Archive · 10 Sep 2026
West Bengal Assembly Tables Controversial Inter-University Staff Transfer Bill
West Bengal lawmakers introduced a new education bill in the state Assembly.
The bill would let the government move teachers and other university workers from one state university to another.
Workers would keep their years of service, and the government would pay their moving expenses.
Officials say experienced workers could help newer universities improve their teaching, research and administration.
Jhargram and Cooch Behar were mentioned as examples of places with newer universities.
The bill would also move Aliah University under the state Higher Education Department.
Teachers and academics worry that workers could be moved without freely agreeing.
They say this could reduce the independence of universities and disturb important research teams.
The bill was tabled during a one-day special session and is intended to be sent to the governor if passed.
The West Bengal Assembly tabled a 2026 amendment bill allowing transfers of teaching and non-teaching staff between state universities.
The bill adds a provision to Section 14A of the 2017 law and preserves employees’ seniority while requiring the state to pay transfer costs.
The government says experienced staff could strengthen newer universities in places such as Jhargram and Cooch Behar.
The proposal would also place Aliah University under the West Bengal Higher Education Department instead of the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department.
Teachers’ associations and academics warn that compulsory transfers could weaken university autonomy, job security, research stability and academic standards.
- Who
- The West Bengal government, state universities, university employees, teachers’ associations and academics are involved; Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay tabled the bill.
- What
- The West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, would allow inter-university transfers of teaching and non-teaching staff and change Aliah University’s administrative department.
- When
- The bill was tabled on Thursday, September 10, after the state Cabinet approved it on September 8, 2026.
- Where
- The bill was tabled in the West Bengal Assembly and would apply to state-run universities across West Bengal, including newer institutions in Jhargram and Cooch Behar.
- Why
- The government says the measure would distribute experienced human resources and improve newer universities, while critics say it could centralise control and undermine university autonomy.
West Bengal Government
Teachers’ Associations and Academics
Purpose of transfers
West Bengal Government
The government says experienced professors and staff from established universities can help newer institutions improve teaching, research, infrastructure and administration.
Teachers’ Associations and Academics
Critics question whether transfers would require employees’ consent and say the measure could impose unfamiliar working conditions.
University autonomy
West Bengal Government
The government presents the bill as a way to balance human resources across state higher education and support newer universities.
Teachers’ Associations and Academics
Teachers and academics say state-directed transfers could weaken the autonomy of universities, whose executive councils or syndicates traditionally handle institutional affairs.
Academic standards and research
West Bengal Government
Officials argue that deploying experienced staff to new universities would rapidly improve their quality and help them become centres of excellence.
Teachers’ Associations and Academics
Critics warn that moving professors could destabilise departments, disrupt research and dilute the standards of universities built over many years.
- Bill
- West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Legal change
- The bill proposes adding a provision to Section 14A of the existing 2017 Act.
- Transfer scope
- Teaching and non-teaching employees could be transferred between state universities when required.
- Employee protections
- Employees would retain their service seniority, and the state government would bear transfer expenses.
- Government rationale
- Experienced professors and staff could help newer universities develop teaching, research, infrastructure and administration.
- Aliah University
- The university would move from the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department to the West Bengal Higher Education Department.
- Next step
- If passed, the bill would be sent to Governor R. N. Ravi for consent.
Sources
Special Bengal Assembly session: Bill for inter-university transfer of teachers, staff to be passed today
Bengal govt tables bill in Assembly to allow inter-university transfer of teachers, staffers
Bengal govt tables in assembly Bill enabling inter-university transfer of teachers, staffers
