Education – UGC-NET Applicants Raise Concerns Over Repeated Portal Disruptions
Education – Students preparing for the June 2026 session of the UGC-NET examination have voiced strong concerns over recurring technical problems on the official application portal, adding to the wider debate surrounding the reliability of digital systems used in major national-level examinations.
Several candidates claimed that the registration website faced repeated slowdowns and system failures during the application process, making it difficult for many students to complete their forms within the scheduled timeline. The issue has drawn attention after multiple aspirants from universities, including Delhi University, approached the University Grants Commission seeking another opportunity to register.
Registration Deadline Extended Amid Complaints
The National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test, had earlier extended the application deadline from May 20 to May 23. Officials stated that the extension was granted after receiving requests from candidates across different regions.
Despite the additional days, many students argued that the extension did not fully address the problems they encountered on the portal. According to applicants, technical interruptions continued even after the revised schedule was announced, leaving several users anxious about missing the deadline.
Candidates said the website often became unresponsive during peak hours, especially on May 18 and May 19. Some users reported that they remained logged out for long periods, while others faced difficulties uploading required documents and completing payment procedures.
Students Describe Delays and Submission Errors
Applicants described the entire process as frustrating and unnecessarily time-consuming. Many said that simple tasks such as uploading signatures, photographs, or educational certificates took far longer than expected because of repeated loading failures.
One student preparing for the eligibility examination said it took nearly 20 minutes to upload a correctly formatted signature due to constant interruptions on the website. The applicant added that several classmates managed to submit their forms only on the final day after repeated attempts.
Students also mentioned that incomplete form submissions and sudden page refreshes forced them to restart sections of the application multiple times. For candidates applying from areas with unstable internet connectivity, the portal issues reportedly created additional stress.
Demand for Reopening the Application Window
Following the technical disruptions, groups of students and academic representatives urged the University Grants Commission to consider reopening the registration portal for a limited period. They argued that many eligible candidates may have been unable to complete the process because of problems beyond their control.
Some students noted that the examination is an important qualification test for those seeking admission to doctoral programmes and academic careers. Because of the significance of the examination, candidates said the registration process should function smoothly without unnecessary technical barriers.
Educational forums and student groups on social media also highlighted complaints related to slow server response and repeated login failures. Many users appealed for improved digital infrastructure and better support systems during large-scale examination registrations.
Similar Issues Reported in Earlier Examination Cycles
This is not the first time candidates have reported technical problems linked to the UGC-NET examination process. Similar concerns emerged during the 2023 application cycle when students requested an extension after facing glitches on the registration portal.
In 2022, technical issues during the examination process affected some candidates who were unable to appear for the test as scheduled. Authorities later organised a separate examination for affected applicants to ensure they were not disadvantaged.
The latest complaints have once again raised questions about the preparedness of online systems handling large volumes of applications for national examinations. Students and education experts have stressed the need for stronger digital infrastructure, regular system testing, and quicker grievance redressal mechanisms to prevent disruptions in future examination cycles.