Confusion Over OBC Quota — Undergraduate admissions in West Bengal have been hit by a wave of confusion and uncertainty over the implementation of the state’s revised OBC reservation policy. What started as a promising application surge has turned into a slowdown, as both students and colleges await clarity from the Supreme Court regarding the legitimacy of the state’s 17% OBC quota.
While over 1.5 lakh students had enthusiastically registered within the first few days of the launch of the centralized admissions portal (CAP) in early July, the application rate has since dropped considerably. By July 25, around 3.6 lakh students had applied, a marginal increase despite extended deadlines and increased outreach.
Backdrop: A Tale of Two Quotas
The current confusion stems from the legal battle over the list of Other Backward Class (OBC) communities eligible for reservation in Bengal. The original list—framed before 2010—identified 66 communities for a 7% reservation. However, in 2010 and later years, the state expanded the list to include more than 100 new communities, most of which belonged to religious minorities, raising the total reservation to 17%.
In May 2024, the Calcutta High Court struck down this expanded list, terming it unconstitutional and biased, and directed the state to revert to the pre-2010 list. The West Bengal government responded by conducting a new socio-economic survey and reintroducing the revised list in June 2025.
But the High Court issued a stay on this new list as well, leading to massive confusion in the ongoing admissions process.
Supreme Court’s Interim Relief
On July 26, the Supreme Court provided temporary relief by staying the High Court’s order and allowing the implementation of the 17% OBC quota until a final verdict is given. The court observed that the Calcutta High Court may have erred by interfering in a matter already addressed by the state’s executive machinery, particularly after it had conducted a new survey.
Though this relief came just days before the final CAP deadline of July 30, uncertainty still looms large for students in newer OBC categories, who are unsure whether they should apply now or wait for the final verdict, which is expected in early August.
Confusion Over OBC Quota: Students in Limbo
Many aspiring students, particularly those from economically weaker and backward communities, have been left in a dilemma. Those applying under the newly added OBC groups are unsure if their applications will be accepted or if they’ll be counted in the general category once the final court ruling is announced.
“The delay in a clear resolution is affecting both morale and planning,” said a student from Malda who belongs to one of the 76 communities added in the expanded list. “We don’t know whether to lock in our options or wait for clarity. This is our future, and it feels like we’re stuck in a loop.”
Several student unions have appealed to the state to extend the CAP deadline further, while legal observers have called for an urgent verdict from the apex court to prevent academic disruption.
Administrative Challenges
The CAP platform, launched by the West Bengal Higher Education Department to streamline UG admissions, now stands partly paralyzed. While students can still fill in their course preferences, the portal has held back the publication of merit lists and seat allotments due to the legal limbo.
Colleges that are part of CAP—especially those under Calcutta University, Burdwan University, and North Bengal University—have had to postpone their academic calendars. Faculty members have reported confusion over admission quotas and have been unable to start orientation for freshers.
In contrast, autonomous institutions such as St. Xavier’s College, Loreto College, and Ramakrishna Mission Residential College, which operate independently of CAP, have already completed admissions and commenced their academic sessions. This has further deepened concerns over fairness, especially among students from rural and low-income backgrounds who rely heavily on the CAP system.
What the Numbers Say
Despite the delay and confusion, a large number of students have still submitted applications. By July 25, around 3.6 lakh students had submitted applications, selecting over 20.5 lakh course preferences.
However, officials pointed out that the number of new registrations had dropped significantly after the High Court’s stay order in June. Before the stay, over 1.5 lakh students had signed up within the first five days alone, a trend that reversed sharply after uncertainty emerged.
State officials believe that a clear Supreme Court ruling could revive the momentum, especially among students belonging to minority and backward communities.
Political and Legal Implications
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has maintained that the new list of OBC communities is based on socio-economic indicators, not religion. She has blamed the opposition for trying to create communal divisions and interfering with a constitutionally valid affirmative action program.
The state government has submitted its fresh survey to the court, detailing that all added communities qualified based on education, employment, and social marginalization criteria. Legal experts suggest that if the Supreme Court upholds the new list, it would reinforce the principle of data-backed reservations.
Meanwhile, the state has assured the court that it will not implement quotas based on religious identity and that no community was included solely on the basis of religion.
Next Steps and What’s at Stake
- The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case in full in the first week of August. Until then, the 17% quota stays in place, but only as an interim measure.
- Students from both old and new OBC lists are advised to complete their applications by the July 30 deadline to ensure eligibility under the current system.
- CAP colleges are expected to publish merit lists shortly after the verdict.
- Any delay beyond mid-August could push the start of the academic session beyond Durga Puja, disrupting the academic calendar.
External References
- Ashoka Kumar Thakur v. Union of India, 2008 (SC judgment on OBC quota)
- Article 15(4) of the Constitution of India
- Supreme Court’s July 26 ruling coverage (LiveLaw)
- West Bengal Higher Education CAP Portal
Conclusion
The unfolding situation over the OBC quota in Bengal highlights the fragile balance between legal scrutiny, data-driven policy, and educational equity. For lakhs of young aspirants, this is not just a legal issue—it’s a question of access, opportunity, and future. With the next court hearing on the horizon, students, parents, and administrators alike wait with bated breath for clarity that could make or break the academic dreams of many.
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