Presidency University will manage its own undergraduate admissions starting this academic year, ending a decade of reliance on the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE) system. All 16 university departments voted on Wednesday to implement new, independent admission criteria. This move follows faculty concerns regarding academic standards and the previous admission process.
Admission Process Shift
The university’s decision marks a significant change for prospective students seeking admission to Presidency. The WBJEE board oversaw undergraduate admissions at Presidency University from 2015 until last year. Before 2015, the university conducted its own entrance examinations. Academics at the time noted these internal exams effectively identified talented students for various programs.
Arnab Halder, Head of the Chemistry Department, confirmed all departments wished to opt out of the WBJEE-conducted process. He stated each department now plans to select students through its own examinations or based solely on Class 12 scores.
Departmental Admission Criteria
Presidency University’s 16 departments have detailed their preferred admission methods. Nine departments will conduct their own specific entrance examinations. Seven other departments will assess candidates solely on their Class 12 academic performance.
| Admission Method | Departments |
|---|---|
| Departmental Entrance Exam | Chemistry, History, Economics, Life Science, Astrophysics, Statistics, Bengali, Political Science, Philosophy |
| Class 12 Marks | Physics, English, Performing Arts, Sociology, Mathematics, Geology, Hindi |
The Chemistry Department provided specific insight into its approach. It plans to admit students using a combined score derived from both a departmental entrance test and Class 12 marks. Halder emphasized that an entrance exam created by their own faculty provides the most effective way to select highly talented students.
Reasons for Change
Presidency University teachers formally raised concerns that the WBJEE board-led system lowered academic standards. They observed the board conducted exams independently, without direct involvement from university faculty in setting question papers. This lack of faculty participation in curriculum and assessment development became a critical issue.
Faculty members were initially involved in setting question papers for admissions to ensure academic quality and alignment. However, they reported concerns when the WBJEE board assumed complete control over the entire question-setting and examination process. These issues were formally communicated to Vice-Chancellor Nirmalya Narayan Chakraborty in August last year.
Teachers stated that while they supported making admissions broadly accessible, recent problems and a perceived lack of transparency prompted a reevaluation of their agreement with the WBJEE board. The university aims to restore direct control over its academic intake standards.
Operational Readiness and Approval
Presidency University initially transferred its admissions responsibilities to the WBJEE board in 2015 . This decision stemmed from a reported lack of sufficient test centers to conduct its own examinations efficiently. Since then, the university’s infrastructure has expanded.
New campuses in New Town and Kurseong now provide additional facilities, enabling departments to hold their own independent tests more easily. Presidency Registrar Debajyoti Konar confirmed widespread departmental support for conducting these new, university-managed admission processes. The complete proposal will now proceed to the university’s governing body for final review and approval, a necessary step before implementation.