West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has said that upcoming teacher recruitment in the state will be conducted in a transparent and merit-based manner, strictly following the directions of the Supreme Court and the Calcutta High Court.
As reported by PTI, the chief minister assured candidates that there is no need for concern, as the government is committed to restoring fairness in the recruitment process. He emphasised that merit will remain the primary criterion, and steps are being taken to eliminate any scope for irregularities.
Merit-Based Process with Strict Rules on Interviews
Adhikari highlighted that the role of interviews will be limited to ensure fairness. He directed officials that viva voce marks should not exceed five, reducing the possibility of subjective bias in selection.
He also clarified that the recruitment process will not rely on informal methods like SMS notifications. Instead, all updates and details will be published on the official website, making the system more transparent and accessible to candidates.
Questioning earlier recruitment practices, the chief minister said that the dignity of the teaching profession must be restored through a clean and accountable selection system.
Reforms After Past Controversies and Court Orders
The announcement comes in the backdrop of major controversies surrounding past recruitment processes. The state government has scrapped the earlier SSC panel, which it described as “scam-tainted and politicised,” and introduced a new structure involving administrative officials and members associated with the Ramakrishna Mission to ensure a fair process.
Adhikari also pointed to issues such as irregular inclusion in the OBC category under the previous government, stating that corrective steps have been taken.
The matter gained significance after the Calcutta High Court, in 2024, invalidated the appointments of 25,753 SSC candidates, a decision later upheld by the Supreme Court in 2025. The apex court has now set a deadline of May 30, 2027, for conducting fresh recruitment for affected candidates from the 2016 SSC cycle.
Alongside teacher appointments, the chief minister stressed the importance of recruiting qualified school heads, laboratory staff, librarians and other support personnel to strengthen the education system as a whole.
Overall, the government’s approach signals a shift towards a more transparent, accountable and court-compliant recruitment process in West Bengal’s school education system.
(with inputs from PTI)