Calcutta HC Upholds Single-Judge Order on WBJEE Results

Quick Summary

• On August 21, 2025, the Calcutta High Court’s division bench upheld a single-judge order requiring a new merit list for the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE) to be prepared with 7% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) recognized before 2010.
• The results for WBJEE, conducted on April 27, have been delayed due to disputes over the OBC reservation structure.
• In May 2024,the Calcutta High Court invalidated all OBC certificates issued in West Bengal since 2010; this revision is being contested at the Supreme Court.
• Justice kausik Chanda’s August 7 order mandated that a revised merit list be published by August 22 and include qualifications of candidates from pre-2010 OBC categories.
• On August 18, candidates were asked to submit details of caste/tribe/community certificates via an official portal; submissions closed on August 21.
• Political protests ensued over delays; BJP leader of Opposition suvendu Adhikari warned that he would stage demonstrations if admissions are not expedited.
• Students expressed frustration over delays and uncertainty.Affected students reported mental stress caused by the prolonged process.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The recent developments surrounding WBJEE reflect deep entanglement between administrative policies and judicial oversight concerning reservations. The delay in releasing results has disrupted college admission schedules and heightened anxiety among students while sparking political debate within West Bengal.

The recalibration of OBC categorizations demonstrates a broader challenge India faces in balancing historical injustices thru affirmative action with evolving socio-political realities. Resolving such disputes swiftly is necessary to maintain trust in public institutions like entrance examination boards which play pivotal roles in academic transitions. For students, fairness and adherence to deadlines are critical expectations from institutional processes-a point underscored by their growing dissatisfaction.

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