Amid the unrest in Manipur, the Kuki Students’ Organization (KSO) has appealed to the National Testing Agency (NTA) to establish a UGC-NET examination center in Churachandpur district. This request is made in the interest of candidate safety ahead of the December 2024 exam cycle, scheduled for January 2025.
In their formal communication to Dr. Sadhana Parasar, NTA’s Senior Director (Examination), KSO Education Secretary Thangmoi Haokip emphasized the risks students face due to ongoing ethnic conflicts. The current examination center is located in Imphal, which poses significant safety hazards for students traveling from violence-stricken areas.
Haokip pointed out, “The ongoing violence has left students in a precarious situation. For many, reaching Imphal is not just difficult—it’s dangerous.” He advocated for Churachandpur, a comparatively stable district, as a safer venue for the exams. The KSO emphasizes that ensuring equitable access to education is crucial, especially during crises, and cautioned that failing to establish a local testing center may exclude numerous students from this pivotal national test. “This is not merely a convenience; it’s a lifeline for students in conflict zones,” Haokip added.
The KSO also proposed that the NTA should promptly facilitate these arrangements and suggested allowing candidates to revise their exam center preference during the correction window starting December 12, 2024, or later if necessary.
In light of the challenges, the KSO stresses the urgency of this appeal, underscoring the need for NTA’s immediate attention to ensure the safety and accessibility of educational opportunities for students in conflict-affected areas.
