The re-establishment of the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) examination centre in Churachandpur, Manipur, has ignited controversy due to fears of widespread cheating, unethical practices, and inflated pass rates.
The Churachandpur centre is part of a larger initiative by the Manipur government to create 11 advanced IT centres throughout the state, backed by an investment of Rs 11 crore. These centres are designed to facilitate local access to national competitive examinations such as NEET, PG, Indian Army SSB, and SSC for students in areas affected by violence.
On September 5, 2024, the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) and the Tangkhul Katamnao Long Delhi (TKLD) student groups jointly addressed a letter to the SSC Chairman, advocating for the reinstatement of SSC centres in Churachandpur and Ukhrul. This reinstatement marks the initial phase in activating this infrastructure, with additional centres anticipated to follow, thereby ensuring fair access for all students, irrespective of their ethnic background.
However, the KSO’s narrative may exaggerate their influence and portray the reinstatement as a victory exclusive to the Kuki community, which is misleading and promotes inflated celebrations.
The controversy surrounding the Churachandpur SSC centre arises from social media assertions that its reinstatement will result in rampant cheating or guaranteed success for Kuki candidates. Nonetheless, these assertions lack foundation and overlook the historical context of SSC centres in Churachandpur and Ukhrul, which functioned without major malpractice concerns prior to their relocation in 2024.
The SSC examinations are conducted by third-party vendors following standardized protocols, including biometric verification, which significantly reduces the likelihood of localized fraud. The establishment of a local SSC centre in Churachandpur is expected to boost participation, enhancing opportunities for students in the region and fostering inclusivity.
Nevertheless, the creation of an examination centre in Churachandpur encounters obstacles such as insufficient infrastructure, the security of examination materials and candidates, and the association of Churachandpur with IT-related frauds and scams. The broader operational challenges faced by the SSC remain a concern.
