SLST again slipped back into an endless cycle

The supreme court has again sent back all the SLST related cases to Calcutta High Court on 26/11/2025. Thus, the role and motives of SSC have again come under the scanner. Therefore, dark clouds of uncertainty now gather over the heads of those who took the SLST exam this time. The corruption-ridden SSC scam has landed in yet another endless loop in West Bengal.

The apex court heard multiple issues, including the challenge to the 2025 rules based on which the test is being held.  Earlier, the High Court cancelled the entire 2016 panel. The Supreme Court upheld that decision and allowed the non-tainted candidates to continue till December 31 to prevent disruption in the education system. The apex court then directed the SSC to complete the recruitment of non-tainted candidates within that deadline.  Now a chaotic situation will arise from January 01, 2026.

It also debarred the tainted candidates and ordered them to return their salaries. However, the West Bengal Government and the SSC have still failed to recover the money.

Confusion about new rules in SLST

We can recall that Bikash Bhattacharya had filed a petition against the new rules framed by SSC in West Bengal. But the court refrained from interference as it was the under the jurisdiction of the executive authority. SSC issued the recruitment notice following an increase in the number of sanctioned posts. They also allowed the freshers to participate in the test along with the 2016 candidates. The new rules have preserved 10 points for the candidates with teaching experiences. Hence, it had indirectly awarded an edge to the candidates of the 2016 panel.

But once the interview call list had come to broad day light, it created another chaos. Candidates even after securing 100% marks in the written in SLST test didn’t receive the interview call. We have been witnessing various protests and sit-ins across Kolkata and Salt Lake for quite some time. Time and again, images of police over-action and inhuman behavior have surfaced.

In the end, the truth is stark; The proceedings failed to bring satisfaction either among the old candidates or the freshers.

Expensive Lawyers yield a big zero

It is shocking. The expensive counsel of the SSC and the West Bengal Government failed to comprehend the judgment. Reports reveal that the Government has spent 65 crores behind the lawyers in last 5 years. Such a climax raises doubt whether the lawyers misspelt the judgment, or there is some other intent behind the curtain. Critics say, the Government somehow wants to preserve the funds before election as they are in tight corner.

We have no interest in anything else. We only notice the misery of those boys and girls who lost their jobs after working for 7–8 years. The people know that corruption has cast a dark shadow over the entire recruitment system. We also know that nothing happens without the knowledge of the ever-conscious government. People say that in this state, not even a leaf moves without the Chief Minister’s knowledge.

Way to look forward

Following the court’s order, the deserving teachers became hopeful. Consequently, the SLST exam finally took place, after a long time. Today, they are in despair. The freshers, who prepared for years and appeared this time, are also devastated. The government and the SSC framed the rules. Their expertise is beyond doubt. Yet the unrest continues. Yet the cries of the job losers have not stopped.

We expect, a humanitarian government will surely try to resolve this complex situation; if not for justice, then at least to save its image before the election. Our earnest request to everyone, across all political lines, to come together and find a solution.