The West Bengal Centralised Admission Portal (WBCAP), an initiative by the Department of Higher Education, Government of West Bengal, has announced that the Phase-1 merit list for undergraduate admissions will be officially published on August 7, 2025. This is a crucial date for thousands of aspiring students who have applied for admission to various degree programs across state-affiliated colleges.

In this article, we explain what this means for applicants, how they can check their status, and what steps to follow after the merit list is released. This information is based on publicly available government notifications and official announcements from the WBCAP portal (https://wbcap.in) and is intended to guide students and parents through the process.

What is WBCAP?

The Centralised Admission Portal (WBCAP) is a unified online system developed to streamline undergraduate admissions in West Bengal. Students can apply to multiple colleges and courses through a single portal, view merit lists, and complete the entire admission process online.

This system was introduced to bring transparency, efficiency, and accessibility to the admission process, avoiding the need to visit multiple college campuses or deal with varied application procedures.

Key Dates You Need to Know

As per the official notification:

• Last Date of Phase-1 Application: July 30, 2025

• Publication of Phase-1 Merit List: August 7, 2025

After the publication of the merit list, students will get a specific window to confirm their admission to the allotted colleges.

How to Check the Merit List

Here’s a step-by-step guide to checking the Phase-1 merit list once it is released:

1. Visit the official portal: https://wbcap.in

2. Login using your credentials (application code, mobile number, or email).

3. Navigate to the “Notice Board” or “Downloads” section.

4. Look for the PDF titled something like:

   • "Phase-1 Merit List – [College Name]"

   • "Round 1 Allotment – B.Com Honours – [University Name]"

5. Download the PDF and search your application ID or merit index using Ctrl + F.

6. If selected, your status will show "Allotted" or "Selected" next to your name.

What is a Merit Index?

The merit index is calculated based on the student's academic performance, especially marks in Class 12. Some courses may also weigh subject-specific marks depending on the criteria published by the respective universities.

It is not the same as a rank, but it determines the student’s eligibility compared to others in the same course and category.

Category-Based Admission

Applicants are placed into various categories like General, OBC-A, OBC-B, SC, ST, and PwD. Alongside the general merit list (GMR), a Category Merit Rank (CMR) may also be published, which shows the student's standing within their category.

This allows for fair distribution of seats across all reserved and unreserved categories.

What to Do If Selected

If you find your name on the merit list and your status says "Selected" or "Allotted," here’s what to do next:

1. Accept the Seat Online: Login and confirm your acceptance.

2. Pay the Admission Fee: Pay through UPI, debit card, net banking, or other listed modes.

3. Upload Documents: Scanned copies of Class 10/12 marksheets, ID proof, caste/income certificate, photo, and signature.

4. Download Admission Slip: This will serve as confirmation of your provisional admission.

Final Admission and Physical Reporting

After online confirmation, the allotted college will schedule a date for physical document verification and final admission formalities. Students must carry:

• Original and photocopies of required documents

• Application form printout

• Admission slip and payment receipt

Failure to report within the scheduled window may result in cancellation of the seat.

What If You’re Not Selected in Phase-1?

Don’t panic. If you're not selected in the first round:

• You can wait for Phase-2 or further rounds.

• The portal may allow you to edit preferences or re-apply if applicable.

• Keep checking the notice board regularly.

Contact and Support

If you face any issues:

• Email: query@wbcap.in or support@wbcap.in

• Helpline: 1800-102-8014 (Toll-Free)

Final Thoughts

The WBCAP merit list marks a major milestone in the 2025 undergraduate admission cycle in West Bengal. With the system offering digital transparency and centralized tracking, students now have a smoother way to access their higher education goals.

Make sure to keep an eye on the portal from August 7 onward, check your status promptly, and complete the required actions within the stipulated timeline.

Stay updated, stay prepared — and all the best to all applicants!