WBSSC: Calcutta HC Banned “Tainted” Candidates From Teacher Recruitment Exam

July 9, 2025: In a landmark judgment, Justice Saugata Bhattacharya of the Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) to amend its recruitment notification for classes 9 to 12. The court ruled that “tainted” candidates—those previously declared ineligible by the Supreme Court and Calcutta High Court—will not be allowed to participate in the new teacher recruitment process.

Core Issues

• The teacher recruitment notification was released on May 30, 2025.
• Multiple complaints alleged that previously disqualified or “tainted” candidates were reapplying.
• The court emphasized that both WBSSC and the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education are aware of who these candidates are.

Key Court Observations

• No entry for ineligible candidates: Fraudulent applicants cannot benefit from the recruitment process.
• Experience marks questioned: The court objected to the 10% experience marks being awarded to candidates who may have obtained jobs through illegitimate means.
• Strict deadline: Recruitment must be completed by December 31, 2025, as ordered by the Supreme Court.

SSC’s Reaction

• SSC’s counsel, Bishwarup Bhattacharya, argued the order would be difficult to enforce and hinted at an appeal.
• However, the High Court has already dismissed the SSC’s plea for reconsideration.

Public Response

• Positive reaction: Genuine job aspirants welcomed the move, seeing it as a win for fairness and transparency.
• Concerns remain: Some candidates feel unresolved issues still exist—such as reduced vacancies and revised eligibility norms.

What This Means

This ruling sets a significant precedent in upholding integrity and meritocracy in the teacher recruitment process in West Bengal. All eyes are now on WBSSC to see how effectively it enforces this directive in the upcoming recruitment cycle.