As West Bengal prepares for the upcoming Assembly elections, Calcutta University has officially instructed all its affiliated colleges to transition to online classes for undergraduate students. The shift, effective from April 22 to May 5, aims to balance the democratic process with academic requirements. A circular issued by the Inspector of Colleges, Diptendu Chatterjee, has directed heads of institutions to take immediate steps to ensure a smooth transition to virtual platforms.
The decision is rooted in both logistical necessity and student accessibility. While Calcutta and the surrounding districts of Howrah and Hooghly are not voting in the immediate first phase, many students have already traveled to their home districts—such as North Bengal and the Midnapores—to cast their votes. By moving classes online, the university ensures that these students can continue their education without being physically present on campus. Furthermore, with the introduction of the exhaustive four-year undergraduate programme under the National Education Policy (NEP), university officials are keen to ensure the syllabus remains on track.
Beyond student travel, the physical infrastructure of the colleges plays a major role in this decision. A significant number of campuses are designated to serve as polling booths and counting centres for the second phase of polling on April 29. Starting April 25, central security forces are expected to be stationed at these institutions in large numbers, making regular on-campus academic activities impossible. This is not the first time the election schedule has impacted the academic calendar this year; the early deployment of forces previously forced the university to defer third-semester undergraduate theory examinations.
Principals of major institutions, including Lady Brabourne College, have confirmed that the necessary arrangements for digital sessions are already in place. By opting for a two-week virtual window, Calcutta University hopes to provide a stable learning environment while the state navigates a complex election schedule. For thousands of students, the next fortnight will see the familiar glow of computer screens replace the traditional chalkboard as the “festival of democracy” takes over the city’s corridors of learning.