Nagaland students request UGC to exempt colleges in state from CUET

Dimapur: The All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) has appealed for exemption of Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for autonomous colleges in the state and those affiliated to Nagaland University (NU), for this academic year 2023-2024.

In a representation addressed to the state Chief Secretary, the ANCSU said the CUET will remove disparity between students from different boards, reduce the hassle of multiple examinations and bias evaluation, and enable students to pursue their field of interest with a fair opportunity and seek admission in best universities, but said the exercise can’t be implemented in Nagaland for various reasons.

“However, in Nagaland there are still operational difficulties to ardently implement CUET through online mode CBT (computer-based test). As there is no proper digital connectivity in many parts of Nagaland due to geographical condition/ hilly terrain, and even in areas where access to internet is available, there is no consistency and stability of network because of poor electricity,” the union stated.

While informing that the National Testing Agency has identified 523 Common Service Centres (CSC) across 10 districts in Nagaland for conducting CUET exam, the student body claimed that many CSC/facilitation centres are “not operating” due to internet connection issue.

It added that some districts, especially in far-flung locations, don’t have CSC/facilitation centres.

Citing these issues, the ANCSU appealed to the Chief Secretary to request the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Ministry of Education to consider the case and exempt the autonomous colleges and those affiliated to NU from the purview of CUET, and allow students to take admission in its affiliated colleges like in the past, for the academic year 2023-2024.

The ANCSU expressed hope that the concerned authority will consider the welfare of student community and not jeopardize their career.