West Bengal Assembly Takes Up Inter-University Teacher Transfer Bill: Key Provisions and Concerns

West Bengal Assembly is considering a 2026 Bill allowing transfer of teaching and non-teaching staff between state universities, with the government citing academic resource needs

The West Bengal Assembly is holding a special one-day session today, September 10, 2026, to consider the West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. The proposed legislation seeks to empower the state government to transfer teaching and non-teaching employees from one state university to another.

The Bill was cleared by the state Cabinet on September 8 and was introduced in the Assembly by Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay. It proposes adding a provision to Section 14A of the 2017 Act to enable inter-university transfers when required.

What does the Bill propose?

Under the proposed framework:

• Teaching and non-teaching staff could be transferred between state universities.
• The government says experienced faculty could be deployed to newer universities, including institutions in places such as Jhargram and Cooch Behar.
• The service seniority of transferred employees would remain unchanged.
• Expenses related to the transfer would be borne by the state government.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has argued that experienced professors can help newer universities strengthen infrastructure, improve academic practices and develop centres of excellence.

Teachers raise autonomy concerns

The proposal has faced opposition from sections of the university teaching community. Teacher associations, including the Jadavpur University Teachers’ Association (JUTA), have raised concerns about university autonomy, existing service conditions and job security.

The Calcutta University Teachers’ Association (CUTA) has also sought consultation with stakeholders before changes affecting university employees are implemented. Questions have been raised over university-specific statutes, research work, laboratories, infrastructure and grants associated with individual faculty members.

The Bill therefore represents a significant proposed change in the administration of state universities, with the government stressing better deployment of academic resources, while critics remain concerned about institutional autonomy and employee service conditions.