Final decision on Presi ’26 entrance tests after puja

Kolkata: The final decision on whether Presidency University (PU) entrance tests in 2026 will be conducted by West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination Board or the university itself is likely after the Durga Puja vacation, when a meeting will be held on the issue.An official said, "An admission committee meeting will be held after the puja vacation to take the final call."The JEE Board has conducted the admission tests for UG and PG courses of the university since 2015. Before that, the university conducted its own admission tests.PU teachers recently wrote to VC Nirmalya Narayan Chakraborty, flagging concerns regarding the handling of the admission test by the Joint Entrance Board. "In the initial years, Presidency faculty members were involved in setting question papers, ensuring academic rigour and contextual appropriateness. We expressed our reservations when WBJEE board opted to take over the entire question-setting process. While we acknowledge the logic of expanding access and reach across the state, recent developments marked by inefficiencies and opacity force us to reconsider our arrangement with the board," the letter said. A section of teachers feel the university should conduct its own admission tests to uphold the academic standard. Sociology department associate professor Upal Chakrabarti said, "We are extremely worried about the inordinate delay in the admission process. Presidency University, which has always attracted the best minds in the state, now risks losing serious applicants to other institutions due to procedural delays. There are a few other reasons we feel that entrance tests should be conducted by the university, including the teachers wanting to frame our questions in a different way and not just in the usual MCQ pattern."English department professor Sumit Chakrabarti said, "Many of us look forward to bringing the admission tests back to Presidency. I think it will add to the general academic health of the university." School of Astrophysics assistant professor Suchetana Chatterjee said, "Since the advent of the new curriculum and new requirements, it is important that we tune our admission process accordingly. So it is better if we have full autonomy in this matter."

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