MP Demands NDA Exam Centre in Kolhapur for Students

Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Dhananjay Mahadik formally requested the Central Government to establish a National Defence Academy (NDA) exam centre in Kolhapur. Mahadik met with Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh to hand over a representation outlining the challenges faced by local aspirants. Currently, students from Western Maharashtra and neighboring Konkan regions must travel long distances to major cities like Pune or Mumbai to appear for the defense entrance exam. This geographic gap creates financial and logistical hurdles for thousands of young candidates every year.

Western Maharashtra has a rich military tradition with a high number of youth aiming to join the Indian Armed Forces. The absence of a local exam venue forces students from rural backgrounds to spend significant money on travel and overnight lodging. Establishing a permanent centre in Kolhapur would directly benefit aspirants from Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Sindhudurg, and Ratnagiri districts. The move would make national-level defense careers far more accessible to candidates from economically weaker sections.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh assured the delegation that the Personnel Ministry would evaluate the feasibility of the request. The proposal will go to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which conducts the national NDA entrance examinations twice a year. If approved, the local administration will need to identify secure educational institutions in Kolhapur capable of hosting the exams. Local student communities have welcomed the initiative, hoping for a positive decision before the next examination cycle.