Editor,
The introduction of computer-based entrance examinations across India has significantly changed the way students compete for admission into universities and professional institutions.
Examinations such as the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for undergraduate and postgraduate courses are now conducted online to ensure transparency, efficiency, and uniformity in the evaluation process. However, while this system has streamlined the examination process at the national level, it has also highlighted certain infrastructural gaps in remote and geographically challenging states like Arunachal Pradesh.
Almost a year ago, the education minister of Arunachal assured the public that computer-based examination centres would be established within the state. This announcement was welcomed by students and parents alike, as it promised to address a longstanding difficulty faced by aspirants appearing for national-level examinations. Unfortunately, as CUET examinations for both UG and PG courses are currently underway, the reality on the ground remains largely unchanged.
Even today, many students from Arunachal are compelled to travel to neighbouring states, particularly Assam, to appear for computer-based examinations. For a state characterised by rugged terrain, long distances, and limited connectivity, such travel is not merely inconvenient but often exhausting and financially burdensome. In many cases, students must travel hundreds of kilometres, sometimes requiring an entire day or more just to reach the examination centre.
The financial implications of this situation cannot be overlooked. Families must bear additional expenses for transportation, accommodation, and food. For students coming from rural and economically weaker backgrounds, these costs can become a serious obstacle in their pursuit of higher education. Education should ideally provide opportunities and remove barriers, but the lack of adequate examination infrastructure within the state unintentionally places Arunachalee students at a disadvantage.
There is also an economic perspective that deserves attention. During examination seasons, a considerable amount of money is spent by Arunachalee students and their families in neighbouring states. Travel expenses, hotel stays, and other related expenditures contribute to the local economies of those states. If proper computer-based examination centres were established within Arunachal, this economic activity could instead benefit local businesses, transportation services, and small hospitality establishments within the state.
Considering the increasing number of students aspiring to pursue higher education through national-level examinations, it is both timely and necessary for the state government to take concrete steps in establishing computer-based testing centres. Strategic locations such as the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR), Pasighat, Namsai, Tawang, and Ziro could serve as suitable hubs to cater to students from different regions of the state. Given its population and accessibility, at least two centres in the ICR would significantly ease the pressure on students from surrounding districts.
Establishing such centres would not only reduce travel hardships but would also promote educational inclusivity and equal opportunity. In a time when digital infrastructure is becoming central to governance and education, investing in computer-based examination facilities should be considered an essential step towards strengthening the educational ecosystem of Arunachal.
The youths of Arunachal are determined, talented, and eager to pursue higher education and contribute to the nation’s development. What they require is a supportive environment that allows them to compete on equal terms with students from other parts of the country. Establishing computer-based examination centres within the state may appear to be a small administrative step, but for thousands of students, it would make a significant difference.
The hope now is that the promise made will soon be translated into concrete action, ensuring that the students of Arunachal no longer have to cross state borders simply to appear for an examination that shapes their academic future.
Bompa Lomdak,
MA 4th semester,
AITS, RGU