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I Chose Madurai. They Gave Me Kollam. I Paid ₹850. And I’m Never Applying Again.



Some lessons in life don’t come from books or teachers — they come from bitter experiences.

And one of mine arrived wrapped inside a hall ticket.

Like thousands of other hopefuls, I applied for the IOB LBO exam last month. The exam was conducted by IBPS on behalf of Indian Overseas Bank. I was serious about it — I prepared, followed every instruction, and when the time came to select an exam center, I chose Madurai. A city close to home. Familiar. Manageable.

I paid ₹850 as the application fee — not a small amount, but one I was willing to spend for the chance at a better future.

Then came the twist.

When The Hall Ticket Arrived…

I opened it with nervous excitement, expecting to see “Madurai” under Exam Center.

Instead, it read:
Kollam, Kerala.

Yes. A completely different state. Over 350 km away.
No prior warning. No explanation. Just a location I never asked for.

I sat there stunned. I double-checked my application to make sure I hadn’t made a mistake.

I hadn’t.

I followed the process.
I selected my center carefully.
I did everything right.

But in the end, my choice didn’t matter.

I Reached Out — and Got a Robotic Reply

Still trying to stay calm, I contacted IBPS to understand why this happened.

This is what I got in return:

“Candidates who opted for a particular centre of exam might not be accommodated therein for reasons beyond the control of IBPS. Such candidates will be allotted other centres. Candidates have to appear for the examination at the allotted Centre only.”

That’s it.
A copy-paste line that basically says:
We don’t care what you chose. Deal with it.

No apology.
No refund.
No concern.

So I Made a Decision: I’m Not Going.

I won’t book expensive last-minute trains.
I won’t spend more money on food and stay.
I won’t stress myself out for an exam that couldn’t even respect my basic preference.

And more importantly,
I will not apply again.

This ₹850 may be gone — but the lesson I learned is far more valuable.

The Real Question: Why Ask for Preferences?

This is what truly baffles me.

If IBPS knew they couldn’t guarantee our chosen centers,
why ask at all?

Why give us the illusion of choice?
Why let us plan our lives around a preference that clearly holds no weight?

If there’s a chance we might be sent across state borders, the least they can do is warn us during application. Let us decide if it’s worth it.

Because this — what they’ve done — feels like nothing short of deception.

What I’m Taking With Me (Besides the Frustration)

  • Never place blind trust in a system that doesn’t value your time, money, or effort.

  • ₹850 might be gone, but so is my willingness to tolerate broken processes.

  • Peace of mind is worth more than any certificate.

My Final Words

To those still going ahead with the exam: I wish you strength and clarity.

But for me, this is where the road ends.
No more IBPS exams. No more blind trust.

Sometimes, walking away is not giving up.
It’s choosing yourself.

Thank you for the lesson, IBPS.
You’ve ensured I’ll never apply again.