Manipur Governor Petitioned to Establish State Civil Service Exam Venue in Churachandpur by Kuki Students
In recent times, several national-level exams have been successfully conducted in the district of Churachandpur, Manipur. However, the Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC) mains exam for 2025 is currently limited to only two centers: Imphal and Guwahati. This decision has sparked controversy, as student organizations, including the Kuki Students’ Organisation–General Headquarters (KSO-GHQ), argue that it places a significant burden on candidates from hill districts like Churachandpur.
The rationale behind this decision is not explicitly detailed, but it is likely due to logistical, administrative, or security considerations, given the ongoing ethnic conflict and unrest in Manipur. The concentration of exam centers in Imphal and Guwahati is aimed at ensuring smoother conduct and security management of the exam.
However, the arrangement poses undue physical, psychological, and financial hardship for aspirants from the Kuki community. Many hill-based Kuki candidates have missed past exams due to the exclusive location of exam centers in Imphal during unrest. The KSO-GHQ has formally urged the Manipur Governor to facilitate holding the MPSC mains exam at a center in Churachandpur district to promote inclusivity, fairness, and equal opportunity for all aspirants.
Churachandpur has successfully conducted other national-level exams such as UGC-NET, NEET, SSC, and banking exams peacefully, demonstrating its readiness as an exam venue. To enable the MPSC mains exam to be held in Churachandpur, several steps could be taken.
Firstly, the MPSC and state administration could formally recognise Churachandpur as a suitable exam center after consulting local stakeholders and security agencies. Secondly, the organizers could deploy necessary infrastructure, invigilation staff, and security arrangements modeled on previous successful exams conducted there. Thirdly, communication and dissemination of exam center details must be updated promptly to ensure candidates from the hill districts can register for and access the Churachandpur center. Finally, authorities should engage with community groups to assure safety and prevent disruptions during the exam period.
The KSO's request to Governor AK Bhalla is aimed at restoring trust in the democratic institutions of the state. It reaffirms the commitment that no deserving youth is left behind due to circumstances beyond their control. A civil service aspirant in Churachandpur expressed that holding the MPSC mains exam in her district would be helpful, as traveling to Guwahati for the exam would take a minimum of three days for some candidates, making it physically and financially draining.
The KSO believes that holding the MPSC exam in Churachandpur will ensure fairness and justice for all aspirants. They are confident that the state-level MPSC exams can also be conducted in Churachandpur efficiently. The Kuki tribes, who are avoiding the valley area due to security concerns, have stated they will not allow Meiteis to pass through their areas until their demand for a separate administration is met. The National Highway that passes through the valley leads to Nagaland and Assam, while Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, has an airport.
In summary, the call for inclusivity and fairness in the Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC) mains exam is gaining momentum. The KSO-GHQ's request to Governor AK Bhalla to hold the exam in Churachandpur district is a significant step towards ensuring equal opportunity for all aspirants amid ongoing ethnic unrest.
The Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC) mains exam controversy has moved into the realm of politics and general-news, with student organizations such as the Kuki Students’ Organisation–General Headquarters (KSO-GHQ) advocating for a fairer examination system. The KSO-GHQ has formally urged the Manipur Governor to facilitate holding the MPSC mains exam at a center in Churachandpur district to promote inclusivity and equal opportunity for all aspirants.
To enable the MPSC mains exam to be held in Churachandpur, several steps could be taken, including officially recognizing Churachandpur as a suitable exam center after consulting local stakeholders and security agencies, deploying necessary infrastructure and security arrangements, promptly updating exam center details, and engaging with community groups to assure safety and prevent disruptions during the exam period. This move could help restore trust in the democratic institutions of the state and reaffirm the commitment that no deserving youth is left behind due to circumstances beyond their control.
