Kolkata: Calcutta University (CU) has made a significant change in its admission process for BTech courses offered by the faculty of engineering and technology. In a recent faculty council meeting, it was decided that all seats for the four-year BTech programmes will be filled through the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) rankings. Previously, 40% of the seats were reserved for science graduates who could apply without appearing for the JEE.
According to this eligibility criteria for admission, candidates have to clear the JEE and pass plus-II with physics, chemistry and mathematics, securing an average of at least 60% or an equivalent grade.
However, a small number of students — from a four-year BSc Honours, a three-year BSc or an equivalent degree with specific subject combinations for different courses — will still be allowed to take admission in the third semester through the Joint Entrance Lateral Entry Test (JELET).
A higher official from the Engineering and Technology department stated, “In the changing scenario of education after implementing the new education policy, it will be difficult to get students in the three-year programme. So, the faculty council has decided to make it 100% instead of 60% from this academic session. Final approval will come from the syndicate.”
Calcutta University has been offering engineering and technology courses since 1914, long before the concept of engineering gained popularity. After 2015, the university began admitting students through the JEE, with 60% of seats filled through WBJEE and 40% reserved for science graduates. A senior professor explained, “Science graduates can apply, but there will be no reserved seats for them now.”
The faculty council has also decided to introduce a domicile quota from this academic session, with 80% seats reserved for students from Bengal. This move follows a similar decision by Jadavpur University in 2019, which introduced a 90% domicile quota for state students.
The proposal for these changes will be sent to the syndicate for approval. Calcutta University currently offers 400 BTech seats across 10 departments, and the new admission process is expected to be implemented from the upcoming academic session.