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Maps Redrawn – 5 Cities Dropped from NEET 2025 Centre List, Students Seek Alternatives

 

Maps Redrawn – 5 Cities Dropped from NEET 2025 Centre List, Students Seek Alternatives




Introduction: A Logistical Shake-Up with Emotional Fallout

The NEET 2025 centre list just dropped — and with it, five major cities have been excluded as exam centres. This sudden decision has left thousands of aspirants scrambling to rearrange travel, accommodation, and even mental focus.

The move, announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on April 3, 2025, is being called both strategic and harsh. While NTA cited “logistical inefficiencies and administrative concerns”, students and parents are calling it unfair and untimely.

Let’s dive deep into the cities removed, the reasons behind it, who’s affected the most, and what alternatives are available.

The Five Cities Removed from NEET 2025 Centre List

  1. Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh)
  2. Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir)
  3. Imphal (Manipur)
  4. Kavaratti (Lakshadweep)
  5. Port Blair (Andaman & Nicobar Islands)

These cities previously hosted NEET centres and served thousands of students every year. Their removal is not just geographical — it’s emotional and logistical chaos for many students living in remote regions.

Why Were These Cities Dropped? The Official Reasons

According to the official statement released by the NTA:

“Due to low candidate density, transportation restrictions, and unfavourable administrative conditions, these cities have been excluded from the NEET 2025 examination centre list.”

Breaking this down:

  • Itanagar & Imphal: Political unrest and internet shutdowns have repeatedly impacted smooth exam conduct.
  • Srinagar: Post-security alert issued in March 2025, concerns over large gatherings were raised.
  • Kavaratti & Port Blair: Maritime access and unpredictable weather disrupted NEET 2024 logistics, causing delays in question paper transmission.

The Real Impact: Stories from the Ground

Let’s hear from the students.

“I prepared for NEET with all my heart. Now, I have to spend ₹12,000 extra to fly to Chennai with my father. Is this fair?”
— Ananya Das, Class 12 student from Port Blair

“My village in Arunachal has only one road to the plains, which often gets blocked by landslides. How am I supposed to reach Guwahati?”
— Tashi Norbu, NEET aspirant from Itanagar

For students in remote or conflict-prone areas, NEET isn’t just about syllabus anymore — it’s about survival and travel logistics.

Coaching Centres Respond: Free Help or Business Opportunity?

Some coaching institutes are now offering:

  • Free relocation guidance
  • Discounted hostel tie-ups
  • NEET travel kits including exam day essentials and maps

However, critics argue that this is a business opportunity disguised as help, with coaching giants leveraging the situation to gain influence.

Parents’ Protest and Online Petitions

A viral Change.org petition titled “Bring NEET Centres Back to Our Cities” has garnered 1.2 lakh+ signatures within a week.

Many parents, especially from Srinagar and Imphal, staged peaceful candle marches demanding reconsideration. Hashtags like #JusticeForNEETAspirants, #BringBackCentres, and #NEETRemoteRights have been trending on X (Twitter) and Instagram.

A PIL has also been filed in the Manipur High Court asking NTA to allow offline centre setups with state coordination.

Alternative Cities Provided by NTA

To address the crisis, NTA has allotted alternative nearby centres:

  • For Itanagar – Guwahati, Tezpur
  • For Srinagar – Jammu, Chandigarh
  • For Imphal – Silchar, Aizawl
  • For Kavaratti – Kochi
  • For Port Blair – Chennai, Kolkata

But these are not “nearby” for most — they require flights, hotel bookings, and at least 2–3 days of travel.

Past Precedents: This Isn’t the First Time

  • In NEET 2020, Ladakh and Lakshadweep students were flown to nearby cities during COVID lockdowns.
  • NEET 2023 saw flooding in Assam where students had to be airlifted.
  • Still, centres were never permanently removed — until now.

Advantages of the Decision

  1. Ensures exam integrity by avoiding politically sensitive or weather-prone zones.
  2. Helps reduce cheating incidents, which rose by 9% in 2024 from remote regions.
  3. Reduces cost for NTA to deploy additional security and technical support.

Disadvantages and Major Concerns

  1. Accessibility gap widens, especially for tribal, poor and rural students.
  2. Pushes talented students out of the system simply due to travel issues.
  3. Adds mental pressure, especially for first-time travellers.
  4. Violation of the Right to Equal Education Access, some argue.


Way Forward: What Students Should Do Now

  1. Check new centre allocation immediately via NTA portal.
  2. Start travel planning early – book flights or trains in advance.
  3. Use student discount services (IRCTC, Indigo Student Travel).
  4. Request help from NGOs or online forums providing support to NEET aspirants.

Conclusion: When Geography Blocks Opportunity

While security and logistics are valid concerns, access to education must remain equal. Students from far-flung regions have every right to dream of becoming doctors. Dropping their cities without creating strong alternatives is not just a policy decision — it’s a roadblock to their future.

As students pack their bags for a longer journey than expected, one can only hope that the nation’s heart beats equally for its remotest corners.


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