SSC Phase 13 Exam Centre Discrimination: Why Are Bengal Students Being Sent to Distant States Like Bihar and Assam?
InShort:
SSC Phase 13 Exam 2025: Bengal students face discrimination as their exam centres are allocated outside the state. Read how this sudden shift is affecting thousands and why students are demanding justice.
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Introduction: A Shock for Bengal Aspirants
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC), which has been a reliable recruiting body for central government posts, has recently come under fire. In the latest SSC Phase 13 recruitment exam, thousands of candidates from West Bengal are expressing anger, shock, and helplessness after discovering their exam centres have been allocated in faraway states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Assam.
For years, SSC has conducted exams at multiple centres across West Bengal — including Kolkata, Siliguri, Durgapur, and others. But this year, things took an unexpected turn. The sudden decision to assign centres outside the state, just days before the exam, has not only created logistical nightmares for the candidates but also raised serious concerns about fairness, transparency, and regional discrimination.
SSC Phase 13: What’s the Exam About?
SSC Phase 13 is a part of SSC's annual recruitment drive under the Selection Post category. It covers multiple Group ‘B’ and Group ‘C’ level posts across ministries and departments.
Candidates from all over India apply for the Phase-wise selection posts, and they are generally allowed to choose preferred exam centres during the application process.
But in 2025, something changed for Bengal aspirants.
The Core Issue: Centre Allocation Outside Bengal
Many candidates from West Bengal who applied for SSC Phase 13 in early 2025 had confidently chosen exam centres in their own state. However, when admit cards were finally released — just a few days before the exam date — they were shocked to find their centres assigned in cities far outside their state borders:
- Patna, Bihar
- Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Guwahati, Assam
For some, the distance between their home and exam centre exceeds 700–1000 km.
Why Is This a Big Problem?
Let’s break down how this impacts the candidates:
1. Last-Minute Announcement
The admit cards revealing these distant centres were released just a few days before the exam date. For many students, this meant they had no time to plan their travel or arrange accommodation.
2. No Reserved Tickets Available
Trains and buses between West Bengal and the other mentioned states are usually fully booked, especially during holiday seasons. Many candidates reported they couldn’t find reserved tickets or even general tickets to reach the destination in time.
3. High Travel and Stay Costs
Traveling to another state overnight, especially on short notice, involves significant expenses — ticket prices, food, and hotel stays. For students from economically weaker sections, this is a financial burden they cannot afford.
4. Safety Concerns
For female candidates or those traveling alone, going to unfamiliar cities in another state raises security concerns. With no family or acquaintances in the city, it becomes a stressful and risky experience.
5. Exam Performance Affected
When candidates have to travel overnight, without proper sleep, food, or peace of mind, it affects their mental state and exam performance. Even the most prepared candidate may not perform well under such pressure.
Students' Voices: "This Is Unfair, Discriminatory"
Here are real sentiments shared by many affected students on social media and various forums:
"Why do we even select preferred centres if SSC doesn’t care? There are enough centres in West Bengal. This is pure discrimination." – A Kolkata-based aspirant
"I got Bhubaneswar as my exam centre. There’s no train ticket available. I don’t even know how to reach there safely. Should I skip the exam?" – Siliguri-based candidate
"I feel betrayed. I studied so hard. But now I can't even attend the exam because I can’t afford the travel." – Bankura resident
Historical Reference: SSC Exams Were Always Held in Bengal
This is not the first time SSC is conducting this exam. Over the years, West Bengal has always been one of the zones with multiple active exam centres. Whether it's SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, or Selection Posts, Bengal centres have included:
- Kolkata
- Howrah
- Siliguri
- Durgapur
- Berhampore
- Asansol
- Kalyani
The sudden exclusion of these centres without any official explanation raises suspicion and frustration. If centres were available in previous years, why not now?
Why Are Bengal Students Being Targeted?
There is no official explanation yet from SSC, but here are a few speculated reasons and counterpoints:
1. Technical Glitch or Mismanagement?
It’s possible that SSC’s centre allocation system had a technical fault or was mismanaged, leading to faulty allocations. If so, it should be rectified immediately with transparent communication.
2. Intentional Discrimination?
Some believe this is a deliberate attempt to discourage Bengal candidates or lower the turnout from the state. Such targeting, if true, is unconstitutional and should be condemned by all.
3. Lack of Coordination with Local Centres
It could also be due to a breakdown of coordination between SSC and regional test centres in West Bengal. Still, the burden of poor planning should not fall on students.
The Call for Protest: Bengal Students Must Raise Their Voice
Many students are calling for peaceful protests, media attention, and legal action. Here's what they are demanding:
- Immediate Re-allocation of Centres within Bengal
- Extension of Exam Dates to allow travel time
- Public Statement from SSC explaining the issue
- Transparent Redressal Mechanism for grievances
Students are encouraged to:
- Share their experience on social media with hashtags like
#SSCCentreDiscrimination,#JusticeForBengalAspirants - Email and tag officials on X (formerly Twitter)
- File RTIs (Right to Information) to understand why this happened
- Form student unions or groups to raise a collective voice
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How Can Government and Media Help?
The media must play its role in amplifying this issue. Mainstream coverage can pressure SSC and concerned ministries to investigate and resolve the matter quickly.
Also, elected representatives from Bengal — MLAs, MPs, and Education Ministers — should take this issue seriously and raise it in appropriate forums, including Parliament.
SSC’s Responsibility: Time for Transparency and Fairness
SSC has a duty to ensure:
- Equal opportunity for all candidates
- Fair allocation of centres
- Advance communication and planning
A reputed organization like SSC cannot afford to lose the trust of lakhs of aspirants. Ignoring this issue could severely dent its credibility.
Final Thoughts: Let’s Stand Together for Justice
This isn’t just about one exam. It’s about equal rights, access to education, and fair treatment. If Bengal students — or any group of students — are being unfairly treated, it is the duty of all concerned citizens to support them.
Every aspirant deserves the right to appear in exams without unreasonable hurdles. Allocation of faraway centres on short notice is not only unfair — it borders on denial of opportunity.
Let’s raise our voice. Let’s demand justice. Let’s ensure SSC and other institutions do better for the future.
📢 UNITED CALL FOR JUSTICE!
✊ ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Bengal Students Deserve Equal Rights!
Thousands of Bengal candidates have been unfairly sent to exam centres in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha & Assam, while ample centres exist within Bengal. This is discrimination, not coincidence.
🗓️ DATE: 23rd JULY 2025 (Wednesday)
🕚 TIME: From 11:00 AM Onwards
📍 VENUE: SSC Eastern Region Office, Nizam Palace, Kolkata
🔥 LET’S ALL STUDENTS OF BENGAL RISE TOGETHER 🔥
🚫 Say NO to step-motherly treatment!
🗣️ Demand transparency, accountability & fair centre allocation!
📢 Bring your voice, bring your friends – Let’s make it loud, let’s make it count!
✅ SHARE this with every SSC aspirant you know!
✅ Use hashtags like
- #JusticeForBengalStudents
- #SSCPhase13Bias
- #BengalStudentsProtest
- #SSCCentreDiscrimination
- #SSCPhase13
- #ChangeExamCentre
- #SSCExamJustice
- Join Our Whatsapp Group For Latest Updates, Previous Year Questions Etc.
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Get Instant Job Alerts! Join NowFAQs
Q1. Can I request SSC to change my exam centre?
Ans: Officially, SSC does not entertain centre change requests after admit cards are released. However, if a large number of candidates raise the issue, SSC may consider special arrangements.
Q2. What should I do if I can’t travel?
Ans: If you're unable to attend, document everything (train ticket unavailability, financial constraints) and consider submitting grievances through SSC’s Helpdesk or filing an RTI.
Q3. Can legal action be taken?
Ans: If the issue appears discriminatory or violates Article 14 (Right to Equality), legal recourse through PIL (Public Interest Litigation) is possible. Consult with student groups or legal experts.
If you're an affected student, don’t stay silent. Speak up, join hands, and push for fairness. You deserve better.
