In a major step towards facilitating the youth of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Advisor, Dr Pawan Kotwal chaired a meeting on the establishment of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres in Leh and Kargil at the Civil Secretariat on November 21.

Setting up of the CBTs shall allow the National Testing Agency (NTA), Government of India, to conduct national examinations like CUET, UGC NET, JEE, etc in Ladakh. The meeting deliberated on the establishment of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres in Leh and Kargil, for holding examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) from next year.

Advisor Dr Pawan Kotwal directed for establishment of the CBTs in Ladakh by January 2024 so that all exams conducted by NTA from the year 2024, with considerable applicants from Ladakh, can be held in Leh and Kargil centres. He said that the proposed CBT Centres in Leh and Kargil will be crucial facilitating factors for the youth of Ladakh.

Commissioner Secretary of Higher Education, Padma Angmo earlier briefed the Advisor that NTA requires a minimum of 100 nodes (computers) available in a single premise along with an internet facility for sanctioning a centre as CBT centre for the national level examinations. She also thanked the National Testing Agency and the Government of India for agreeing to sanction centres in the Leh and Kargil districts.

Deputy Commissioner Kargil, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse briefed regarding the availability of space and computers in the two adjoining premises of Govt Degree College Kargil and ITI Kargil. Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Leh Shabir Hussain briefed regarding the availability of adequate space and computers in the Employment Office, Leh that can be set up as CBT for the exams.  

Director, NTA,  Varun Bhardwaj said that NTA will extend all possible technical support to the District Administration in setting up the CBTs and shall send a technical team next week to assess the availability of space and computers in the identified premises by the District Administration.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous commitment to expedite the necessary preparations and create an environment conducive to the success of the NTA CBT Centres in Leh and Kargil.