**Summary:**
In response to concerns regarding the lack of online examination centers in the Union Territory of Ladakh, the Ministry of Finance addressed Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3484 on August 11, 2025. Shri Mohmad Haneefa raised the issue of Ladakhi candidates being compelled to travel to Jammu, Srinagar, or other distant locations to appear for recruitment examinations conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) and other banking institutions.
The Ministry, through the Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, clarified that IBPS, a test conducting agency for Public Sector Banks (PSBs), allots examination centers based on the number of applications received and logistical/administrative considerations. IBPS has notified Leh and Kargil in Ladakh as examination centers for upcoming banking recruitment examinations in 2025. Examinations are not conducted during adverse climatic conditions.
Regarding departmental and promotional examinations, banks reimburse travel, lodging, and boarding expenses for employees posted in Ladakh who are required to travel outside the UT, in accordance with their eligibility. Furthermore, banks strive to provide equitable access to employment opportunities for candidates from remote regions, including the youth of Ladakh, based on their business requirements.
Key Entities Referenced
Ladakh: A Union Territory of India, formerly part of Jammu and Kashmir, where candidates face difficulty accessing online examination centers.
Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS): A test conducting agency engaged by member organisations including Public Sector Banks for conducting recruitment examinations.
Jammu: A city in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India, where candidates from Ladakh are compelled to travel for recruitment examinations.
Srinagar: A city in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India, where candidates from Ladakh are compelled to travel for recruitment examinations.
Ministry of Finance: The Indian government ministry responsible for financial matters, answering the question in the Lok Sabha.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question regarding online examination centres in Ladakh was raised.
Pankaj Chaudhary: Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, who provided the answer to the question.
Leh Kargil: Cities in Ladakh that have been notified as the examination centres for the upcoming banking recruitment examination in the year 2025.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3484
ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 11 AUGUST, 2025 / 20 SRAVANA, 1947 (SAKA)
ONLINE EXAMINATION CENTRES IN LADAKH
3484. SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA:
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that candidates from the UT of Ladakh aspiring to appear in
recruitment examinations conducted by IBPS and other banking institutions are compelled to travel
to Jammu, Srinagar or other far-off locations due to the absence of examination centres in Ladakh;
(b) if so, whether the Government proposes to set up permanent centres for conducting online
examination in Ladakh for the convenience of aspirants, keeping in view the geographical isolation,
harsh climatic conditions and high travel costs;
(c) whether the Government proposes to issue directions to the banks to conduct departmental and
promotional exams for employees posted in Ladakh within the UT itself; and;
(d) the steps taken by the Government to address this issue and to ensure equitable access to
employment opportunities for the youth in Ladakh?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (d): Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) is a test conducting agency engaged by
the member organisations including Public Sector Banks (PSBs) for conducting recruitment
examinations. The candidates while applying for the recruitment examinations opt for an
examination centre and based on the number of applications received, IBPS allots the examination
centre to accommodate the candidates for examinations. The availability and allocation of
examination centres are determined by IBPS based on the logistical and administrative
considerations.
As per IBPS, Leh & Kargil in Ladakh have been notified as the examination centres for the
upcoming banking recruitment examination in the year 2025. IBPS has also informed that no
examinations are conducted in adverse climatic conditions.
For the departmental and promotional examinations, in case the employees are required to
travel outside Ladakh, banks reimburse expenses incurred on travelling including lodging and
boarding, as per their respective eligibility. Further, in order to ensure inclusive recruitment, banks
(as per their business requirements) consistently strive to provide equitable access to employment
opportunities for candidates from remote regions, including the youth of Ladakh.
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