West Bengal Politics & Governance

Union Budget proposes rail and industrial infrastructure linked to West Bengal

1 February 2026

The Union Budget for 2026–27 proposed an East Coast Industrial Corridor with a node at Durgapur, a high-speed rail corridor between Varanasi and Siliguri, and a dedicated freight corridor linking Dankuni with Surat. It also allocated funds for four Kolkata Metro projects, including ₹705.50 crore for the Orange Line and ₹2,886 crore for the Airport–Barasat project.

Key Facts

• The proposed integrated East Coast Industrial Corridor includes a well-connected Durgapur node.
• Dedicated freight corridors are rail routes intended to facilitate goods transport.

Mamata Banerjee challenges electoral-roll revision in Supreme Court

1 February 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court against the Election Commission of India and the state’s chief electoral officer, challenging aspects of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The petition included a challenge to the appointment of micro-observers.

Key Facts

• The Election Commission of India prepares electoral rolls and issues eligible voters’ identity cards.
• The Supreme Court safeguards citizens’ fundamental rights and resolves legal disputes involving governments.

Three railway lines approved for North Bengal

1 February 2026

The Rail Ministry approved three new railway lines in North Bengal: Raiganj–Dalkhola (43.43 km), Gazole–Itahar (27.20 km) and Raiganj–Itahar (22.16 km). The routes are intended to improve regional connectivity and provide alternatives between the Malda and Aluabari areas.

Key Facts

• The approved lines are intended to provide alternative routes between the Malda and Aluabari areas.
• The new lines are expected to support socioeconomic improvement in underserved tribal-populated areas.

West Bengal Madhyamik examinations begin

2 February 2026

West Bengal’s 2026 Madhyamik examinations began on 2 February, with 9,71,340 candidates and 2,682 examination centres reported. The state board’s president said the first day’s examinations were completed smoothly apart from a few isolated incidents.

Key Facts

• WBBSE is West Bengal’s autonomous state-government examining authority for the Standard 10 examination.

Calcutta High Court restricts Shab-e-Barat fireworks during night hours

2 February 2026

The Calcutta High Court barred fireworks during Shab-e-Barat between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The order requires compliance with Pollution Control Board rules and allows police to take appropriate action against violations.

Key Facts

• The Calcutta High Court, India’s oldest High Court, exercises jurisdiction over West Bengal and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

High Court orders disclosure of West Bengal constable recruitment scores

3 February 2026

The Calcutta High Court directed the West Bengal government to publish, within seven days, a detailed list of candidates who qualified in the written examination for police constable recruitment. The list must include candidates’ marks and category details, including reservation categories, to improve transparency in the selection process.

Key Facts

• The West Bengal Police Recruitment Board conducts recruitment for constables, lady constables and sub-inspectors.

Supreme Court issues notices and directions in West Bengal voter-roll revision petitions

4 February 2026

The Supreme Court issued notices to the Election Commission of India and West Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer in petitions concerning the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in the state. It directed the Commission to ensure that minor spelling errors do not lead to voters’ names being removed and called for sensitivity when serving hearing notices; the next hearing was scheduled for 9 February.

Key Facts

• The Election Commission of India prepares electoral rolls and issues elector identification cards to eligible voters.
• The Supreme Court is India’s apex court, and its declared law binds courts nationwide.

WEBEL and Oracle announce digital-skills training programme

4 February 2026

WEBEL and Oracle announced a three-year digital-skills training programme for 15,000 students and young professionals in West Bengal. The planned free courses will cover areas including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity and data science, with Oracle providing structured learning through its education platform.

Key Facts

• WEBEL is a West Bengal government-owned public-sector company under its Department of Information Technology and Electronics.
• WEBEL was established to develop West Bengal’s electronics industry.

West Bengal interim budget announces welfare and employee-benefit measures

5 February 2026

West Bengal’s 2026–27 interim budget, presented by Minister of State for Finance Chandrima Bhattacharya, announced a ₹500 monthly increase in Lakshmir Bhandar assistance, effective from February. It also announced a 4% increase ...