The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday admitted a petition challenging the latest notification issued by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) for recruiting teachers in state-run schools. The petition, filed during the court’s vacation session, raises objections to significant changes in the recruitment criteria compared to the 2016 panel.
Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury, presiding over the single-judge vacation bench, admitted the plea and scheduled the matter for hearing on June 5.
At the heart of the challenge is the revised weightage system in the selection process. The petitioner argued that the new criteria violate the Supreme Court’s directives on fresh recruitment following the cancellation of the 2016 panel. The apex court had upheld the Calcutta High Court’s earlier decision to cancel 25,753 appointments due to irregularities, and ordered that a fresh recruitment process be conducted.
According to the WBSSC’s recent notification, the written examination now carries 60 marks—an increase from 55 in 2016. However, the weightage for educational qualifications has been significantly reduced from 35 to 10. Additionally, two new components—“past teaching experience” and “lecture demonstration”—have been introduced, each carrying 10 marks.
Legal experts had earlier raised concerns that these changes might disadvantage fresh candidates and give undue advantage to applicants from the cancelled 2016 panel, particularly those with prior teaching experience. They argue that the modifications undermine the fairness of the recruitment process and could be seen as a backdoor entry for previously disqualified candidates.
“The weightage system used in 2016 should be retained to ensure a level playing field for all candidates,” legal commentators said, describing the introduction of new criteria as “grossly illegal.”
Their concerns have now materialized in the form of a formal petition, which challenges the notification on the very grounds previously highlighted.
Meanwhile, the state government and WBSSC have filed review petitions in the Supreme Court, seeking relief from the blanket cancellation of the 2016 recruitment panel. However, the apex court had noted that the panel was entirely compromised due to the authorities’ failure to distinguish between “tainted” and “untainted” candidates.
As the legal battle resumes, the outcome of the June 5 hearing could have a significant impact on the future of teacher recruitment in West Bengal and the fate of thousands of candidates awaiting clarity.
