West Bengal Universities and Colleges Administration and Regulation Amendment Bill, 2026 Drafted for Professor Transfers

The West Bengal government, under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, today, September 8, 2026, drafted the West Bengal Universities and Colleges Administration and Regulation Amendment Bill, 2026, which will permit the transfer of experienced professors and non-teaching staff to new universities. This significant move aims to use veteran academicians to guide the state’s emerging higher education institutions regarding infrastructure, classes, and the development of centres of excellence.

The bill, formally approved by the WB state cabinet on Monday, September 6, 2026, is set to be tabled in a special assembly session on September 10, 2026, from 11 AM to 1 PM. The proposal for this special session has already been sent to the Speaker, underscoring the government’s intent to expedite rolling out this inter-university transfer mechanism.

West Bengal Universities and Colleges Administration and Regulation Amendment Bill, 2026: Key Provisions

The West Bengal Universities and Colleges Administration and Regulation Amendment Bill, 2026, seeks to establish a statutory framework for the inter-university transfer of both teaching and non-teaching staff. Chief Minister Adhikari highlighted that while transfers between government colleges are common for teachers appointed through the public service commission, this provision currently does not extend to university teachers. The new bill aims to bridge this gap, allowing the government to strategically deploy experienced faculty where they are most needed.

The state currently operates 21 state-aided universities, with an additional five under development. These new institutions are expected to benefit significantly from the expertise of seasoned professors. CM Adhikari stated, “Many experienced professors will go to the new universities and guide those universities regarding infrastructure, classes, and how to make centre of excellence.”

Background and Existing Framework for Transfers

The West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) Act, 2017, already grants the government the authority to transfer college staff, both teaching and non-teaching, ‘in the interest of public service’. Additionally, the West Bengal College (Transfer of Employees) Rule, 2017, provides a specific framework for college staff transfers. The 2017 Act also mandates state-aided universities to adopt common statutes and practices, and it empowers the government to inquire into university affairs as deemed necessary.

Academicians believe the new bill could empower the government to transfer veteran teachers from their established campuses to newer universities. West Bengal universities currently have 5,500 teaching posts, with approximately 2,900 permanent staff, indicating a substantial pool of experienced faculty who could be subject to these transfers.

Stakeholder Reactions and Concerns

While the government emphasizes the benefits of transferring experienced faculty to new institutions, teacher associations have voiced some concerns. Sanatan Chottopadhyay, President of the Calcutta University Teachers’ Association (CUTA), urged the government to conduct detailed consultations with stakeholders from each university before presenting the bill in the assembly. This call for dialogue suggests a desire for clarity and consensus on putting in place such a significant policy change.

Partha Pratim Ray, President of the Jadavpur University Teachers’ Association (JUTA), raised a crucial point regarding the service conditions of transferred employees. He stated, “However, in this case, it needs to be clarified how the service conditions will be changed.” This highlights the need for transparent guidelines on how transfers will impact aspects such as seniority, promotions, and other employment benefits for both teaching and non-teaching staff.

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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