The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) has turned into a logistical nightmare for many students in Meghalaya.
Despite selecting preferred exam centers, numerous students have been assigned centers far from their chosen locations, sparking widespread frustration.
Some students have been allocated centers hundreds of kilometers away, while others have been assigned third preference cities or even cities not on their initial list.
One student from Shillong was shocked to find that their CUET-UG center was assigned to Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The student had no choice but to mention four centers while applying online, which led to the confusion.
The situation has caused considerable stress and inconvenience for students, who face logistical challenges like long travel distances, potential difficulties with transport and accommodation, and the overall stress of planning and executing travel during their preparation period.
Many students have expressed concerns about the impact on their exam preparation, citing the need to focus on their studies rather than worrying about travel arrangements.
The issue has caught the attention of the state government, with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma submitting a memorandum to Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan on the inadequate availability of test centers within Meghalaya.
Following this, Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma wrote to the National Testing Agency (NTA), stating that the government has identified over 200 additional computer nodes to support the smooth conduct of CUET (UG) 2025 within the state.
In his letter to Pradhan, the Chief Minister expressed concern that despite the government’s efforts to facilitate the smooth conduct of NTA examinations, the present allocation scenario remains a cause of distress.
The state government had constituted a state-level committee, along with district-level committees, to ensure that the examinations are conducted without any issues. However, it seems that these efforts have not yielded the desired results.
The CUET (UG) 2025 is set to begin on Tuesday, and it remains to be seen if the NTA will postpone or defer the examination for Meghalaya students.
The students are anxiously waiting for a resolution to this issue, hoping that the NTA will take into account the logistical challenges they face and provide a suitable solution.
The students’ frustration is palpable, and many are worried about the impact on their future.
The NTA has been criticized for not taking into account the specific needs of students from remote areas like Meghalaya. The agency’s policy of allocating centers based on availability rather than student preferences has come under fire, with many arguing that it is unfair to students who have to travel long distances.
As the CUET (UG) 2025 is about to begin, the fate of Meghalaya students hangs in the balance. Will the NTA take into account the concerns of the students and the state government, or will the students have to face the logistical nightmare of traveling long distances to take their exams? Only time will tell.
