The West Bengal Cabinet, at a meeting on Monday, 5 October 2026, cleared 14,454 new recruitments across various state government departments, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announcing the entire process is expected to be completed within the next six to eight months. The decision marks one of the larger single-session hiring clearances by the state administration since Adhikari's government came to power earlier this year.

Departments Covered and Recruitment Process

The 14,454 posts span multiple departments, including the police, Forest Department, Fire Services, Prison Department, and the Home and Hill Affairs Department, among others. All hiring will be conducted through the West Bengal Public Service Commission and the West Bengal Police Recruitment Board, ensuring a structured, merit-based selection process, according to Chief Minister Adhikari.

12,000 Police Constables to Receive Appointment Letters

In a separate development announced at the same press briefing, Adhikari confirmed that the recruitment of 12,000 constables across both the West Bengal Police and the Kolkata Police has already been completed. He said he would personally hand over appointment letters to these recruits on 11 October. A public programme is also scheduled for 10 October at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, during which 400 new police vehicles and 400 motorcycles will be allotted to several police stations across the state.

Political Context and the 'One Lakh Jobs' Pledge

Adhikari used the occasion to draw a sharp contrast with the previous state government, which he alleged had not provided legitimate employment. “The previous state government did not provide jobs. Rather, it stole and sold jobs,” he said, in an apparent reference to the school jobs recruitment scam that became a major political flashpoint in West Bengal. He reiterated a broader commitment: “The state government will provide one lakh new jobs. Rest assured.” Critics and opposition leaders are likely to scrutinise the timeline and delivery mechanism against this promise, given the politically charged history of government job recruitment in the state.

Enhanced Allowances for Contractual Staff and Students

The Cabinet also approved a hike in the monthly allowance of contractual cleaning staff attached to the Land and Land Reforms and Refugee Relief and Rehabilitation Department, raising it from ₹5,000 to ₹8,000 per month, effective from October 2026. Additionally, hostel allowances for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students were increased from ₹1,800 to ₹3,300 per month, also with effect from October.

Sister Nivedita Scheme for Women Students

A new financial assistance scheme named after Sister Nivedita was also launched for women students entering the first year of higher education. Under this scheme, eligible unmarried women will receive ₹17,000 in their first year and ₹16,000 in the following year. The benefit applies from the current academic year. This initiative builds on a broader pattern of state governments deploying targeted welfare schemes for women students ahead of electoral cycles, though the Adhikari administration has framed it as a structural investment in female education.

With appointment letters for the 12,000 police constables due on 11 October and sectoral recruitment processes set to begin shortly, the coming months will test whether the state machinery can translate Cabinet approvals into actual placements at the pace promised.