Arunachal urges additional CUET centers to improve access for hill students

Arunachal Pradesh Education Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona has formally requested Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to increase the number of CUET (Common University Entrance Test) examination centers in the state to improve access for students across its remote and hilly regions.

At present, CUET exams are held at only four locations—NIT Jote, NERIST Nirjuli, RGU Doimukh, and iON Digital Zone Naharlagun—all situated in or near Itanagar, the state capital.

Sona has raised concerns that this limited availability imposes significant logistical and financial hardships on students from remote and mountainous areas of the state.

To bridge this accessibility gap, Sona has formally proposed the addition of four new exam centers in Pasighat (East Siang), Bomdila (West Kameng), Tezu (Lohit), and Aalo (West Siang).

These locations have been identified to better serve students from distant districts.

He noted that many students are currently forced to travel hundreds of kilometres, with some even compelled to sit for exams outside the state.

This has, in numerous instances, resulted in missed opportunities for otherwise eligible students.

Highlighting the state’s unique geographical and infrastructural constraints, Sona reiterated the government's commitment to creating a more inclusive and student-focused educational system.

The Education Department of Arunachal Pradesh remains optimistic that the Ministry of Education will respond promptly to the request, ensuring that no student is disadvantaged due to logistical limitations.