In West Bengal, students transitioning from schools to colleges stare at uncertainty

Uncertainty looms for over four lakh West Bengal students as college admissions portal delay continues due to OBC reservation issue.

The future of over four lakh students in West Bengal who passed out of school is caught in uncertainty as the centralised portal for admission to colleges, run and aided by the State Government, is yet to open. The delay is due to a matter related to reservation for OBC candidates which awaits hearing in the Supreme Court.

Higher secondary results were declared on May 7, and while admissions to undergraduate courses have started in private and autonomous colleges, students seeking entry into government colleges will have to wait until the portal, launched only last year, is opened for them.

In May 2024, the Calcutta High Court removed the OBC status given since 2010 to 77 communities in the State. The State Government went to the Supreme Court, where a hearing is expected to come up in July. According to State Education Minister Bratya Basu, legal matters would not impact the admission process and the portal will open soon.

“The higher education department is trying its best to get the matter out of legal intricacy as soon as possible,” said Manas Kabi, the principal of Asutosh College, where the Education Minister, while presiding over a meeting of the All-Bengal Principals’ Council last Sunday, expressed hope for a quick resolution.

Samata Biswas, a professor at Sanskrit College and University, said the inordinate delay in admissions was hitting poorer students harder. “Autonomous colleges and more expensive private institutes are carrying out their admission processes without any hitch. This delay only marginalises underprivileged students who get their higher education in public institutions. The OBC judgment had been passed exactly a year ago. Why has there been no clarity regarding this one year down the line? How would the students admitted late to our institutes cope with the demands of a delayed semester?” asked Dr. Biswas.

A teacher at Asutosh College, who did not want to be named, added: “This delay must be causing significant stress to students and their families, particularly those facing financial strain as they adjust budgets and postpone commitments. Many students will miss out on other opportunities, such as scholarships or admissions to alternative colleges. Marginalised students naturally face greater challenges, as limited resources and support make it harder for them to cope with such uncertainties.”