Kolkata UG Students: On Friday, August 29, Kolkata’s long-delayed undergraduate academic session finally took off. Nearly 2.3 lakh students—who endured a grueling four-month wait filled with anxiety and uncertainty over admissions—stepped into their colleges for the first time. The moment brought a collective sigh of relief across campuses from Bethune College in the north to Maharaja Manindra Chandra College in the south.
Tulika Roy, standing with her daughter outside the gate of Bethune College, described the months past as “like a nightmare.” Despite a stellar ISC score and hopes of studying within the state, the delay had seen her daughter teetering on the edge of moving away. “Finally, the anxious days are over,” she said, echoing the relief felt by many families.
What Caused the Delay?
This has been the most delayed UG admission season in around 25 years. Administrative bottlenecks, legal disputes—particularly over the new OBC reservation lists—and technical glitches all played a part in pushing admissions deep into August. A former Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University declared never having seen such a prolonged impasse in modern memory.
Meanwhile, statewide data shows that of approximately 9.5 lakh total UG seats available, over 4 lakh had already been offered through the centralized admission portal (CAP)—yet some 5 lakh remained vacant, raising concerns over filling capacity and academic readiness.
Colleges’ Resilient Preparations and Student Excitement
Despite ongoing admissions, colleges like Bethune, Basanti Devi, Asutosh, and Maharaja Manindra Chandra welcomed students with enthusiastic energy. Parents and students flocked to campuses morning and evening, relieved to begin this long-awaited academic journey.
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Arkina Sarkar, admitted to the Economics department at Bethune, spoke of excitement and relief to finally begin her four-year degree.
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Gulam Rasul, who had aspired to join Asutosh College since Class VIII, called himself fortunate the wait was finally over.
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Sreya Bhattacharjee of Maharaja Manindra Chandra College expressed anxiety about catching up on syllabus and semester exams, given the late start.
Despite the challenges, department heads assured that those joining late would receive extra academic mentoring and catch-up sessions. Full-fledged classes are slated to begin Monday, ensuring a proper launch into the academic year.
Admissions Landscape: Gaps, Hopes, and Expectations
While the start is in motion, uncertainty remains. The admission process is ongoing through two additional rounds—often called “upgrade” or “mop-up” phases. These are expected to fill vacant seats and give students another chance to join their preferred institutions.
As Basanti Devi College principal Indrila Guha explained: many students who joined in Phase I may shift institutes in later rounds—making the final years of admissions critical for filling empty seats and forming cohorts.
A Comparative Look: Where Did Students Go?
Interestingly, not all institutions waited. Several non-CAP colleges, including St. Xavier’s College, Ramakrishna Mission Residential College, and Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College, began their UG sessions as early as mid-July. Others like Loreto, Scottish Church, and Women’s Christian College lined up for August starts. Even Jadavpur University’s Science faculty launched classes in early August, having moved quickly once the OBC reservation impasse eased.
While this staggered start offered relief for some, it also highlighted disparities in admissions timelines—leaving CAP students anxious and behind schedule.
Learning Bridge: Syllabus Catch-Up and Class Recovery
Colleges are rolling out strategies to manage lost academic time. Full-time classes will begin shortly, but interim measures include:
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Conducting catch-up classes and tutorials for late joiners.
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Utilizing weekends and optional summer slots to cover missed content.
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Continuous monitoring of attendance to ensure no student falls irredeemably behind.
This approach echoes university directives issued in previous years—such as last summer, when colleges were advised to hold classes during vacation to bridge gaps wrought by delayed admissions.
Looking Ahead: The Road to a Stable Session
For many students, today’s enrollment marks a significant emotional and academic milestone. But the road ahead involves navigating several challenges:
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Ensuring parity for late joiners in learning pace.
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Filling vacant seats across CAP institutions in upcoming rounds.
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Maintaining academic rigor despite compressed timelines.
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Monitoring the impact on exam readiness and student morale.
This academic year may be remembered as one where resilience, adapatability, and institutional responsiveness were tested at every turn.
Key External References for Context
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OBC Reservation Delay and its academic fallout: College Admission coverage
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