WBBSE Announces Fresh Registration Window for Madhyamik Exams After Portal Glitches
In a last-minute move to address enrollment issues, the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) has decided to reopen the online registration portal for the Madhyamik (Class 10) examinations. This decision comes just a week before the exams are scheduled to commence on February 2, 2026, aiming to assist eligible students who were inadvertently left out due to administrative oversights at the school level.
Portal Reopening Details and Eligibility Criteria
The Board has issued a notification stating that the enrollment portal will remain accessible from January 27 at noon until January 28 at noon. This temporary reopening is specifically designed for candidates who have not received their admit cards but have successfully passed the Test Examination. Additionally, students must meet a minimum attendance requirement of 70 percent in both Classes 9 and 10 to qualify for this opportunity.
All schools across the state have been instructed to provide necessary assistance to their eligible students during this enrollment process. The admit cards for these late registrants will be issued on January 29 between 1 pm and 5 pm, ensuring they are prepared in time for the examinations.
Ministerial Assurance and Administrative Measures
West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu emphasized the importance of this initiative in a post on X, stating, "The enrollment portal will be reopened so that no eligible examinee is deprived of the opportunity to appear in the examination." He further assured that appropriate administrative measures would be implemented to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.
The Board has also indicated that it will take necessary steps, in accordance with applicable rules, to hold responsible schools accountable for the lapses in the enrollment process. This move follows reports from several schools about late-stage errors that led to students being excluded from the initial registration.
Background on Previous Penalties and Controversies
This incident is not the first time the WBBSE has faced challenges with registration compliance. In December 2025, the Board directed 50 government schools to pay a penalty of Rs 5,000 per student for failing to complete registrations or rectify student data within the stipulated deadlines. This penalty was enforced based on a Calcutta High Court order, with the Board deeming explanations from school heads unsatisfactory.
The Advanced Society for Headmaster and Headmistress (AFSHM) criticized this penalty as a form of harassment, accusing the Board of operating like a corporate entity. Despite appeals to the chief minister and education minister for intervention, Minister Basu maintained that the education department would not interfere in the matter at that time.
As the Madhyamik examinations draw near, this reopening of the portal underscores the Board's commitment to ensuring that all eligible students have a fair chance to participate, while also highlighting ongoing issues in the enrollment system that need addressing.
