The UPSC has told the Delhi High Court that it will permit candidates from the hill districts of Manipur who have opted for Imphal as their examination centre to change it and that the state government will facilitate their travel.
The UPSC informed the Delhi High Court that candidates from Manipur’s hill districts, who initially selected Imphal as their exam center, can now change it. Additionally, the state government will assist them with travel arrangements.
The commission stated that these candidates have the option to select any center from the following locations: Aizawl, Mizoram; Kohima, Nagaland; Shillong, Meghalaya; Dispur, Assam; Jorhat, Assam; Kolkata, West Bengal; and Delhi. They can request a change of examination center via email from April 8 to April 19.
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The announcement was made following a request by the Zomi Students Federation to establish examination centers in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, located in the hill districts of Manipur, for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2024, and the Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination, 2024.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) stated, That due to the Manipur government’s inability to establish examination centers in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, it was not practical to open and manage examination venues there for the UPSC examination.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Stated,
“That due to the Manipur government’s inability to establish examination centers in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, it was not practical to open and manage examination venues there for the UPSC examination”
A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora in an order issued on Thursday Stated that,
“The counsel representing UPSC assured that candidates from Manipur’s hill districts, who selected Imphal as their examination center, can request a change of center between April 8, 2024, and April 19, 2024. This can be done by emailing their request to the address: uscsp-upsc@nic.in,”
In its order, the court also observed that the Manipur government has chosen to offer financial aid, including reimbursement for transportation expenses up to the second class sleeper railway fare or the designated bus fare of the State. Additionally, they will provide Rs 1,000 per day for a maximum of three days to cover food and accommodation expenses.
Read Also: No UPSC Exam in Manipur “2024 Exams Unfeasible”: Manipur tells Delhi High Court
The court also stated,
The candidates from these districts can contact the Commission’s toll-free helpline number 1800118711, added the court.
At the end of the case, the court agreed with the statements and promises made by both the Commission and the State of Manipur, saying they would be legally obliged to follow them.
In May 2023, Manipur experienced violence due to a High court ruling that instructed the state government to think about adding the non-tribal Meitei community to the Scheduled Tribes list.
The court’s decision led to extensive ethnic violence resulting in over 160 deaths and hundreds injured since the clashes began on May 3. The violence began during a ‘Tribal Solidarity March‘ in the hill districts, where conflicts arose over the Meitei community’s campaign for recognition as a Scheduled Tribe.
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