India
West Bengal Plans to Merge Madrasah Service Commission into WBSSC, Bill Expected Post-Durga Puja
The West Bengal government intends to merge the Madrasah Service Commission with the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) and will introduce a bill in the state legislative assembly, likely after Durga Puja. The move aims to consolidate teacher recruitment for madrasahs and other state‑run or state‑aided institutions under the WBSSC. The decision was made by the state cabinet in September, and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced it publicly on October 6. The Madrasah Service Commission was originally established by the Left Front through an act passed in 2008. Several petitions challenged the 2008 act in the Calcutta High Court, arguing that a government aiding minority institutions could set appointment guidelines but could not act as the appointer. The High Court ruled in favor of the petitioners in 2018, but a Supreme Court division bench upheld the act and the appointments made by the Madrasah Service Commission in 2020. In June, finance minister Swapan Dasgupta presented a net budget of ₹4,38,775.29 crore for 2026‑2027, noting that of the 100,000 vacancies in state government departments, 50,000 would be for teachers, professors and non‑teaching staff. The budget allocated ₹2,165.42 crore for minority affairs and madrasah education, while the MSME department received ₹1,814.60 crore. On September 7, Chief Minister Adhikari announced that control of Aliah University would shift from the state minority affairs and madrasah education department to the higher education department. CPI(M) state secretary Md Salim criticized the BJP government, claiming it focuses on “abolishing and demolishing” institutions such as Aliah University and madrasahs, and accused the previous Trinamool government of a recruitment scam. Bengal BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar defended the actions, stating that the public would recognize the benefits and that the WBSSC should not be permanently dismantled due to past corruption. No opposition was reported to the decision to let the WBSSC take over the Madrasah Service Commission’s responsibilities.
Frequently asked questions
When is the bill to merge the Madrasah Service Commission into the WBSSC expected to be introduced?
The bill is likely to be introduced after Durga Puja, as announced by the state cabinet in September and by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on October 6.
What was the original purpose of the Madrasah Service Commission?
It was established by the Left Front through an act passed in 2008 to recruit teachers for madrasahs and other state‑run or state‑aided institutions.
How much budget was allocated for minority affairs and madrasah education in the 2026‑2027 financial plan?
₹2,165.42 crore was allocated for minority affairs and madrasah education.