Itanagar, May 5: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has called on the state government to urgently address the limited availability of Common University Entrance Test (CUET) centres within the state, terming it a serious concern that is adversely affecting students.
CUET, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), serves as a key gateway for admissions into central universities and other premier institutions. However, the concentration of examination centres in and around the capital region has left students from remote districts—such as Tawang, Anjaw, Longding, Tirap, and Upper Siang—at a distinct disadvantage.
Due to the lack of accessible centres, many students are compelled to travel to neighbouring Assam, leading to significant hardships. These include long and difficult journeys through challenging terrain, increased financial burden for travel and accommodation, and heightened mental and physical stress that can affect exam performance. There is also the risk of missing examinations due to logistical delays, potentially costing students an entire academic year.
APCC emphasized that this situation undermines equal access to education and places students from economically weaker and remote backgrounds at a disadvantage. Highlighting the need for reform, the APCC stated that establishing more CUET centres within Arunachal Pradesh would ensure fair access, reduce financial strain, and improve student outcomes by allowing candidates to appear for exams in a familiar environment.
It urged the state government to take up the matter with the Centre and the NTA on priority. It recommended setting up examination centres in key districts HQs such as Pasighat, Tezu, Bomdila, Aalo, and Ziro, ensuring a more equitable distribution beyond the capital region. It also called for strengthening infrastructure for computer-based tests and improving awareness and coordination at the district level.
The APCC stressed that access to education should not be limited by geography or infrastructure gaps, and that expanding CUET centres is essential for ensuring fairness, inclusion, and opportunity for the youth of the state.