SSC SLST case: New Case on Expired Panel Teachers Taking Exam! What Did SSC Tell the High Court?

SSC SLST case: A new case has been filed in the Calcutta High Court against the School Service Commission (SSC) related to the 2016 recruitment process. The challenge has been made regarding the eligibility of teachers, who were given appointment letters after their panel had expired, to sit for the new SLST examination. The primary question raised by the petitioners is how individuals whose appointments were deemed ‘illegal’ by the court can participate in a new recruitment process.

Background of the Case

The 2016 SLST recruitment process has been controversial for a long time. On April 22, 2024, a Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court cancelled this entire recruitment process. Specifically, candidates who were given jobs after their panel’s expiry were categorised as ‘Tainted’. The court had ordered them to return their entire salary with 12% interest. However, following a subsequent order from the Supreme Court, these teachers were able to rejoin their services.

The Current Controversy

The rules published by the School Service Commission (SSC) for the new SLST exam in 2025 have allocated 10 marks for prior teaching experience, which is the root of the current dispute.

• Publication of ‘Tainted’ List: The SSC published a ‘Tainted’ list of 1806 individuals on its official website, stating that those on the list cannot participate in the new selection process.
• Petitioners’ Allegation: Advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, representing the petitioners, argued that the teachers who were appointed after their panel had expired (and whose appointments were considered ‘illegal’ by the High Court and Supreme Court) have been kept out of this ‘Tainted’ list. As a result, they are being allowed to sit for the new exam and are gaining an unfair advantage by receiving an additional 10 marks for experience.

Hearing in the High Court

The case was heard on November 13, 2025, in the court of Justice Amrita Sinha at the Calcutta High Court. During the hearing, advocate Kalyan Banerjee, representing the SSC, argued that since the main case is pending in the Supreme Court, a hearing on this matter cannot proceed in the High Court.

The Court’s Next Step

After hearing both sides, Justice Amrita Sinha stated that since the core issue is sub-judice in the Supreme Court with a hearing scheduled for the 24th, she will not intervene in the matter until a clarification is received from the apex court. The next hearing for this case has been listed for the upcoming 28th. It now remains to be seen what directions the Supreme Court will issue and what steps the High Court will take based on that.