SRINAGAR: Hundreds of candidates from Kashmir could miss the upcoming C-MAT exams as travelling to Jammu where the test centres have been established has become nearly impossible due to inclement weather.
The National testing Agency (NTA) had designated the exam centres for Common Management Admission test (CMAT) in Jammu which is likely to cost the aspirants their opportunity to appear in the exams in view of the inclement weather and closure of Jammu-Srinagar highway.
As per a notification, the exam will be conducted by NTA on January 28 in two shifts: 9.30 am to 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm.
NTA is conducting the CMAT exams for the first time this year. Earlier, AICTE conducted the test.
The aggrieved aspirants blamed the exam conducting body for step-motherly treatment to Kashmiri students. “Why our exam centres can’t be set up in the valley. Our centres can be set up in KU, IUST or any colleges of Srinagar,” said Muhammad Arif, one of the aspirants.
The candidates are in a fix as the Jammu-Srinagar remained closed for the vehicular movement for the fourth straight day while as air fares have been also hiked. “We cannot afford costly air tickets and accommodation in Jammu,” he said.
Earlier, scores of NET aspirants missed the exams as they couldn’t leave valley due to inclement weather.
Recently, Kashmiri candidates set to appear in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) had also demanded that their exam centres should be set up within the Valley.
The demand was put forth owing to the inclement weather which results in frequent closure of Jammu-Srinagar highway. Even though a letter was sent to the office of Chief Secretary from the office of divisional commissioner but the issue is yet to be resolved, leaving candidates in despair.
GATE is an All-India examination administered and conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and seven Indian Institutes of Technology on behalf of the National Coordinating Board – GATE, Department of Education in ministry of human resources development (MHRD).