kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : The sudden and unsettling turn of events, the West Bengal Health Department has issued a notice halting admission processes for both MBBS and BDS courses across the state’s medical colleges, plunging NEET-qualified aspirants into uncertainty. The directive, released unexpectedly, has left hopeful candidates grappling with confusion and anxiety over the future of their medical education. Amid growing concerns, speculation is mounting that the real catalyst behind the suspension is an unresolved legal complication linked to OBC reservation certificates. The department refrained from offering official reasoning, but insiders suggest that the matter remains entangled in court proceedings.

Medical students and associations have voiced sharp criticism over the indefinite freeze. Dr. Sams Musafir, convener of the medical unit of AIDSO (All India Democratic Students’ Organisation), called the move deeply troubling, accusing the government of using legal technicalities as a pretext to derail vital educational processes. He warned that such delays not only jeopardize learning timelines for aspiring doctors but could also erode the quality of healthcare training and services. Urging the authorities to resolve the issue swiftly, he stressed that continued inertia may push students toward organized protest.

The developments come on the heels of a protracted dispute over OBC reservation certificates in the state. Legal wrangles over the validity and issuance of these certificates have previously disrupted other examinations, including WBJEE results. The medical admissions freeze mirrors similar interruptions linked to these contentious policies.

Union Minister of State for Education and DoNER, Sukanta Majumdar, condemned the state government's move, deeming it unfair and harmful to students. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), he highlighted the lack of clarity in the sudden notice, warning that such ambiguity casts a shadow over the future of thousands of medical aspirants. He questioned whether the decision was being driven by narrow political interests and cautioned against using reservation disputes to privilege certain groups at the expense of students’ educational rights.

According to the notice dated August 18, 2025, the counselling and admission process for NEET-UG medical and dental courses has been kept “in abeyance until further order.” It was issued without elaboration on the cause of the interruption.

While the compassionate motive for maintaining reservation ensures inclusivity, the lack of timely resolution is now creating collateral damage—students remain in limbo, merit lists are published but dead-ended, and institutions are unable to commence classes. The sudden halt has broader implications beyond immediate admissions: prolonged delay may cascade into academic disruption, backlog of seats, and logistical challenges in aligning new schedules for counselling and enrolment.