The quota system in Bangladesh's academic admissions has long been a subject of debate, with students repeatedly challenging its fairness and transparency. Originally designed to support underprivileged groups, the system has increasingly faced scrutiny for fostering inefficiency and favouritism. Despite substantial struggles—including the July uprising that demanded an end to inequality and discrimination—the challenges surrounding this system remain unresolved. The growing wave of student protests against quotas across public universities highlights an urgent need to reform admission policies to ensure fairness, credibility, and alignment with merit. A transition to a flexible, data-driven quota system—leveraging technology and demographic surveys to adjust quotas dynamically based on real-time eligibility—can ensure fairness without compromising academic benchmarks. 

At Jahangirnagar University (JU), students recently protested against the ward quota through a hunger strike that began on February 2. In response to mounting pressure, the JU ward quota was abolished. Earlier, the JU Central Admission Test Committee had abolished the vice-chancellor quota and the quota for the grandchildren of freedom fighters. A similar wave of discontent emerged at Rajshahi University (RU) as well at the beginning of this year. Initially, the administration attempted a partial reform. However, under continued student pressure, RU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Saleh Hasan Naqib fully abolished the heir quota on January 2. Such disputes highlight the persistent concerns regarding quota systems in public universities, where 11 different types of quotas exist. While some are intended to address social inequities, others contribute to inefficiency and favouritism, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to ensure a merit-based and equitable admission process.

The issue is not limited to general university admissions but extends to specialised fields, such as medical education. The MBBS admission test for the academic year 2024-25 took place on January 17, with 131,729 candidates competing nationwide. Among the 5,380 seats available in 57 government medical colleges, 269 were reserved for the children of freedom fighters (FF), and 39 for candidates from backward communities. However, out of the 269 FF quota seats, only 76 candidates secured admission based on merit, while 193 were admitted solely due to their quota eligibility. This meant that 70 percent of FF quota recipients were granted admission without meeting the usual merit criteria, leading to widespread criticism and the subsequent withholding of their results.

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The core issue with the quota system lies in allocating fixed percentages without considering the actual number of eligible candidates in a given year. This rigidity often results in inefficiencies and undermines public trust in the system. During the 2019-20 academic year at RU, the administration lowered the passing mark for dependent quota candidates from 40 to 30 to ensure all reserved seats were filled. This sparked widespread criticism for compromising academic standards and fairness. Such incidents underscore the limitations of fixed quotas that fail to adapt to real-time eligibility data. Fixed quotas often lead to unfilled reserved seats, which are usually filled through controversial adjustments.

A potential solution lies in transitioning to a flexible, data-driven quota system. The first step towards reform is systematically collecting accurate data on quota applicants. Institutions should track the number of eligible candidates per admission cycle. This data would enable dynamic seat allocation, aligning reserved seats with actual needs instead of rigidly enforcing fixed quotas. To further enhance fairness and effectiveness, institutions should implement real-time monitoring to analyse trends in quota applications, academic performance, and admission outcomes. Machine learning and predictive analytics can help refine policies. Regular audits would identify gaps or inefficiencies, ensuring quota allocations align with national educational goals. Additionally, universities must ensure that quota policies are assessed periodically to reflect societal changes and evolving educational standards. 

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Transparency is crucial. Annual reports detailing quota allocations, backed by data and analysis, would foster public trust and accountability. Open discourse would allow policymakers to fine-tune the system based on feedback and evolving societal needs. Verification of eligibility is another key aspect. Institutions should enforce rigorous verification procedures, supported by a centralised registry. Quota applicants should submit verifiable documents—such as academic certificates or proof of socio-economic disadvantage—which would be cross-checked against an official database to ensure benefits reach the genuinely deserving. A robust verification mechanism would also minimise discrepancies, ensuring the fairness of admissions.

By embracing technology and flexibility, Bangladesh can reform its quota system to reflect societal needs better while upholding academic standards. Moving towards a data-driven approach ensures fairness, efficiency, and transparency. This transformation is not just a policy update—it is a commitment to a more equitable and future-ready education system. Addressing quota-related concerns systematically and transparently will not only enhance the credibility of the education system but also ensure that it continues to serve as a powerful tool for social mobility and national development.

Ruhina Tabasshum Prome is research associate at the Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management (BIGM).

Shirin Sultana is research associate at the BIGM.

Views expressed in this article are the author's own. 

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