Exam Centre Far From Home? Planning Travel for a Government Exam

Centre allotment is one of the few parts of a recruitment you cannot control, so the useful question is how to plan around it.

How centres are allotted

You give city preferences in the form. Allotment depends on capacity in each city and the order of application in some systems, which is one reason to apply early. A preference is a request, not a guarantee.

Can a centre be changed?

Rarely. Requests are entertained only in defined situations, such as a clash with another notified exam or a documented disability, and only when made well before the exam.

Use the city intimation slip

Many boards release the exam city a week or more before the admit card. Book refundable travel as soon as it appears.

The day before

• Reach the city a day early if the journey is longer than three hours.
• Visit the centre or check the route at the same time of day as your shift.
• Stay within reach of the centre; morning traffic is unpredictable.

Free travel

Some recruitments offer a travel concession or free railway pass to SC and ST candidates on production of the admit card. The notification says so where it applies.

City slips and admit cards are tracked on the Govtpvt admit card page. For what to carry, see the exam checklist.