ITANAGAR, May 22: In response to mounting complaints and criticism from students and the public regarding the limited availability of CUET (Common University Entrance Test) examination centres in Arunachal Pradesh, State Education Minister P.D. Sona has written a formal letter to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, seeking urgent intervention and expansion of exam centres within the state.
Highlighting the operational challenges faced by students, especially those from remote and far-flung districts, Minister Sona expressed concern over the current setup of just four examination centres—NIT Jote, NERIST Nirjuli, RGU Doimukh, and iON Digital Zone Naharlagun—all located in and around the state capital, Itanagar.
“Arunachal Pradesh, being one of the largest states in the North Eastern Region with a challenging geographical terrain, makes it extremely difficult for students to travel long distances. Many students, especially from the eastern and southern regions of the state, have faced tremendous difficulties in appearing for the CUET. Some were even unable to attend due to logistical hurdles,” Sona noted in his letter.
To alleviate these challenges and ensure equitable access to higher education opportunities, the minister proposed the addition of at least four new examination centres at strategically located towns:
- Pasighat (East Siang District)
- Bomdila (West Kameng District)
- Tezu (Lohit District)
- Aalo (West Siang District)
The appeal comes amid growing frustration among students who were allotted centres outside the state, further compounding the difficulties of travelling long distances through tough terrain with limited connectivity.
