Calcutta University has introduced changes to its undergraduate admission process by including marks obtained in the chosen major or related subject along with the best four subject scores for calculating the merit index.

The revised proposal will be submitted to the Higher Education Council for approval. As per a notification issued on Wednesday, student eligibility will now be determined by combining the scores of the top four subjects with the marks secured in the selected major or a related subject. Final rankings will be based on this combined score.

If a student has not studied the intended major or a related subject at the higher secondary level, the merit index will be calculated using only the best four subject scores.

Compulsory environmental studies will not be included in the calculation. However, if it was taken as an elective subject with full marks at the higher secondary level, it may be considered.

For admission to three-year multidisciplinary or general degree programmes, the merit index will continue to be based solely on the aggregate marks of the best four subjects.

University officials stated that the revised system reflects feedback from college authorities, who had raised concerns about excluding subject-specific performance. The updated method ensures that relevant subject scores are taken into account for major courses while maintaining a simpler approach for general programmes.

College administrators have welcomed the move, noting that it addresses concerns related to maintaining academic standards. Some institutions that previously focused mainly on subject-specific marks will now adopt the broader best-four-subject approach.

Meanwhile, minority institutions will continue with their existing admission criteria, placing emphasis on subject-specific performance for major course eligibility.