West Bengal Launches Centralised UG Admission Portal for 2025: Covers 460 Colleges Under 17 Universities
In a significant move aimed at simplifying undergraduate admissions across the state, the West Bengal government has launched a centralised admission portal for the 2025 academic session. The new platform will streamline the enrolment process across 460 state-run and state-aided colleges affiliated with 17 universities, providing a transparent, student-friendly alternative to the previously scattered and often controversial admission process.
Education Minister Bratya Basu announced the launch during a press briefing in Kolkata on June 18, 2025.
Admission Portal Goes Live: Key Dates and Process
The centralised portal went live at 10 AM on June 18, enabling students to begin applying for undergraduate courses immediately. The first phase of admissions will conclude on July 1, giving applicants nearly two weeks to make and revise their choices.
According to a senior official from the state education department, students will be able to choose up to 25 combinations of college and subject preferences, arranged in order of priority. Importantly, applicants can edit both college and subject choices any time up to the July 1 deadline, allowing for flexibility and strategic planning.
Transparency and Simplicity at the Core
Minister Bratya Basu emphasized that the goal of the portal is to ensure a “simple, transparent, and seamless” admission process. The new system aims to eliminate the confusion and irregularities that have plagued admissions in previous years, including allegations of third-party interference and favoritism in seat allocation.
"Last year, we introduced this portal to remove any scope for allegations or involvement of student leaders and external parties," Basu said. "We are committed to continuing that level of transparency this year as well."
New Features: AI Chatbot ‘Veena’ Introduced
To further ease the admission process, the state has introduced an AI-powered chatbot named 'Veena'. Designed to assist students in navigating the portal and submitting their applications correctly, Veena is a nod to the musical instrument associated with Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning.
Minister Basu explained that Veena will help answer frequently asked questions and provide step-by-step guidance to students unfamiliar with online application systems.
Communication and Notifications: Email and SMS Alerts
To ensure students remain informed throughout the process, the education department will send individual notifications via email and SMS. This direct communication approach is designed to reduce confusion and ensure timely updates on application status, important deadlines, and next steps.
Provisions for Unfilled Seats: Second Chance for Students
Another thoughtful addition to this year’s process is the provision for reallocating seats in case of unfilled positions. Suppose a student’s chosen college does not fill the required number of seats. In that case, they may be offered a second chance for enrollment at the same institution, providing them with a fair opportunity to secure admission despite a limited first-round allocation.
Exclusion of Certain Institutions
It’s important to note that not all institutions will fall under the scope of the centralised portal. As clarified by the minister, the following categories will remain outside the system:
- Autonomous colleges
- Minority higher educational institutions
- Jadavpur University
- Presidency University
These institutions will continue to manage their admissions independently, based on their processes and timelines.
Context and Scale: Building on Last Year’s Success
The new portal builds on the momentum created last year, when the online system was launched for the first time. In 2024–25, approximately 4,44,190 students were admitted to 461 colleges across 16 universities, a number that the education minister hopes will be matched or exceeded this year.
This year, the state board’s Higher Secondary (HS) results were published on May 7, aligning well with the launch of the new admission cycle. In comparison, the previous year's results were announced on May 8, and the portal opened on June 19, indicating that the government has acted more swiftly in 2025.
Legal Compliance: Court Orders Will Be Respected
Regarding the OBC reservation matters currently under review in the Supreme Court, Basu assured that the current system has been implemented in compliance with existing court directives. If any further legal rulings are issued by the Supreme Court or the Calcutta High Court, the education department will make adjustments accordingly to ensure compliance with the legal framework.
This stance is intended to assure students and guardians that admissions will not be disrupted by pending legal decisions.
Conclusion: A Student-Centric Approach to Modern Admissions
With the launch of this centralized admission portal, West Bengal is taking a decisive step toward modernizing and democratizing access to higher education. By integrating AI tools like Chatbot Veena, offering flexibility in choice selection, and ensuring direct communication with applicants, the system reflects a student-first approach.
The emphasis on transparency, digital accessibility, and fairness underscores the government’s broader aim of eliminating systemic flaws and creating a level playing field for all students across the state.
As the first phase of the admissions process begins, students are encouraged to explore the portal early, utilize all available tools, and make informed decisions about their academic futures.
