Supreme Court Upholds Annulment of 25,753 School Appointments in West Bengal

The ruling confirms systemic fraud in the 2016 recruitment process and orders a fresh selection within three months, sparking political and social repercussions.

The Supreme Court of India upheld the Calcutta High Court's decision to invalidate 25,753 school appointments due to fraud and manipulation in the 2016 recruitment process conducted by the WBSSC.
The court found widespread irregularities, including tampering with OMR sheets and rank-jumping, and declared the entire selection process 'vitiated and tainted.'
The West Bengal government has been directed to restart the recruitment process within three months, with disabled employees allowed to retain their jobs on humanitarian grounds.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed disagreement with the judgment but pledged compliance, while opposition parties have intensified criticism of the ruling TMC over corruption allegations.
The decision has left thousands of affected teachers and their families in financial and emotional distress, as investigations by the CBI and ED into bribery and fraud in the recruitment process continue.