In a significant ruling, the Calcutta High Court has struck down the decision to create 1,600 supernumerary posts for teachers in West Bengal. The court set aside the move by the School Service Commission (SSC) to establish these additional positions for work education and physical education instructors.
Court Rejects Gap-Filling Argument
Justice Basu, presiding over the case, delivered the judgment on December 4, 2025. A key point of the ruling was the court's clear rejection of the justification offered for creating these posts. Justice Basu stated that the bench was unable to accept the argument presented by one of the respondents in the petition. The respondent had claimed that the supernumerary posts were necessary as a gap-filling measure.
Details of the Controversial Posts
The contested posts involved 1,600 supernumerary positions specifically for teachers of work education and physical education. Supernumerary posts are typically created over and above the sanctioned strength, often leading to legal and administrative complexities. The SSC's decision to create such a large number of these posts had been challenged through a petition, leading to the high court's intervention and subsequent verdict.
Implications for Recruitment and Policy
This judgment has immediate and far-reaching consequences for the teacher recruitment process in West Bengal. By quashing the creation of these posts, the court has:
- Invalidated the SSC's specific recruitment drive for these 1,600 positions.
- Set a legal precedent regarding the use of supernumerary posts as a gap-filling tool.
- Directed attention back to the standard, sanctioned recruitment channels for teaching staff.
The ruling underscores the necessity for recruiting bodies like the SSC to adhere strictly to established norms and procedures. It prevents the creation of backdoor entry channels through the justification of filling gaps, ensuring a more transparent and equitable recruitment process for all candidates aspiring to become teachers in the state.
