The Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) 2023 commenced on Sunday, with students here saying that the examination went off smoothly barring delays at a few centres.
Approximately 15 lakh students will be appearing for the computed-based examination between May 21 and June 5 that is being conducted in three shifts across 275 cities across India and abroad to seek admissions to 250 universities. The examination is being conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The debut edition of the CUET-UG was conducted in July last year and was marred by glitches, prompting the NTA to cancel the exam at multiple centres .While several students were informed about the cancellation a night before the exam, many of them were turned away from centres.
According to the NTA, CUET-UG witnessed a 41% increase in the number of registered students nationwide compared to last year. The exams in 2022 were extended beyond its scheduled dates, throwing the academic calendar of universities off schedule. Several universities like Delhi University have made CUET scores mandatory for admissions and have reduced Board examination marks to a minimum qualification.
Nervous bunch
On Sunday, students of the first shift were a nervous bunch as they stood in the queue at 8.30 a.m. Waiting to enter the centre, Shreya, who wants to get into a Delhi University college, said she had to wake up at 3 a.m. to make it in time for her examination as it was nowhere near her house.
“I panicked when I saw my admit card. I had to travel from Sangam Vihar to Sawda Village which took me three hours in the morning at a time when public transport in not available. This caused me great stress and I had a sleepless night wondering how I would make it for my examination,” Ms. Shreya said.
Others like Pooja Jangir, who were appearing in the second shift, reached her centre, Asia Pacific Institute of Management, two hours before the reporting time. “I left home in Rewari in Haryana at 8 a.m. and it took me four hours to reach the centre. My uncle brought me here on his motorbike. It is a very hot day and we have been waiting in the sun. I don’t know if I will have the energy to write the examination now,” Ms. Jangir said.
Delays reported
University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, tweeting after the completion of the second shift, said that the examination was conducted smoothly. However, at some centres like, A-51, East Delhi Assessment Zone, Ghazipur, students reported delays and server glitches that led to delays in the second-shift papers.
“The second shift which was supposed to start at 12.30 p.m., started at 1 p.m. We were informed that due to server glitches, the two-hour examination would end at 5 p.m.,” said Neelam Devi, waiting outside the centre for her daughter to complete her examination.
Judging from the experience that students had last year, Khushi Priya, expressed satisfaction with her examination experience. Khushi, who appeared for English and general exams in the second shift, said, “My English paper went really well. I attempted all questions. There were no glitches like last year. Though I am appearing for CUET as my backup, clearing the medical entrances is my first priority.” She has applied for various courses in DU.
