON) was asked to immediately provide a root cause analysis report and the report will be submitted by them forthwith.
"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,” NTA added.
Most Candidates Completed CUET UG Exam
NTA assured that after the restoration of the technical glitch, more than 95 per cent students were able to write their exams in full. However, 3,765 candidates who attended their examination centers and completed biometrics, have chosen to leave before restart of exam. As a one-time measure, a fresh examination will be conducted for them.
Exam Timings Revised After Delay
Earlier in the day, NTA had confirmed that a technical error delayed the CUET UG 2026 in several exam centers. The issue was resolved and students were provided with compensatory time.
The timing of afternoon exams were also changed to 4:00 PM and reporting at 2:30 PM instead of 3:00 PM. For the morning shifts, students were given the complete time of the paper and not allowed to leave until its completion.
NEET Row Adds to NTA Concerns
This is the second exam failure for the NTA in as many weeks, especially when students are already facing the heat after the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 following various irregularities and alleged paper leak. The exam, held on May 3, has been postponed to June 21, and a CBI probe is ordered by the Ministry of Education.
Atishi Targets Centre Over CUET Chaos
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi has launched a sharp attack on Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing the CUET delay as yet another example of incompetence.
"Today CUET has been delayed due to a ‘technical issue’. Lakhs of students were to take the exam in all parts of India today and after waiting for hours, such notices have been put up outside all centres. Remarkable incompetence @dpradhanbjp!” Atishi wrote on X.