Maharashtra CET: Konkan Students Assigned Far-Off Centres, Raise Concerns
Several students from Maharashtra’s Konkan region are facing the challenge of travelling hundreds of kilometres for their Common Entrance Test (CET) in 2025, despite assurances that most candidates have been assigned their preferred exam centres. Many students from districts like Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg have been allocated centres in Dombivli and Mira Road, raising concerns about travel, accommodation, and additional stress just days before the exam.
Parents and students have expressed frustration over the allocation, as they were hoping for centres within their own districts. One such student, Rohan Sawant (name changed) from Sindhudurg, who was assigned his third preference, shared his concerns. “We were confident that we would get a centre within our district, but now we have no choice but to travel a long distance just before the exam. We will have to reach Mira Road a day in advance, which adds to our stress. This was not the preference we had in mind,” he said.
However, the Maharashtra CET Cell has defended the allocation process, stating that over 96% of candidates have been given their first-choice centres, and no student was assigned a centre outside their selected preferences.
Commissioner of CET Cell, Dileep Sardesai, explained the logistical constraints that influenced the allocation. “These are computer-based tests (CBT), which require specific infrastructure such as computer labs. Unlike pen-and-paper exams, we need to distribute students proportionally across Maharashtra based on available resources. Smaller towns have limited labs that can accommodate these exams. For approximately 1,500 students, we need around 10 different centres,” he said.
According to official figures, 3,01,073 students registered for the PCB CET. Among them, 2,89,986 candidates (96.32%) received their first-choice centres, while 9,029 (3%) were given their second preference. Only 2,058 students (0.68%) were assigned their third preference.
“We prioritised security and convenience, particularly for female candidates, who have overwhelmingly received their first-choice centres. Our team has worked to ensure that every student gets the nearest possible centre within their selected preferences,” Sardesai added.
Despite these clarifications, students from remote regions argue that they are still left with no choice but to undertake extensive travel, which adds unnecessary pressure during an already stressful examination period.
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