West Bengal Budget 2026: One lakh government jobs; Rs 50,000 scholarships for girls; 20% hike in DA

Teacher recruitment, financial support for girl students and new higher education institutions were among the key education announcements in the West Bengal Budget 2026-27 presented by Swapan Dasgupta, minister in charge, Finance Department on Monday. This was the newly-elected BJP government’s maiden budget for the state.

The new government also proposes establishing premier engineering and management institutions in North Bengal, including an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and an Indian Institute of Management (IIM). The government has also proposed Tribal University in Jhargram, with all modern facilities, and earmarked Rs 150 crore for it.

For 2026-27, the school education department has been allocated Rs 41,234.69 crore, while the higher education department has been allotted Rs 6,858.89 crore. The technical education, training and skill development department has received Rs 1,464.19 crore.

50,000 teaching posts, girls’ scholarships

One of the biggest education announcements in the budget was the government’s decision to fill “50,000 teaching posts as part of the broader plan to recruit 1 lakh people in government jobs”. The government has also announced a 20% increase in dearness allowance for staff.

Dasgupta also announced Rs 50,000 scholarships for unmarried girls joining government and government-aided colleges.

“To reduce the drop-out rate of girl students in higher education, a new scheme will be implemented for girl students at the time of admission of undergraduate courses at government and government aided colleges. Under this scheme one time support of Rs 50,000 will be provided to unmarried girl students,” Dasgupta said.

According to report in the NDTV and elsewhere, and in line with central policy, the department of minority affairs has faced steep cuts in budget.