SC allows 'untainted' Bengal teachers to continue work, directs fresh hiring by December 31

In a significant development for thousands of teaching professionals in West Bengal, the Supreme Court on Thursday allowed “untainted” assistant teachers — whose appointments were cancelled following an earlier verdict — to continue teaching in state-sponsored and aided schools. The court clarified that the decision was made keeping the welfare of students in mind, even though it stood by its earlier judgment invalidating the entire recruitment process.

The apex court also directed the West Bengal government to begin a fresh recruitment drive for teachers and non-teaching staff by May 31, 2025, and complete it by December 31, 2025. This move is aimed at ensuring that schools are not left understaffed while also maintaining transparency in the hiring process.

Earlier, on April 3, the Supreme Court had cancelled the appointments of over 25,000 teaching and non-teaching staff made through the 2016 School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment process. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar had ruled that the selection process was deeply flawed, tainted by irregularities and manipulation, and thus could not be upheld.

The verdict triggered widespread unrest among those who lost their jobs. Many of the affected educators insisted they were not part of the alleged scam and were unjustly punished due to SSC's failure to differentiate between genuine and fraudulent appointments. As a result, they launched protests and sit-ins demanding justice and reinstatement.

Last week, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met with thousands of dismissed teaching and non-teaching personnel. Expressing solidarity, she assured them of support and emphasized that her government would do everything possible to restore their dignity and livelihoods.