Manipur: Churachandpur Nurses Fear Missing NORCET-11 Over Imphal Exam Centre
Around 150–200 registered nurses from Churachandpur district may miss the upcoming Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test (NORCET-11) after Imphal was designated as the only examination centre in Manipur.
Nursing aspirants from the district say the ongoing ethnic conflict has made travelling to Imphal a serious safety concern. The nearest alternative, Aizawl in Mizoram, is around 384 km away and requires a journey of nearly 12–13 hours, making it difficult for many candidates to appear for the examination.
Many nurses working in local hospitals said travelling to Aizawl would require three to four days away from duty, along with expenses for transportation and accommodation. With relatively low salaries, several candidates said they cannot afford the additional costs. Aspirants estimate that only 15–20 nurses from Churachandpur may be able to travel to Mizoram.
Demand for an Exam Centre in Churachandpur
The candidates have approached local MLAs and the Churachandpur Deputy Commissioner over the issue. District authorities have taken up the matter, while Kuki-Zo MLAs have also written to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and AIIMS, New Delhi, seeking intervention. However, the aspirants said they have not yet received a response.
The nurses have urged authorities to establish a NORCET-11 examination centre in Churachandpur, stating that the district has the necessary technical infrastructure to conduct a computer-based examination.
For many candidates, the issue is not simply about travel distance but safety, financial hardship and professional responsibilities. Nurses working in hospitals may also find it difficult to take several days off for an examination outside the state.
Aspirants further said repeated difficulties in accessing the examination could affect candidates approaching the upper age limit. The current age limit is 30 years, with relaxation up to 35 years for SC and ST candidates.
The nurses are therefore seeking an accessible examination centre within Churachandpur so that eligible candidates can participate in NORCET-11 without facing security, financial and employment-related barriers.
