Matribhumi Samachar English
New Delhi. Sunday, 24 May 2026
In a major update for hundreds of thousands of undergraduate aspirants, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially deferred the Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate (CUET UG) 2026 examinations originally slated for Thursday, May 28, 2026.
The official directive was issued late Sunday evening via the central CUET portal, prompting immediate updates across national educational channels. This delay alters the timeline for what remains one of the largest competitive exam blocks in the country. For context on how this fits into this year’s massive testing calendar, you can read our comprehensive tracker on the Major Indian Entrance Exams 2026: Key Dates and Last-Minute Guide for NEET, JEE & CUET.
Why Was the Exam Deferred?
The sudden postponement is the result of a scheduling adjustment by the Central Government. On May 22, 2026, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) released a revised gazetted holiday notification.
Due to celestial calculations concerning the moon sighting, the public holiday for Eid-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) was shifted to May 28, 2026. Because national testing operations cannot seamlessly function during a major public holiday—given transit restrictions and administrative closures—the NTA opted to put a temporary hold on both the morning and afternoon shifts scheduled for that day.
Action Plan for Affected Students
If you were scheduled to sit for an exam on May 28, do not panic. The postponement is administrative, and your opportunity to test is completely protected. Follow these critical steps to navigate the transition smoothly:
⚠️ Crucial Clarification: This modification only impacts candidates whose exams were explicitly scheduled on May 28, 2026. If you have separate papers scheduled on dates before or after May 28, those blocks will proceed exactly as specified on your original documentation.
Official Helpdesk Information
If you encounter portal login errors, discrepancies on your updated profile, or severe logistical clashes with the newly proposed dates, contact the NTA support team immediately:
-
Helpline Desktop Number: 011-40759000
-
Official Correspondence Email: [email protected]
-
Direct Web Portal: CUET UG Official Website
While you wait for the revised schedule to drop, use this brief operational pause to solidifying your weak areas and take extra mock tests.
