Editor,
I wish to highlight a serious issue affecting students from Arunachal Pradesh during the CUET (Common University Entrance Test).
Every year, thousands of students from Arunachal appear for the CUET with the aspiration of pursuing higher education in central universities across the country. Unfortunately, the extremely limited number of OBT (online based test) centres in the state has created immense hardship for these students. Due to this shortage, many candidates are forced to travel to neighbouring states such as Assam in order to appear for this important national-level examination.
A recent scene at Lahowal College in Dibrugarh clearly reflected this problem, where a large number of students were seen standing in long queues outside the examination centre. This indicates the immense pressure placed on a few centres that must accommodate candidates from multiple regions. Many students have to travel long distances across difficult terrain and poor road conditions just to reach the examination venue, adding unnecessary stress and exhaustion even before the examination begins.
Moreover, some Arunachalee students have reported facing discrimination and unnecessary questioning because of their physical appearance. Such experiences are deeply discouraging and unacceptable, especially in an academic environment where students should feel respected and treated equally.
In addition, overcrowding and confusion at examination centres have created further difficulties. It has also been reported that a few students who arrived only a few minutes late were not allowed to sit for the examination. Considering that many students travel across states due to the absence of adequate centres in their own state, such incidents raise a critical question: who will take responsibility for the loss of their opportunity and the years of preparation that led to that moment?
At present, there is reportedly only one CUET OBT centre in the entire state of Arunachal, which is clearly insufficient for the growing number of candidates each year. Students from remote districts face even greater challenges due to long travel hours, difficult terrain, limited transportation facilities, and unpredictable weather conditions. For many families, travelling outside the state for an entrance examination becomes a heavy financial burden.
Education should provide equal opportunities to every student, regardless of their geographical location. Therefore, I make a sincere and urgent appeal to the education minister of Arunachal, as well as to the authorities concerned and student unions, to look into this matter with seriousness and urgency.
Immediate steps should be taken to establish more CUET OBT centres across different districts of the state.
Ensuring adequate examination centres within Arunachal will not only reduce the burden on students but will also uphold the principles of fairness, accessibility, and equal opportunity in education.
I sincerely hope that the authorities concerned will take prompt and meaningful action, so that the students of Arunachal can pursue their academic dreams without unnecessary obstacles.
Jarde Boje,
Itanagar