Shillong, May 06: The Jaintia Student Movement today has written to Meghalaya Chief Minister Mr. Conrad K Sangma requesting the government to set up CUET centre in Jowai in the coming year 2026-27.
In the letter the Jaintia Students’ Movement (JSM), representing the student community of East & West Jaintia Hills Districts, submits this memorandum seeking urgent redressal of the long-pending demand for a CUET (UG) Examination Centre in Jaintia Hills.
In the letter the JSM has show that Jaintia Hills comprises two districts with 65+ Higher Secondary Schools and over 11,000 Class XII students appearing annually.
Since 2024, JSM has submitted repeated representations requesting a CUET Centre in Jowai vide letters Ref. No. JSM/CB/GOVT/2024/01 dated 18th Jan 2024, Ref. No. JSM/WR/Edu/2025/04 dated Jowai,the 24th March 2025, Ref. No. JSM-CB/Gen-Edu/2025/13 Dated: Jowai, the 8/07/2025 and Ref. No. JSM-CB/Gen-Edu/2025/13/DC Dated: Jowai, the 21/07/2025
The absence of a centre compels students to travel 180-300 km to Shillong/Ri-Bhoi/Tura/Assam etc…, causing a financial burden of ₹4000-₹6000 per student. This has resulted in hundreds of rural, economically weaker students skipping CUET, thereby losing eligibility for FYUP in NEHU & affiliated colleges.
The denial of accessible examination facilities is contrary to, Article 14 and Article 21 of the Constitution* – Right to Equality and Right to Life, which includes the right to education and equal opportunity.
National Education Policy 2020, Para 4.4 – which mandates equitable access to quality higher education and reduction of regional disparities. Principle of Non-Discrimination* – Students of Khasi Hills & Ri-Bhoi have centres within 50 km, while Jaintia Hills students are placed at a disadvantage.
The JSM urged the state government, Establish CUET(UG) Exam Centre in Jowai/Khliehriat:* The Government of Meghalaya shall take up the matter with the National Testing Agency (NTA) on priority and notify Jowai or Khliehriat as a CUET(UG) Examination Centre for CUET(UG) 2026 and all subsequent cycles.
One-Time Exemption for Academic Year 2026-27:* If the Government/NTA is unable to operationalize a CUET Centre in Jaintia Hills for CUET(UG) 2026, then as a one-time special measure, students from East and West Jaintia Hills Districts shall be exempted from the CUET Score requirement for admission into the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) for Academic Session 2026-27.
In such case, admissions shall be granted based on Class XII Board marks, as was done prior to CUET implementation. This exemption is sought only for the current year and only for students who passed Class XII from schools located in Jaintia Hills, to prevent academic loss due to administrative constraints.
Considering that FYUP admissions commence in June 2026, we request the Government to issue a clear written order on or before 11th May 2026 stating, Whether CUET(UG) 2026 Centre in Jowai/Khliehriat will be allotted, or Whether one-time exemption for FYUP 2026-27 will be granted to Jaintia Hills students.
A timely decision is essential to end uncertainty and allow students to prepare accordingly. JSM supports CUET. We demand equal opportunity to appear for CUET. If the State is unable to provide that opportunity this year, it becomes the State’s responsibility to ensure students are not penalised.
They urge the state Government to intervene personally and issue necessary directions to NTA and NEHU within the stipulated time. The student community has exhausted all channels of representation over the past two years.
If no favourable order is received by 11.05.2026, JSM will be constrained to resort to democratic forms of agitation across Jaintia Hills in defense of students’ right to education.
