The National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued a clarification regarding the Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate programmes (CUET PG) 2026, following online concerns about multiple exam dates and the absence of score normalization. The agency confirmed that rescheduling affected only a small group of candidates who missed exams due to circumstances beyond their control, and that all candidates were evaluated under the same marking system.
NTA Responds to Social Media Concerns
Several social media posts raised questions about CUET (PG) 2026 subjects being conducted on more than one date and the lack of score normalization for rescheduled test takers. The NTA explained that rescheduling was limited to candidates unable to appear on original dates due to exceptional circumstances.
Why Were Some Exams Rescheduled?
According to the NTA, a law-and-order disruption in Tura, Meghalaya, and security issues at certain overseas examination centres affected 565 candidates across 28 subjects in March 2026. These candidates missed their scheduled exams despite being ready. To ensure fairness, the NTA organized special examinations on March 29 and 30, 2026, describing it as a welfare measure to protect candidates from being penalized for events beyond their control.
No Normalization, Same Marking System for Everyone
Online concerns suggested that rescheduled test takers might have been exempted from score normalization. The NTA rejected this, stating that CUET (PG) uses an absolute marks system where scores are based on marks obtained, with no normalization applied. This rule applies equally to all candidates, whether they appeared in the main or rescheduled exams.
Numbers Too Small for Statistical Comparison
The NTA explained that normalization between the two groups would not be meaningful due to the vast difference in candidate numbers. For instance, nearly 16,000 candidates appeared for English in the main exam versus about 120 in the rescheduled test. Political Science had around 26,000 main exam candidates compared to roughly 100 in the reschedule. History saw about 13,600 main exam takers versus fewer than 80 later. Given these disparities, any statistical normalization would lack validity.
Question Papers Checked for Equivalent Difficulty
To address fairness concerns, the NTA stated that rescheduled exam question papers were approved and finalized by subject experts, who certified their difficulty level as equivalent to the main exam papers. This ensured a comparable assessment for all candidates regardless of exam date.
NTA Reaffirms Commitment to Fairness
The agency concluded that every CUET (PG) 2026 candidate was assessed using the same absolute-marks method, and the rescheduling did not alter the evaluation process. With doubts persisting online, the NTA reassured students that the examination process remained fair, transparent, and centered on candidates' interests, even when unexpected disruptions forced schedule changes.
