CUET UG 2026 faces technical glitch; NTA revises exam timings

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has acknowledged a technical glitch that disrupted the conduct of the Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate (CUET UG) 2026 at some examination centres today, May 30. It prompted revision in exam timings and the provision of compensatory time for affected candidates.

In an official notice, NTA said its technology partner, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), reported a technical issue that delayed the commencement of the examination at certain centres. The agency states that the issue has been resolved.

Official post on platform X reads, "The issue has since been resolved, and the exam is being conducted with full compensatory time so that no candidate is disadvantaged."

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CUET UG 2026: Students face two hours of delay

TCS also issued a statement later clarifying that the two-hour delay in the CUET 2026 morning shift paper was "promptly identified" by the technical teams, and the exam resumed without causing inconvenience.

Teams are actively monitoring systems to ensure the seamless conduct of future computer-based tests, TCS said in its official statement.

"The issue was promptly identified and resolved by our technical teams and the examination has since resumed without any impact to the sanctity of the exam. We regret the inconvenience. Our teams are actively monitoring all systems. We remain committed to working closely with NTA to ensure seamless conduct of the Computer based tests," TCS posted on its offical X account.

Revised timing

As per the revised schedule announced by NTA, candidates appearing in the afternoon session will now be allowed entry from 2.30 pm, while the examination will begin at 4 pm instead of the originally scheduled 3 pm. The agency also said that morning-session candidates would be provided the full duration of the examination and allowed to leave only after completing the paper.

“Morning-session candidates are being given the full duration of the paper and may exit only after completing it. NTA sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused to students and parents,” the agency said in its statement.

Some users sought clarification from NTA regarding the next course of action. “Adarsh Pariksha Kendra Noida Sector 64 cancelled exam. All students left without giving an exam. What to do now,” one user wrote on X. Several other candidates claimed that the examination had been cancelled and that further instructions would be issued later.

NTA's latest post on X for CUET candidates

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CUET 2026: Chaos at Noida exam centre

Students who were supposed to appear at Noida Sector 64 examination centre, have claimed that the exam did not take place. "The CUET exam didn't happen today. Students were made to sit from 8:30 am to 11:10 am and were then asked to leave, with a message that NTA would inform them about the next steps," a parent told Careers360.

Reportedly, at an examination centre in Jodhpur, information about the delay was displayed outside the venue much later. By that time, candidates scheduled for the second shift may have already reached the centre, while the first-shift examination had reportedly not concluded.

NTA has not yet issued any centre-specific clarification regarding the alleged cancellation at the Noida venue. The delay has triggered anxiety among students, many of whom are already apprehensive following examination-related controversies in recent years.

CUET UG is conducted every year for admission to undergraduate programmes in central, state and participating universities. Candidates must monitor the official CUET UG website and NTA communication channels for further updates.