Kolkata, India – Approximately 500 teaching job aspirants rallied in Kolkata on Thursday, demanding equitable interview selection criteria. They protested against a policy granting 10 grace marks to candidates who previously qualified in the 2016 recruitment cycle.
Members of the ‘Fresher SSC Candidates Forum’ initiated a procession from College Square. Their intended destination was the West Bengal Assembly. Police personnel intercepted the march at Subodh Mallick Square in central Kolkata. Authorities cited security concerns, as demonstrations are restricted near the assembly premises. Protesters affirmed they would not disperse until their demands were met.
Grace Marks Spark Controversy
The core of the protest centers on the contentious 10-grace-mark system. This benefit is extended to candidates who appeared in the the 2016 State Level Selection Test (SLST) . These individuals, some of whom served as teachers for years, also took the recently conducted 2025 SLST on September 11 . The 2025 exam targeted assistant teacher positions for classes 11-12 in state-aided schools.
“We will not move from the demand that no 10 grace marks be given to old SSC candidates who appeared for tests this time,” stated Prabuddha Maity, a protesting candidate. Maity emphasized that many freshers achieved perfect scores in the written examination. He questioned why those previously employed should receive additional marks, potentially disadvantaging newcomers.
Chaitali Mukherjee, another fresher candidate, secured a qualifying score in the 2025 SLST for classes 11 and 12. However, her name did not appear on the interview panel. Mukherjee articulated a further demand: the swift creation of one lakh additional teaching posts by the state government.
Supreme Court Ruling and Recruitment Drive
The protest follows significant legal developments. In April, the Supreme Court of India invalidated the appointments of nearly 26,000 teaching and non-teaching staff . These individuals were recruited via the 2016 SLST for classes 9-12. The court mandated the completion of fresh recruitment processes by December 31 of the current year.
Responding to the Supreme Court’s directive, the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) announced an interview panel. This announcement came in the last week of November. The panel lists candidates for 12,500 vacant posts for assistant teachers in classes 11-12. All individuals included in this panel successfully qualified in the 2025 SLST written examinations conducted in September.
The ‘Fresher SSC Candidates Forum’ asserts that the grace mark policy undermines fair competition. They contend it prioritizes previous candidates over new entrants who have demonstrated merit in the latest examination.
Path Forward for Aspirants
The ‘Fresher SSC Candidates Forum’ is actively engaging with legal experts. They are exploring all available options to advance their demands. The forum seeks to ensure a transparent, merit-based selection process for all candidates applying for teaching positions in West Bengal’s state-aided schools.
Aspirants are advised to monitor official WBSSC announcements and updates from the ‘Fresher SSC Candidates Forum’ for further information regarding the recruitment process and any legal actions taken.