Imphal: The Centre has, for the first time, approved a proposal to establish a Civil Services (Mains) Examination Centre of the Union Public Service Commission in Imphal, with the facility set to become operational from 2026.
In a social media post, Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba expressed gratitude to the Government of India, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for approving the move.
He said the decision would significantly benefit civil service aspirants from Manipur by easing travel hardships and reducing financial burden. The development is being viewed as a major step toward improving access to competitive examinations in the state.
The opening of the examination centre in Imphal has been widely welcomed by students and guardians.
Sanajaoba had first raised the demand for a UPSC (Mains) Examination Centre in Imphal through a Special Mention in the Rajya Sabha on March 22, 2021. He later wrote to the Prime Minister on August 10, 2022, seeking sympathetic consideration for aspirants who were forced to travel long distances to appear for the examination.
On February 8, 2023, he also raised concerns in Parliament regarding candidates opting for Manipuri language and literature, seeking permission for them to write their optional paper in both Meetei Mayek and Bengali scripts. Following his intervention, candidates were allowed to answer in either script.
ALSO READ: Manipur: Women protest against MLA LM Khaute; clash with security forces
However, during the recent Budget Session of Parliament, he reiterated that the question papers for the Manipuri optional subject continue to be printed only in the Bengali script, posing difficulties for candidates educated exclusively in Meetei Mayek.
