CUET UG 2026 Exam Delayed at Some Centres, NTA Revises Shift Timing

CUET UG 2026 Exam Delayed at Some Centres; NTA Revises Afternoon Shift Timing after a technical issue impacted the commencement of the examination at several centres on May 30, 2026. According to an official notice issued by the National Testing Agency, the technical glitch was reported by examination technology partner TCS and caused delays in starting the Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate examination at some locations.

The agency clarified that the issue has now been resolved and candidates affected by the disruption are being provided full compensatory examination time to ensure fairness and transparency in the examination process. The revised schedule announced by the agency changes the afternoon reporting and examination timing for candidates appearing in the second shift on May 30, 2026.

NTA Issues Official Notice on CUET UG 2026 Technical Glitch

The National Testing Agency confirmed that a technical issue at the end of M/s TCS delayed the start of CUET UG 2026 at a few examination centres on May 30, 2026. The issue reportedly affected the smooth commencement of the examination during scheduled timings.

The agency stated that the technical problem has now been resolved and all examination activities are continuing with revised arrangements. National Testing Agency clarified that candidates would not lose examination time due to the delay and necessary compensatory measures have been implemented immediately.

Revised CUET UG 2026 Afternoon Shift Timing Announced

Following the technical disruption, the examination authority revised the afternoon session timing for candidates scheduled to appear in the second shift on May 30.

Revised afternoon session schedule:

• Reporting and entry timing: From 2:30 PM
• Examination commencement: 4:00 PM

The examination was originally scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM. However, due to the delay, the agency shifted the commencement time by one hour to ensure smooth conduct of the examination. Candidates were informed through official communication and centre authorities regarding the revised reporting and exam schedule.

Morning Shift Candidates Given Full Examination Duration

The National Testing Agency also clarified that candidates appearing in the morning shift would receive the complete duration allotted for the examination despite the delay. According to the official notice, students were permitted to leave examination halls only after completing the full examination duration prescribed for their paper. This decision was taken to maintain fairness and prevent any academic disadvantage to candidates affected by the technical issue.

Technical Glitch Reported by TCS During CUET UG 2026 Exam

The technical issue was reportedly identified and communicated by Tata Consultancy Services, which is responsible for handling various technological operations related to the examination process.

The delay affected commencement timing at selected centres, though the exact number of impacted centres was not officially disclosed by the agency. The issue was resolved shortly after being detected, allowing examination authorities to continue the examination process with revised scheduling arrangements.

NTA Assures Fairness and Compensatory Time

NTA emphasised that no candidate would face any disadvantage because of the delay caused by the technical issue. The agency assured students and parents that adequate compensatory time was being provided to all affected candidates.The examination authority also expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to students and guardians due to the disruption.The official notice stated that all necessary measures were taken immediately to restore normal examination operations at affected centres.

Importance of CUET UG 2026 Examination

CUET UG 2026 is one of the largest undergraduate entrance examinations in India conducted for admission into central universities and several participating institutions across the country.

The examination determines admission eligibility for undergraduate programmes in universities including Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Aligarh Muslim University, and several other participating institutions. Lakhs of candidates are appearing for the examination this year across multiple examination centres nationwide.

Candidate Reactions After Exam Delay

The temporary disruption caused concern among students and parents waiting outside examination centres. Many candidates were reportedly anxious due to uncertainty regarding revised timings and examination procedures. However, the announcement of compensatory time and revised schedules helped reduce confusion at affected centres. Examination authorities at centres coordinated with students regarding reporting procedures and updated schedules.

CUET UG 2026 Exam Day Guidelines for Candidates

Candidates appearing in remaining CUET UG 2026 shifts are advised to follow all official instructions and maintain updated information regarding examination schedules.

Important instructions include:

• Reach exam centre before reporting time
• Carry valid admit card and photo identity proof
• Follow revised reporting instructions carefully
• Cooperate with centre staff during verification
• Avoid carrying prohibited electronic devices

Candidates should also regularly monitor official notices for any fresh announcements related to examination schedules or centre arrangements.

Final Update on CUET UG 2026 Technical Issue

The National Testing Agency has confirmed that the technical issue affecting CUET UG 2026 examination commencement at some centres on May 30 has been resolved successfully. Revised timings have been implemented for the afternoon session, and all affected candidates are receiving full compensatory examination time. NTA has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent examination process for all candidates appearing in CUET UG 2026.