IMPHAL, Aug. 5: The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has submitted an urgent representation to the Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University, calling for the immediate operationalisation of the ST/SC Cell, a review of the CUET-only postgraduate admission policy, and the establishment of examination centres in the hill districts.
In a memorandum submitted to the Vice-Chancellor on August 5, ANSAM said the three issues are of critical importance to tribal students and require immediate institutional intervention. The Association congratulated the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor while expressing confidence that his leadership would strengthen equity, inclusiveness and social justice within the university.
Highlighting its first demand, ANSAM stated that despite the University Grants Commission’s mandate, the ST/SC Cell at Manipur University continues to function only in a nominal capacity. It urged the university to fully operationalise the Cell without further delay to ensure effective implementation of reservation policies, monitor the welfare of ST/SC students and staff, and establish a functional grievance redressal mechanism.
The Association also sought a review of the university’s decision to adopt the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) as the sole criterion for postgraduate admissions. It argued that the exclusive reliance on CUET has created significant barriers for students from remote and underprivileged tribal regions, where access to coaching facilities, digital infrastructure and stable internet connectivity remains limited.
According to ANSAM, the present system disproportionately disadvantages tribal students and undermines the principle of equal access to higher education. It requested the university to consider alternative or supplementary admission mechanisms that would ensure a more inclusive and equitable admission process.
Expressing concern over the absence of examination centres in the hill districts, ANSAM said students from these regions are compelled to travel long distances to appear for university examinations, placing a heavy financial and logistical burden on them. The Association urged the university to establish examination centres in all hill district headquarters to guarantee equal educational access for students residing in remote areas.
The memorandum further cited provisions of the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Amendment Act, 2012, to support its demand for greater institutional inclusiveness and equitable access to higher education.
Concluding the representation, ANSAM appealed to the Vice-Chancellor to address the issues with urgency, stating that timely intervention would reaffirm Manipur University’s commitment to constitutional values, social justice and the welfare of tribal students.
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