Kolkata/IBNS: Kolkata's prestigious Loreto College has issued an apology after its preference to "English Medium" students for undergraduate courses triggered public ire, media reports said.

In its first merit list for BA and BSc courses, the college did not consider students, whose medium of instruction in class 12 was vernacular, for selection.

The incident had triggered massive public outrage in the state and particularly Kolkata.

Many social media users have slammed the institution, which is affiliated to Calcutta University, for its "discriminatory" rule.

Under pressure from all quarters, the Catholic women's college, which was established during the British era, has now issued an apology and withdrawn the controversial notice.

The statement says, "Loreto College, Kolkata unconditionally apologises to the people of Bengal and revokes the said admission policy notice with immediate effect."

"Loreto College, Kolkata, has a rich legacy of service and all-round education for over 100 years in Bengal. The recent admission policy notice does not reflect the values we cherish," it added.

Calcutta University has said it does not allow its affiliated colleges to frame discriminatory rules and also on the basis of a student's medium of instruction.