CUET UG 2026 Afternoon Session Delayed at Some Centres; NTA Gives Full Compensatory Time
NTA has made an important announcement regarding the CUET UG 2026 exam, which is scheduled for May 30, 2026.
NTA has made an important announcement regarding the CUET UG 2026 exam, which is scheduled for May 30, 2026. The notice states that some TCS centres faced technical issues, causing the afternoon session to start late in those locations. NTA has already fixed the problem to make sure no candidate is unfairly affected. Because of the delay, the afternoon session was rescheduled from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. However, all candidates were given the full allotted test time as per the original schedule.
Important Information & Revised Timings
| Session | Original Timing | Revised Timing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Session | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM | No change | Conducted as scheduled |
| Afternoon Session | 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM | 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM | Delayed, revised timing |
| Reporting/Entry (Afternoon) | 2:00 PM | 2:30 PM | Extended |
What happened?
According to a statement from the National Testing Agency (NTA), there was a technical problem at some exam centres during the afternoon session for TCS exam candidates. However, this issue was only at certain centres and not everywhere. Once the problem with the computer system was found, it was fixed, and the exam went back to normal.
Compensation for Affected Candidates
To make sure the exam was fair, NTA gave extra time to the candidates who were affected. They were given two additional hours: one for arriving late and another for the time lost due to the technical issue.
Afternoon Session Revised Instructions
The candidates taking the exam in the afternoon were told to arrive at the exam centre starting from 2:30 PM, which is later than the usual time of 2:00 PM. The exam took place from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM, allowing enough time for a full 2.5-hour session. It is important to mention that none of the candidates had their exam time reduced because of the delay, as stated by NTA.
Instructions for the Candidates
Candidates in the afternoon session were instructed to reach the exam centre by 2:30 PM, along with their admit card and a valid form of identification. They were also reminded to follow all the rules and guidelines set by the exam centre authorities. If they faced any issues, they were asked to report it immediately to the invigilator or the relevant personnel in charge of the examination.
What Must Be Known By The Candidates?
According to NTA, the technical problem has been fully fixed, and the whole exam process is going smoothly as usual. Although the morning session wasn’t affected, the candidates who took the afternoon session were given extra time as compensation. NTA has always believed in being open and fair during exams, with the main focus on helping the candidates. Steps were taken to make sure that no candidate faced any issues because of the technical problem.
NTA's Apology and Commitment
In its official statement, NTA expressed regret for the trouble that the candidates and their parents went through because of the unexpected technical issue. It also mentioned that all possible efforts were made to reduce the disruption and ensure that no candidate was at a disadvantage because of the problem. Moreover, NTA reaffirmed its dedication to holding the CUET UG 2026 in a fair, honest, and friendly manner for the students.