CUET: Centre likely to exempt M’laya

SHILLONG, May 2: In a big relief to the students, the Centre is likely to exempt the non-centrally funded/private colleges and state government-aided colleges in Meghalaya from the purview of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma announced on social media on Monday.
Education Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui said the decision followed Sangma’s meeting with Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday.
According to Rymbui, since the announcement of CUET, the state government held a series of meetings with the Centre urging it to exempt Meghalaya from the exam on the grounds that almost all colleges in the state are affiliated to a single university (NEHU).
However, for courses run by NEHU within its premises, the students will have to appear for CUET.
“This is a big relief for our students. In the absence of (examination) Centres, it would have been difficult for our students,” Rymbui said.
CUET is being introduced for admission to all undergraduate courses in Central universities.
It will provide a common platform and equal opportunities to candidates across the country, especially those from rural and other remote areas and help establish better connections with the universities. A single exam will enable the candidates to cover a wide outreach and be part of the admission process to various Central universities.
The University Grants Commission, by its letter dated March 27, 2022, informed the Vice-Chancellors of all Central universities that the National Testing Agency has been assigned to conduct CUET.
The announcement of CUET had caused a huge confusion among the students in the state.
Taking cognisance of their difficulties, some MLAs, like Ampareen Lyngdoh and Mohendro Rapsang, had asked the candidates from their constituencies to contact them for completing the process.