Education

IIE DIGITAL: After remaining stalled for years, the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) has initiated the long-awaited process for mutual transfers of teachers and non-teaching staff through the state's Utsashree portal.

According to a notification issued by the Commission, all pending mutual transfer applications submitted under the 2012 transfer rules will now be taken up for consideration in phases. The move is expected to provide relief to hundreds of applicants whose requests have remained unresolved.

The Commission has asked shortlisted applicants to appear for a verification hearing at its Karunamoyee office in Salt Lake from 11 am on August 12, 2026. They must carry copies of their service-related documents along with a ₹1,000 demand draft.

Applicants who no longer wish to pursue mutual transfers have also been instructed to appear in person with a written withdrawal request, duly forwarded by the head of their institution. Those whose appointments were made following court directions have been asked to produce copies of the relevant court orders and the Commission's recommendation letter.

A total of 77 applicants have been called in the first phase. After verification of documents, the Commission will process eligible cases through the Utsashree portal.

Teachers' representatives noted that although the portal stopped functioning in September 2022, transfer applications continued to be accepted for some time before the process was completely halted. Fresh applications resumed in January 2025, but many were still awaiting implementation until recently.

The Commission said it is prioritising older pending applications before taking up newer requests. Teacher leader Swapan Mondal urged the authorities to ensure that applicants who applied after 2024 are also accommodated without further delay.