CUET-UG 2026 Glitch: Over 3,700 Candidates to Get Re-Test After Exam Disruption

More than 3,700 CUET (UG) 2026 candidates who left examination centres after a technical glitch delayed the start of Shift 1 on Saturday will be given a one-time opportunity to reappear , the National Testing Agency (NTA) said.

The disruption occurred at several centres where a server-side technical issue delayed commencement of the exam , forcing revised schedules and causing widespread confusion among candidates and parents. According to the NTA, nearly 95 per cent of candidates were eventually able to complete the test after it resumed with compensatory time .

However, 3,765 candidates who had completed biometric verification but left before the restart will now be offered a rescheduled examination , with dates to be announced later.

The agency has also directed its technical partner, TCS iON , to conduct a root-cause analysis and submit a detailed report. The company acknowledged a brief technical failure that delayed the morning shift by around two hours, stating that systems were restored and the exam continued without affecting its integrity.

NTA officials said revised timings were implemented at affected centres, and support systems including a helpline and email assistance were activated to address grievances.

Despite these measures, the episode has once again highlighted recurring operational glitches in national-level entrance examinations , including delays, communication gaps, and technical failures reported in previous CUET cycles.

Education experts and stakeholders note that such repeated disruptions are contributing to a growing credibility challenge for large-scale testing agencies , raising concerns among students and parents about the reliability and preparedness of computer-based examination systems.

CUET-UG, introduced as a standardised entrance test for undergraduate admissions across central and other universities, has faced multiple operational issues since its inception, underscoring the need for stronger infrastructure and quality assurance in high-stakes examinations.