The Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Mesra, has discontinued its 50 per cent home-state quota for students from Jharkhand from the academic session 2026–27. With this decision, admissions to all undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programmes will now be conducted solely on the basis of All India Merit through the centralised counselling process. The registration process for counselling commenced on June 2 and will continue until August 12. The development stems from the non-renewal of an agreement signed between BIT Mesra and the Government of Jharkhand in the early 2000s. The agreement, which had been periodically renewed, expired in 2023 and has not been extended since.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2001 between the management of BIT Mesra and the Government of Jharkhand through the Directorate of Higher Education, the institute had agreed to increase intake by 180 seats at the undergraduate level and 50 seats at the postgraduate level. In return, 50 per cent of these seats were reserved exclusively for students from Jharkhand. As part of the agreement, the state government had committed financial assistance amounting to 24.05 crore. The government had also agreed to bear 50 per cent of the Dearness Allowance (DA) paid to employees of BIT Mesra, ensuring that the institute’s staff receive DA and additional DA at rates equivalent to those paid to Jharkhand government employees. Although the agreement expired in 2023, students from Jharkhand reportedly continued to receive the benefit of the quota for some time. However, the institute has now withdrawn the provision for the current academic session.

Responding to media queries, Jharkhand Higher and Technical Education minister, Sudivya Kumar reiterated the government’s stand on the issue. He said BIT Mesra had been allotted nearly 300 acres of land by the state government and therefore should adhere to the provisions associated with that arrangement. However, BIT officials refrained from commenting on the development. Nonetheless, changes visible on the Joint Seat Allocation Authority ( JoSAA) 2026 portal appear to indicate that the home state quota provision has been discontinued for the 2026–27 academic session. “Whatever agreement was made by previous governments, the fact remains that land was provided by the state. There should be reservation in seats for students of Jharkhand, and course fees should also be lower for local students,” the minister said.

The decision has triggered concern among parents and guardians across the state. “BIT is one of the country’s premier educational institutions. There should be some reservations for students of Jharkhand. The government has the necessary mechanisms and should have initiated discussions much earlier. Since the counselling registration process has already begun, any further delay may make it difficult to address the issue effectively,” a parent said.