West Bengal Assembly Passes Law Enabling Inter-University Staff Transfers

The West Bengal Legislative Assembly passed the West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, on Thursday, granting the state government authority to transfer teaching and non-teaching staff between state-run universities. The legislation, introduced during a special one-day session, was approved by a voice vote with 171 members in favour and 15 against. The new law introduces Section 14A, which empowers the Chancellor to execute transfers for administrative reasons in consultation with the state government.

This legislative move marks a significant shift in the administrative oversight of higher education institutions in the state. While existing regulations previously permitted the transfer of staff between colleges under the same university, this amendment extends that scope to include inter-university movements. The government maintains that the measure is necessary to address faculty shortages in newer state universities, while critics argue it threatens the autonomy of academic institutions and could be used to target dissenting faculty members.

The newly enacted amendment introduces Section 14A, which provides a formal mechanism for the relocation of university personnel. Under the provision, transferred employees will carry service conditions specified in their transfer orders and will be deemed appointed by the competent authority of the receiving institution. The law includes provisions for transfer grants and the reimbursement of costs associated with transporting personal effects at prescribed rates.

For employees transferred in the public interest who do not retain a lien in their original university, seniority will be determined based on the date of their initial appointment in their respective cadre. The legislation also grants employees the option to retain their lien in their original institution or opt for full absorption into the new university. State officials have stated that this expansion of regulatory power is intended to optimize human resource distribution across the state's higher education network.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari defended the legislation as a necessary step to balance university autonomy with government accountability. He argued that the state has a responsibility to ensure that newer universities, particularly those in districts like Jhargram and Cooch Behar, receive experienced faculty to guide their development. Adhikari stated that the law would allow the government to deploy senior professors to institutions that currently lack adequate infrastructure and academic guidance.

Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay echoed these sentiments, asserting that the government is obligated to address instances of misrule occurring under the guise of autonomy. He noted that while the previous administration established nine new universities, they failed to appoint sufficient teaching staff. The government contends that transferring senior professors from established universities to these newer institutions is a strategic move to foster centres of excellence across the state.

The Bill faced significant opposition from teachers' associations and legislative members who fear the erosion of institutional independence. The Jadavpur University Teachers Association (JUTA) issued a statement condemning the move as an attack on the self-reliance of universities and a violation of the principles set forth by the University Grants Commission. Critics have expressed apprehension that the transfer provision will be utilized as a tool to target academics who are critical of the state government.

During the Assembly session, CPM member Mostafijur Rehman and ISF member Naushad Siddiqui raised objections, suggesting the legislation was designed to target specific universities and their staff. In response to these concerns, Chief Minister Adhikari stated that those unhappy with the provisions were welcome to resign. He dismissed the criticism as coming from so-called pundits and reiterated that the government would take whatever measures are necessary to maintain discipline within the state's academic institutions.

In addition to the transfer legislation, the Assembly passed the West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which brings the provident funds of employees across 21 state-run universities under a common legal framework. This legislation mandates that these funds be governed by the West Bengal Non-Government Educational Institutions and Local Authorities (Control of Provident Fund of Employees) Act, 1983. The Executive Council of each affected university is now empowered to frame ordinances for the administration of these funds, subject to the provisions of the 1983 Act.

The universities impacted by this consolidation include institutions such as Presidency University, Rabindra Bharati University, and various regional universities like Alipurduar University and Darjeeling Hills University. This move is part of a broader effort by the state government to standardize administrative and financial regulations across the state's higher education sector, ensuring that provident fund management aligns with established state-level controls.

The passage of the transfer bill occurs against a backdrop of ongoing ideological tensions at Jadavpur University, where clashes have been reported between student groups. Chief Minister Adhikari addressed these developments in the Assembly, warning of strict action against what he termed anti-national forces. He stated that the government would respond firmly to slogans challenging the unity of the country and suggested that the new transfer law would help in addressing the influence of those he accused of brainwashing students.

Adhikari emphasized that the government would not tolerate activities that threaten national unity and indicated that the transfer provision would serve as an extraordinary measure for administrative reasons. He further noted that the state government holds the right to exercise control over the universities it funds, framing the legislation as a necessary intervention to restore discipline. The government has indicated that it intends to proceed with the implementation of these new administrative powers as part of its broader policy for the higher education sector.