CUET-UG delayed at some centres due to technical glitch; TCS says 'regret inconvenience'

New Delhi: The CUET-UG 2026 for admissions into undergraduate degree programmes across India was delayed at some centres on Saturday due to a technical glitch, the National Testing Agency said.

"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," the NTA said 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.

Morning session candidates were given the full duration of the paper and were allowed to exit only after the completion of the test, it said.

"NTA sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused to the students and parents," the agency said.

The agency also provided a helpline number – [phone] – and email support – [e-mail] – for any assistance.

In a statement, K Krithivasan, CEO and MD at TCS, said that "a brief technical issue" caused a delay of around two hours in the morning shift of CUET-UG.

"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," the statement said.

It added that its 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 X and alleged 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.

"CUET scheduled to conclude at 10:30 am today has not yet commenced at the centre Webinfotron Technologies adjacent to Ganga International School, Khasra No. 265, Delhi 110081. Parents are waiting since morning for their children with no official update," another user said.

"CUET exam delayed. The centre for most kids was many many miles away from the main city. Kids and parents left at 6 am to reach the centre on time. At 11 am, parents are told that the exam has not even started. Meanwhile, kids are just sitting inside waiting," said another.

The Common University Entrance Test-Undergraduate, or 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.

There have also been instances of exam cancellations at some centres due to system-related problems, as well as rescheduling of tests for the affected candidates.

In certain cases, students reported confusion over admit card details and exam dates, leading to missed attempts.

The recurring issues have created concerns among the students and parents over the smooth conduct of the examination.

The CUET-UG has been conducted in the computer-based test (CBT) mode since the 2025 cycle, with the NTA citing improved standardisation, efficiency and logistics in the conduct of the nationwide entrance test.

Replacing multiple entrance tests, the CUET-UG aims to provide a uniform assessment platform, and evaluates candidates on language skills, domain-specific subjects, and general aptitude, aligning with the National Education Policy 2020 to promote inclusivity and equal opportunities.