West Bengal Minister of Education (TMC) Partha Chatterjee on Sunday stated that undergraduate (UG) classes will commence from November 2 after the admission process for first-year college students is completed by the end of October while the Postgraduate (PG) classes would begin the following month, he added.

The decisions were taken in an online meeting the minister held with the vice-chancellors of state universities.

As per Chatterjee “It has been decided that the new academic year will begin in December. Till November there are several festivals. After Durga Puja in October, there is Kali Puja, Diwali, Bhai Dooj, Chhat Puja and Milad un-Nabi. So there is no point starting the academic year from November and then observe so many holidays on account of these festivals. Therefore, it is ideal to commence the new academic year from December.’’

The minister further added “However, classes for undergraduate courses will begin from November 2 and the same for postgraduate courses will commence from December. Classes will be held in online mode and respective universities and colleges will chalk out modalities.”

The education minister stated his department would write to the University Grants Commission (UGC), asking it to allow the state to start the new academic year from December.

Meanwhile it is being said that the universities decided to reserve 80 per cent of seats in PG courses for students who completed their graduation in an affiliated college, or in the institute itself. The decision was taken due to COVID-19 pandemic and curbs in transport. As a result, many graduates may find it difficult to pursue higher studies in institutions outside the state.

While admissions to UG courses will be over by October 31, the admission procedure in PG courses will be completed only by the end of November.

However in a notice on September 22, the UGC said the admission process for UG first-year students would have to be completed by October 31, and classes should resume on November 1.