West Bengal Meets Supreme Court Deadline: Affidavit Submitted in 2016 SSC Teacher Recruitment Case

The West Bengal state government has meticulously complied with the Supreme Court’s directive to resolve the impasse in the 2016 School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment process. Crucially, the state government, along with the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education and the West Bengal Central School Service Commission, submitted the necessary affidavit before the Supreme Court’s deadline of May 31, 2025, lodging it on May 30th.

The Significance of Timely Action

The Supreme Court had delivered a significant judgment in the 2016 SSC recruitment case on April 3rd of this year. Subsequently, following an application by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education, the apex court issued a modified order on April 17th. According to this directive, the state government and relevant departments were instructed to submit their affidavits by May 31, 2025. This submission was also to include a copy of the notification for the new recruitment process, complete with a full schedule (including dates for form submission, examination, and counselling).

Advocate-on-Record Hima Lawrence filed a letter on behalf of the state at 12:30 PM on May 30, 2025, followed by the detailed undertaking affidavit at 2:13 PM the same day in the Supreme Court. This affidavit also contained the upcoming SSC recruitment notification and its complete timeline.

The submission of this affidavit within the stipulated timeframe was of paramount importance. The job tenure of teachers whose services had been extended until December 31st was dependent on this. Failure to submit the affidavit on time could have jeopardized their employment.

Relief and Next Steps

The state government’s timely action has brought a temporary wave of relief within the education sector. With all concerned parties complying with the court’s order within the deadline, a segment of working teachers can breathe easier for now, and the path for a new recruitment drive has been cleared. It is anticipated that the Supreme Court will make its subsequent decisions based on this affidavit, leading to a transparent and expedited teacher recruitment process in the state. This development has fostered a positive atmosphere in West Bengal’s education system and has rekindled hope among deserving job aspirants.