UGC NET June 2026: NTA Announces Re-Exam for Candidates Hit by Technical Glitches in Jalandhar

The National Testing Agency has scheduled a fresh test for students whose June 22 attempt was derailed by software failures at a Punjab exam centre.

For hundreds of aspirants appearing for the UGC NET June 2026, a high-stakes professional milestone turned into a day of frustration this past Sunday. Candidates arriving at the CT Group of Institutions in Jalandhar faced significant technical disruptions during the first shift of the examination, leaving many unable to even initiate their papers, let alone complete them.

Following reports of these glitches—which were formally flagged by the testing partner, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)—the National Testing Agency (NTA) has moved to address the fallout. On Monday, the agency confirmed that a re-exam for the affected candidates will be held on July 5, 2026, at 3 PM at the same Jalandhar centre.

Who is eligible?

The NTA has been specific about the scope of this remedial measure. The re-exam is restricted strictly to those candidates who were present at the Jalandhar centre during the first shift on June 22 and were impacted by the technical failures. Those who successfully completed their papers or were writing from other centres across the country are not affected by this announcement.

With the UGC NET acting as a gateway for Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor positions, the pressure on the testing infrastructure is immense. The decision to hold a re-test suggests that the agency acknowledges the disruption was significant enough to compromise the integrity of the performance for those specific students.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the fragility of our large-scale digital assessment systems. When a technical glitch occurs in a high-pressure environment like the UGC NET, it isn't just a minor administrative hiccup—it represents months of preparation effectively being put on hold. While the NTA’s prompt reaction to announce a July date provides a necessary safety net, it raises broader questions about the reliance on digital infrastructure in centres that may lack the robust backup systems required for national-level testing.

For the students involved, the next two weeks will be a tense period of "re-preparation." While a second chance is welcome, the mental toll of a disrupted exam day often lingers. Moving forward, the recurring nature of such technical issues at examination centres across India remains a primary concern for candidates who depend on the stability of these digital platforms to secure their academic and professional futures.