SLST Fiasco and the Government’s Hidden Agenda

An unprecedented situation has come up in SLST fiasco. Some fresh candidates have secured 100% marks in the written test; while the hope of getting an interview call has remained nothing more than a distant dream. Hence, their deep anguish has taken the shape of protest.

Their main grievance is SLST examination is an entry level test. Thus, they denounce the decision of allocation of 10 marks for the experienced teachers. The police has been brutal to them notwithstanding their dedication to education.

But we need to delve into the reasons that have caused today’s one-of-its-kind situation. However, the SSC, supposedly an autonomous organization, have conducted the SLST 2025 examination. They have included the candidates, who lost their jobs due to the court verdict against institutional fraud.

The part of  the eligibility criteria  also contains a weightage of ten marks for experience. As a result, such an exceptional situation has arrived. Indeed, one can never expect to score more than 100% in the qualifying examination.

Incompetent SSC and fate of SLST fiasco

SSC has been remaining in the limelight for last 10 years. Conversely, The complete 2016 panel had faced an expulsion after a prolonged court proceeding.

On the other hand, The roles of SSC, Education Board, and West Bengal Government have come under the scanner of High Court and Supreme Court in various phases.

Nevertheless, there have been allegations of non-cooperation. Moreover, West Bengal has not conducted any further SLST. In contrast, there exist a lot of youths who aspire for the Government jobs even today. More than 5 lakhs applied for the 35,726 teacher posts in 2025 SLST fiasco.

After the expulsion of the panel, the Apex court directed the authorities to conduct the recruitment within stipulated time. However, SSC has got the liberty of framing rule for the eligibility criteria. While framing the rules, the masterminds surely failed to pre-empt such an awkward situation.

In fact, If the administration fails to anticipate the impact of the very rules it creates, it inevitably reveals its incompetence.

Conversely, Critics might allege that it is deliberate with a definite objective.

Indeed, it is an open secret that SSC is instrumental in carrying the directives of the State Government. Their so-called independence is limited to paperwork; in truth, they simply serve the government’s interests. So, ultimately, it exposes the inability of the Government. Unfortunately, such an open disregard to the overall  education segment can spread its far reaching tentacles.

Brushing asides controversies, lets try to be analytical in summary.

The chronology of events of SLST fiasco

The Calcutta High Court single bench

• Ordered for CBI Investigation
• A large-scale corruption was exposed
• SSC failed to provide the list of guaranteed untainted candidates
• Terminated the jobs of around 26000 candidates.
• High level ministers, MLAs, touts had to go to the custody

The Calcutta High Court Division bench

• Declared the entire 2016 State Level Selection Test (SLST) recruitment process “null and void”
• Upheld the single bench order of Termination of the jobs of around 26000 candidates

The Supreme Court ruled

• The entire process to be “tainted” and “irretrievably compromised”
• Tainted candidates’ appointments were void and they must refund salaries
• Allowed the Untainted teachers in classes 9-12 to continue temporarily to prevent student disruption
• Ordered for a fresh recruitment process; to complete by December 31, 2025 deadline, with a May 31, 2025 deadline for advertisements.

Government’s Intent

So, if one notices the time line, it continued from December 2016 till April 2025, which has been a quiet time-consuming process. Due to the proceedings, the Government stopped conducting fresh SLST. Now comes up the anomalies of the fresh recruitment process, in addition.

Bikash Bhattacharya and other have already fined petitions against these 10 additional credit points in the name of experience. Now, there are chances that there will be further court proceedings; next, it is bound to defer the entire recruitment process.

On the other, the West Bengal assembly election is coming up in April or May 2026, which is not far away. As a result, the state Government can save them from the huge revenue burden in this loan-driven state. Consequently,  they can divert the funds to populist schemes that might fetch them votes.  However, the priority of the Government in education remains in question.

Hence, the intent of the State Government has to come under the microscopic lenses.