Srinagar, May 30: Hundreds of candidates appearing for the Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate (CUET-UG) 2026 faced disruption on Saturday after a technical glitch at several examination centres delayed the commencement of the first shift, prompting the National Testing Agency (NTA) to order an investigation and announce a special re-examination for affected students.
In an official statement, the NTA said the technical issue, reported by its service provider TCS iON, affected the start of Shift-I examinations at some centres across the country.
While the problem was later resolved and the examination resumed with compensatory time, the disruption caused inconvenience and uncertainty for candidates and their families.
According to the agency, nearly 95 per cent of candidates were able to complete their examination after services were restored.
However, 3,765 candidates who had reported to their centres, completed biometric registration and were present for the examination chose to leave before the test could restart.
The NTA said these candidates would be given a fresh opportunity to take the examination through a one-time rescheduled test.
The date and other details of the special examination will be announced separately on the official CUET website.
“The technical service provider, TCS iON, has been directed to conduct a root-cause analysis and submit its report immediately,” the agency said, adding that no candidate who remained at the centre would be disadvantaged as full compensatory time was provided.
The agency further revised the schedule for the afternoon session, postponing the commencement of the examination by one hour.
Candidates were asked to report at 2.30 pm, while the examination began at 4 pm instead of the originally scheduled 3 pm.
NTA expressed regret over the disruption, stating that it understood the distress caused to students and parents.
It reiterated that candidates who were present at their centres on May 30, completed biometric verification but could not complete the examination due to the technical failure would be accommodated through the rescheduled test.
The incident comes weeks before the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2026, scheduled for June 21.
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that the Delhi Government would provide free travel in all Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses for NEET-UG 2026 candidates on examination day upon presentation of a valid admit card.
“No student should face inconvenience on a day that holds such importance for their future,” the Chief Minister said in a post on X and extended her best wishes to aspirants appearing for the medical entrance examination.
