West Bengal Assembly clears Bill allowing transfers between State universities

The West Bengal Assembly on Thursday passed an amendment Bill by voice vote that allows the State government to move teaching and non-teaching employees from one State university to another.

The West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, cleared by the State Cabinet on September 8, introduces a provision under Section 14A of the existing 2017 Act. Officials said the change will permit inter-university transfers of both teaching and non-teaching staff as and when required.

Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay tabled the Bill during a special session of the Assembly.

Speaking during the tabling, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the legislation would send "so-called pundits" to newly established institutions, which would stand to benefit. He said the Bill would balance institutional autonomy with accountability to the government, and that it would not affect PhD supervision or research projects. Those unhappy with its provisions, he added, were free to leave their jobs.

On the rationale for amending the 2017 Act, the Chief Minister said a ground reality necessitated the move. Experienced professors would move to the new universities and guide them on infrastructure, how classes should be conducted, and how they could be developed into centres of excellence, he said.

Such experienced teachers, he added, would be posted to new universities in places such as Jhargram and Cooch Behar, ensuring an exchange of human resources.