1 week ago
Bengal SSC Seeks Eight-Month Extension Over New OBC Quota
West Bengal is trying to recruit teachers for government-aided schools.
The School Service Commission says the job lists must be changed because the OBC reservation rules changed.
The new rule provides 7% reservation for 66 classes.
Earlier, a different rule had provided 17% reservation for 140 classes.
The commission has asked the Supreme Court for eight extra months to finish the work.
Many teaching jobs are still vacant at the secondary and Plus II levels.
Some candidates may lose opportunities because the lists are being redrawn.
One teacher said changing the rules during the process was unfair.
The School Service Commission has asked the Supreme Court for eight more months to complete teacher recruitment.
The commission says it must recast panels to apply a new 7% OBC reservation for 66 classes.
A Calcutta High Court order said OBC-A and OBC-B certificates issued during a specified period were void from the outset.
The recruitment process covers 12,445 vacant Plus II posts and 23,209 secondary-level posts.
A terminated teacher said changing the quota after candidates took the examination was unfair.
- Who
- The School Service Commission, the Supreme Court, the Calcutta High Court, candidates, and terminated teachers are involved.
- What
- The School Service Commission seeks an eight-month extension to recast recruitment panels under a 7% OBC reservation.
- Where
- West Bengal government-aided schools and courts in West Bengal.
- When
- The extension request was made after an August 7, 2026 clarification; the Calcutta High Court order cited was dated August 12, 2026.
- Why
- The commission says the recruitment panels must be redrawn to implement the new OBC reservation policy and related court directions.
Commission and Policy Position
Candidates’ Concerns
Redrawing recruitment panels
Commission and Policy Position
The School Service Commission says recasting the panels is necessary to apply the new 7% OBC reservation and comply with the applicable court and government directions.
Candidates’ Concerns
Candidates who entered the process under the earlier 17% quota may lose opportunities when the panels are redrawn.
Recruitment timeline
Commission and Policy Position
The commission says it needs eight more months after counselling and recruitment activities were disrupted by the election code and the OBC policy clarification.
Candidates’ Concerns
Candidates awaiting appointments face further uncertainty because the process, originally due to conclude by August 31, may be delayed.
Change in quota rules
Commission and Policy Position
The current policy provides 7% reservation for 66 classes, following the chief minister’s May 18, 2026 announcement.
Candidates’ Concerns
Rakesh Alam, one of the terminated teachers, said candidates were told when they took the tests that a 17% OBC quota would apply and called the mid-process change unfair.
Key facts
- Extension sought
- Eight additional months
- New reservation
- 7% OBC quota for 66 classes
- Earlier reservation
- 17% quota—10% for OBC-A and 7% for OBC-B—for 140 classes
- Plus II vacancies
- 12,445 teaching posts
- Secondary vacancies
- 23,209 teaching posts
- Previously recommended
- 3,586 Plus II candidates in 21 subjects
- Earlier appointments terminated
- 17,209 teachers from the 2016 selection process
Quotes
Rakesh Alam
A teacher whose appointment was terminated and who is now affected by the revised OBC quota
“When we wrote the selection tests last September, we were told that there would be a 17% OBC quota. Midway through the process, the rules are being changed. This is unfair and inhuman.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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