Indian Maritime University (IMU), which conducts the IMU CET for admissions to marine and Merchant Navy courses, has left several candidates anxious after allotting exam centres far from their homes. Not just this, the central university established through Act 22 of Parliament in November 2008, has assigned some candidate centres that weren’t even among their selected preferences just days before the test. The admit cards for IMU CET 2025 were released on May 14.
According to cartoonist Manjul, one acquaintance who had chosen exam centres in Mumbai, Pune, Surat, and Nashik was unexpectedly allotted Jaipur. Another candidate was asked to report to Jamshedpur. This has raised concerns about the high travel and accommodation costs candidates have to bear while making last-minute bookings.
“An acquaintance from Mumbai applied for admission to the Indian Maritime University. His entrance exam is on the 24th. Despite selecting exam centres in Mumbai, Pune, Surat, and Nasik, he has been allotted a centre in Jaipur,” Manjul wrote on X (formerly Twitter) while tagging the varsity’s official social media handle.
He further said, “Another friend of his has been asked to report in Jamshedpur,” before highlighting that the candidates will bear the brunt.
“They were informed of this today, just six days before the exam. Now, they have to make travel arrangements and spend ₹25,000–₹30,000, assuming each candidate will be accompanied by a guardian,” he stated.
He further questioned the authorities, asking if this was a deliberate attempt to “prevent candidates from appearing” in the exams. Many in the comments section expressed the same concern.
An acquaintance from Mumbai applied for admission to Indian Maritime University (@IMU_HQ). His entrance exam is on the 24th. Despite selecting exam centres in Mumbai, Pune, Surat, and Nasik, he has been allotted a centre in Jaipur.
— MANJUL (@MANJULtoons) May 18, 2025
Another friend of his has been asked to report…
When he learnt that the exams would be conducted online, he, while replying to his post, expressed, “I’m surprised they couldn’t find enough computers in Mumbai, and instead asked students to report 1,100 to 1,700 km away from the city – and that too on such short notice.”
IMU has yet to respond to the issue.
Others echo similar concerns
Many flocked to the comments section of his post and shared their thoughts. “Yes. My nephew, who had given Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Goa as centres, has been given Indore. His friend has got J&K…,” commented one social media user.
Another joined, “It is torture for students. Students should be given comfort and convenience for peace of mind….”
“Nothing new, have seen folks from small tier 7-8 towns in Jharkhand reaching exam centres in another part of India by any means, struggle is real,” said a third.
Another chimed in, “Similar things happened with NEET PG exams last year. Candidates had travelled a few hundred kms to answer the exam, and it was postponed just 12 hrs prior. Later, a new date, candidates from Goa were allotted centres in Hyderabad at short notice, and some even in Lucknow. Exams were online.”
“My daughter is appearing for NIFTEE (NIFT Entrance Examination). The mess NTA has created this year with dates is incredible. Every plan of thousands of students has gone for a six, not to mention money held up by private colleges,” expressed yet another Internet user.
“This has been a pattern for a lot of government exams over the last few years,” wrote Pankhuri Pathak.