Jadavpur University Loses IoE Status; Centre Blames Bengal Govt

Kolkata, West Bengal: Jadavpur University in Kolkata to lose its Institute of Eminence (IoE) status due to steep decline in budgetary allocation. In response to the question raised by Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya for the reason behind the university’s loss of the eminence status, Minister of State for Education Dr Sukanta Majumdar gave the details in the Parliament.

Bhattacharya also inquired about the measures taken by the University to address the concerns and whether the university can reapply for IoE status in the future.

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In his reply, Minister said: “The Empowered Experts Committee (EEC) considered the revised proposal of the Jadavpur University and observed that there was a steep decline in the budget from earlier projected amount of Rs. 3,299 crore to Rs. 606 crore and such a steep decline in the budget was not conducive to realize the target set for the IoE institutions. Accordingly, the EEC recommended the UGC to drop the Jadavpur University from the list of IoE institutions. The recommendations of EEC were placed before the Commission and the same was agreed to.”

Later, Majumdar reacted to the issue on social media platform X.  “Mamata Banerjee’s Apathy Killed Jadavpur University’s IoE Dream! Jadavpur University, one of India’s finest institutions, was set to receive the prestigious Institute of Eminence (IoE) status—bringing ₹1,000 crore in central funding & greater autonomy. But thanks to Mamata Banerjee’s sheer negligence, JU lost this golden opportunity!,” he said in post.

Mamata Banerjee’s Apathy Killed Jadavpur University’s IoE Dream!

Jadavpur University, one of India’s finest institutions, was set to receive the prestigious Institute of Eminence (IoE) status—bringing ₹1,000 crore in central funding & greater autonomy. But thanks to Mamata… pic.twitter.com/UQYCt2HKzB

— Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) March 12, 2025

Continuing further, he wrote that the state government at first cut University’s proposed budget from Rs. 3,299 crore to Rs.1,015 crore and then reduced to Rs.606 crore forcing the university to arrange 25% of funds on its own. UGC and EEC rejected the institute’s underfunded proposal, and thereby removed from the IoE list.

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“While Failed Chief Minister @MamataOfficial blows crores on freebies & PR gimmicks, Bengal’s top university was abandoned by her government! This is a direct betrayal of students, teachers & Bengal’s academic future,” he added.