Bengal school jobs row: SC to hear pleas against invalidation of 25,753 jobs on January 15
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a series of petitions on January 15, 2025, challenging the Calcutta High Court’s decision to invalidate the appointments of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff in government and aided schools across West Bengal. This information was confirmed in the cause list uploaded on the Supreme Court’s official website.
The matter will be heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, as per the court’s schedule. A total of 124 petitions, including one filed by the West Bengal government, are pending before the Supreme Court, all contesting the high court’s ruling delivered in April 2024.
In December 2024, during preliminary arguments, the Supreme Court raised concerns over the state government’s decision to create supernumerary posts for teachers and non-teaching staff instead of addressing allegations of illegal appointments. The court questioned why the government chose to accommodate individuals rather than take steps to identify and remove those who were allegedly appointed through illegitimate means.
The controversy began when the State School Service Commission (SSC) conducted the State Level Selection Test (SLST)-2016 to fill 24,640 vacant posts in schools. Approximately 23 lakh candidates appeared for the examination, and a total of 25,753 appointment letters were issued. However, allegations of irregularities in the recruitment process led to legal challenges, culminating in the April 2024 High Court verdict that annulled the appointments.
Earlier, on May 7, 2024, the Supreme Court upheld the high court’s order regarding the cancellation of appointments. While granting the stay, the apex court allowed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to continue its inquiry into the allegations of corruption and malpractices during the recruitment process. However, the court specified that no coercive actions could be taken against the appointees while the investigation was ongoing.
In addition, the Supreme Court stipulated that if it is ultimately determined that the appointments were illegal, those whose jobs were annulled by the high court would be required to refund the salaries and emoluments they had received.
The apex court also took note of a state government directive issued on May 19, 2022, which created 6,861 supernumerary posts for teachers and non-teaching staff. This move was intended to accommodate wait-listed candidates based on SSC recommendations. The state had directed that appointment letters for these posts be issued, subject to the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings before the high court.
As the case proceeds, it remains one of the most significant legal challenges involving large-scale recruitment in West Bengal, affecting thousands of appointees and potentially altering the state’s approach to public sector employment.
