Kolkata, July 9 -- Expressing satisfaction over the progress of admissions to state-run engineering colleges, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday said the trend showed that students were increasingly choosing to pursue higher technical education in West Bengal, reflecting the government's aim of turning "brain drain" into "brain gain".
"It is a matter of great pride and optimism that, for the first time in many years, all seats in Government Engineering Colleges have been filled in the very first round of West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board (WBJEEB) counselling. This shows our bright students are increasingly choosing to study in the state," Adhikari said in a post on X.
The WBJEEB conducts counselling for admission to undergraduate engineering, technology and architecture courses in colleges, universities and institutions across the state.
According to figures shared by the Chief Minister, 36,431 candidates registered for the first round of counselling this year (excluding pharmacy), up 34.26 per cent from 27,135 in 2025. Male registrations increased from 20,417 to 26,902, a rise of 31.78 per cent, while female registrations jumped 41.85 per cent from 6,718 to 9,528.
Nearly 100 per cent of seats in government and government-aided colleges and universities have already been allotted in the first round, while a significant number of seats in private institutions have also been filled. The first-round admission process will continue till July 11. Admissions will be completed through three rounds of counselling, with more than 40,000 seats on offer this year. Counselling for pharmacy courses will begin shortly.
"Our government remains steadfastly committed to elevating the quality of higher education across the state. We are modernising our institutions and fostering an ecosystem of innovation and excellence," Adhikari said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.