The Recent Manifesto: A Pre-Poll Wake-Up Call from Educators

On April 19, 2026, the All Bengal University Teachers' Association (ABUTA), comprising around 50 left-leaning educators from state-run colleges and universities in West Bengal, released a pointed document dubbed a 'manifesto.' Timed just ahead of the state's assembly elections, this release underscores the mounting frustrations within academia. The group accuses both the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and state government decisions of exacerbating longstanding issues in higher education, calling on voters to back parties pledging to reverse 'anti-people' policies.

ABUTA's intervention highlights a sector under duress, where ideological divides intersect with practical challenges. While the document carries a clear political slant, it spotlights undeniable strains like plummeting enrollments and faculty shortages, prompting a broader examination of West Bengal's higher education landscape.

Understanding NEP 2020 and Its Rocky Rollout in West Bengal

The National Education Policy 2020, introduced by the central government, aims to overhaul India's education system with a focus on flexibility, multidisciplinary learning, and skill development. Key features include a four-year undergraduate (UG) honors program, multiple entry and exit options, credit accumulation via an Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), and a shift toward outcome-based education. Proponents argue it fosters holistic growth and global competitiveness; critics, however, decry it as promoting privatization through public-private partnerships (PPP), reduced public funding, and foreign direct investment (FDI) in education.

In West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC)-led government has publicly resisted full NEP adoption, citing concerns over central imposition and cultural misalignment. Yet, elements like the four-year UG structure have been rolled out in state colleges since 2023, leading to accusations of de facto implementation despite rhetoric. This hybrid approach—state's own education policy alongside selective NEP features—has fueled debates, with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan noting in February 2026 that the state forfeited over Rs 10,000 crore in central funds by partial rejection.

Plummeting Enrollment: A Stark Indicator of Distress

One of the most alarming trends is the sharp drop in undergraduate admissions. In government and aided colleges, there are 9,36,215 UG seats available. Yet, from 4,21,301 applicants, only 2,69,777 students were admitted—a mere 28.81% fill rate. This marks a steep decline from prior years when around 4.44 lakh seats were occupied. Even prestigious institutions report unfilled seats, signaling a crisis of confidence.

Factors include prolonged admission delays, uncertainties around Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservations, and students migrating to neighboring states or private institutions offering better infrastructure and placements. Reports from September 2025 highlighted over 70% vacancies post-counseling rounds, a pattern persisting into 2026. This not only strains institutional finances but also diminishes the talent pool for higher research and industry.

Faculty Shortages: The Human Capital Crunch

Chronic vacancies plague West Bengal's universities and colleges. Thousands of teaching positions remain unfilled, forcing reliance on low-paid contractual adjuncts who lack job security and research incentives. Irregular classes and incomplete syllabi have become the norm, eroding academic standards.

Political hurdles exacerbate this: battles between the Governor (as Chancellor) and the state government over vice-chancellor appointments have stalled recruitments. In 2023-2024, over a dozen state universities operated without permanent VCs, leading to administrative paralysis. Recent data from March 2025 reveals 1,000 colleges and 38 universities without National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) grading, underscoring quality deficits.

Photo by Arno Senoner on Unsplash

Infrastructure Woes in New and Existing Institutions

New universities established post-2011, intended to expand access, now symbolize failure. Investigations reveal crumbling buildings, absent libraries, and no permanent faculty in many, like those in rural districts. Premier institutions fare better but grapple with overcrowding and outdated labs.

The four-year UG shift demands more labs, digital tools, and faculty for research components, but funding lags. Self-financing courses, while filling gaps, burden students with high fees, accelerating commercialization critiques. For details on state university conditions, see this investigative report.

Politicization and Campus Culture: Beyond Academics

Student politics, a hallmark of West Bengal campuses like Jadavpur University, often spills into violence and factionalism. ABUTA laments a 'threat culture' deterring merit-based discourse. Recent Calcutta High Court rulings, such as quashing Election Commission orders for professors' poll duties on April 17, 2026, highlight how electoral pressures disrupt teaching.

Governance tussles—Governor vs. government—have led to Supreme Court interventions, delaying appointments and promotions amid corruption allegations. This environment stifles innovation, with faculty focused on survival over scholarship.

Financial Burdens and Equity Concerns

NEP's multiple entry-exit and credit systems, while flexible, risk dropout rates among economically weaker students unable to afford prolonged studies. Self-financing programs and PPP models shift costs to learners, widening inequalities. In West Bengal, where public sector jobs dwindle, employability rhetoric rings hollow amid youth unemployment hovering above 20%.

Women and rural students face compounded barriers: low female enrollment in STEM and migration challenges. A balanced view notes NEP's equity push via scholarships, but implementation gaps persist. For enrollment trends, refer to Times of India analysis.

Stakeholder Perspectives: A Divided Discourse

ABUTA represents progressive voices wary of centralization; conversely, industry bodies praise NEP's skill focus. Vice-chancellors from aligned institutions argue partial adoption modernizes curricula. Students oscillate: some decry delays, others value flexibility.

Experts like former policymakers advocate hybrid models, blending NEP's strengths with state autonomy. Union critiques highlight lost funds, while TMC defends localization.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

Pathways to Reform: Constructive Solutions Ahead

Addressing the crisis demands urgent action:

• Fast-track faculty recruitments via transparent panels, bypassing political logjams.
• Invest in infrastructure: Rs 5,000 crore state allocation for labs and digital upgrades.
• Hybrid NEP: Retain four-year flexibility but ensure subsidies for exits and research grants.
• NAAC push: Incentives for accreditation to elevate standards.
• Governance overhaul: Consensus on Chancellor roles for stability.

Pre-poll promises could catalyze change; long-term, public-private synergies without commercialization are key. Explore faculty opportunities at AcademicJobs faculty listings.

Outlook: Elections as a Turning Point

As polls near, education features prominently. ABUTA's manifesto amplifies calls for accountability, but solutions lie in bipartisan commitment. With India's higher ed eyeing global top-100 slots, West Bengal risks lag unless reforms accelerate. Positive steps—like recent HS Council project-based subjects—signal potential. Stakeholders must prioritize quality over ideology for a resilient future.

Students and educators seek stability; success hinges on bridging divides.