CUET UG 2026 delayed after a technical glitch, TCS issues apology

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG 2026) faced disruption on May 30 after a technical glitch delayed the start of examinations at several centres across the country.

The issue mainly affected the second shift, leaving students waiting beyond their scheduled reporting time.

TCS ACKNOWLEDGES GLITCH, ISSUES APOLOGY

Following NTA's statement, TCS iON also issued a public clarification on X, acknowledging that a technical issue on its platform had affected the conduct of the examination at some centres.

The company said the disruption was caused by a "technical issue in one of the central system components" that impacted the scheduled start of the test at certain locations. TCS iON added that its technical teams worked with examination authorities to resolve the problem and restore operations.

The company apologised to students, parents and institutions affected by the disruption, saying it regretted the inconvenience caused. It also reiterated its commitment to maintaining reliable examination services and ensuring a smooth experience for candidates in future examinations.

REVISED SHIFT TIMINGS

According to the revised schedule shared by NTA, candidates for the afternoon session are required to report from 2:30 pm onwards. The examination is rescheduled to begin at 4:00 pm instead of the earlier 3:00 pm start time.

For morning shift candidates, the agency clarified that the full duration of the examination would be provided, and students would be allowed to leave only after completing the test.

NTA said the decision to extend compensatory time was taken to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all candidates appearing for the exam.

The agency also expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to students and parents, stating that steps were being taken to prevent such disruptions in future sessions.

NTA BLAMES TECHNICAL ISSUE

In an official update posted on X, the National Testing Agency (NTA) said the delay occurred due to a technical glitch reported by its service provider, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

The agency stated that the issue originated at the vendor’s end but was quickly resolved.

The post confirmed that the examination would continue with compensatory time so that no candidate was disadvantaged due to the delay.

HELPLINE SUPPORT ACTIVATED

Along with the update, NTA shared its official helpline number: +91-11-40759000 and email support for candidates facing any issues.

Students were advised to use the official CUET UG portal for further updates and instructions.

The disruption adds to ongoing concerns around large-scale computer-based examinations in India, where technical infrastructure plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth conduct of entrance tests for lakhs of aspirants.