Bengal college admissions in limbo: 2024 HC order on OBC certificates causes delay
The fate of 4,82,948 students who appeared for the Higher Secondary (Uccha Madhyamik) exams in Bengal remains uncertain, as undergraduate admissions through the Centralised Admission Portal (CAP) to around 460 government colleges and universities across the state have been stalled.
This is because in May 2024, the Calcutta High Court had dismissed all Other Backward Classes (OBC) certificates issued since 2010. The court directed that a new OBC list be prepared under the West Bengal Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993.
According to sources in the Education Department, officials have written to the state's Advocate General regarding the commencement of admissions.
Education Minister Bratya Basu recently told mediapersons, 'It is an ongoing legal matter; the higher authority is looking into it. We are waiting for the final nod to start admissions. The centralised admission portal was launched last year, and this year too, admissions will be conducted on it smoothly. Legal issues will not impact the overall admission process.'
According to Basu, UG admissions through CAP will begin soon.
In contrast, private and autonomous colleges not under the centralised portal, such as Scottish Church College, St. Xavier's College, and Ramakrishna Mission institutes, have already begun their admission processes. The Principal of Scottish Church College said, 'We are a minority institution and not under CAP. Our admissions began after Class 12 results were declared and will continue till June.'A senior official said that the CAP portal is ready and will be activated once the Higher Education Department gives its clearance. Officials also hinted at possibly eliminating the OBC category from UG admissions to avoid further legal complications,
pending the Advocate General's advice.
Asutosh College principal and general secretary of the All Bengal Principals Council Manas Kabi told The Indian Express, 'We have full faith in the government and hope the process will start soon. The Education Minister is trying his best to open the online portal following all legal advice. Since the case is in the Supreme Court, legal counsel is essential.'
Calcutta University Registrar Debasish Das said, 'We have sought a legal opinion. Currently, no admissions are taking place. We wrote to the Backward Classes Department but have not received a response. If the process doesn't begin soon, students may turn to private institutions or seek admissions in other states.'
Jadavpur University's Acting Registrar Indrajit Banerjee said, 'We have received a letter from the Backward Classes Department and are proceeding as per legal advice.'
Rupayan Pal, who topped this year's Higher Secondary examinations, told The Indian Express, 'Just for one section, everyone shouldn't be affected. I want to pursue research and study medicine. The results aren't out yet, but I hope the issue will be resolved by then.'
Meanwhile, students and guardians are growing increasingly anxious.
Rabindranath Pal, Rupayan's father, told The Indian Express, 'Students will obviously be affected, but what can we common people do except wait for the court's decision? This delay is unfair; it will impact my son's future. Only the Supreme Court can resolve it.'
Bhagtodan Ghoshal, father of Srijita Ghoshal who secured the fourth rank, said, 'This is a sad situation and must be resolved quickly. Education is the foundation of society. Many students are leaving Bengal. If my daughter gets a seat in another state, I'll send her there.'
The Supreme Court had, in its judgment last year, termed the post-2010 OBC list 'illegal' but clarified that its ruling would not affect those already employed or benefitted under existing OBC reservations.The West Bengal government has challenged the verdict and moved the Supreme Court.
The verdict followed PILs filed since 2011, challenging the classification of 77 communities as OBCs under executive orders issued between March 2010 and May 2012. The petitioners also questioned the constitutional validity of sections of the West Bengal Backward Classes (Other than SC and ST) (Reservation in Posts) Act of 2012.
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Additionally, she writes on developments related to politics and culture in India. ... Read More
