UG Admission Crisis in West Bengal: Principals to Meet Bratya Basu

College principals from across West Bengal plan to voice their concerns to Education Minister Bratya Basu regarding delays in launching the centralised portal for undergraduate admissions during a meeting scheduled for May 25.

The minister is expected to attend the annual session of the All Bengal Principals’ Council, a collective forum of college heads, where the issue will be formally raised. Principals from state-run and government-aided institutions are particularly troubled by the delay, especially since private and autonomous colleges have already begun their admission processes earlier in May.

Manas Kabi, principal of Asutosh College and secretary of the Council's Calcutta University unit, noted that the absence of a functional online portal is affecting public colleges’ ability to compete for top-performing students. He attributed the delay to the state government awaiting legal guidance on matters related to OBC reservations.

The High Court recently overturned a government directive that had granted OBC status to 77 communities, a ruling now being reviewed by the Supreme Court. While the state has initiated steps to re-examine and possibly redefine OBC classifications, the legal opinion necessary to proceed with admissions has not yet been issued.

Sharmila Mitra, principal of Behala College, warned that repeating last year’s delay—which left thousands of seats unfilled—could have a serious impact again. She emphasized the need for swift intervention from the education minister to open the portal and resume the admission process.

An official from the higher education department confirmed that the legal opinion from the Advocate General is still pending. Despite attempts to contact Minister Basu for comment, there has been no response.

Several college principals expressed frustration that the legal consultation process had not been initiated earlier, given that the issue had long been under judicial scrutiny. As Shiuli Sarkar of Lady Brabourne College pointed out, earlier action could have ensured timely admissions immediately after the board exam results were declared.