The SSC Scam Of West Bengal: A Deep Dive into One of the State’s Biggest Recruitment Scandals

The West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment scam has emerged as a significant controversy, highlighting deep-seated issues within the state's educational recruitment processes. This scandal revolves around the illegal appointment of thousands of teaching and non-teaching staff in state-run and state-aided schools, leading to extensive legal battles and political ramifications.

What is the SSC Scam?

The SSC scam refers to the alleged irregularities in the recruitment process conducted by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) between 2014 and 2021. The appointments in question were for teaching and non-teaching posts in government-aided schools—across primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels.

The scam came to light when a group of unsuccessful candidates filed petitions in the Calcutta High Court, alleging that many individuals who ranked lower than them or were not even on the merit list had been appointed, while they were left out despite scoring higher marks.

Background of the Scam

In 2016, the West Bengal School Service Commission conducted the State Level Selection Test (SLST) to recruit teachers for classes 9 to 12. Approximately 2.3 million candidates appeared for 24,640 advertised positions. However, the commission issued 25,753 appointment letters, exceeding the advertised vacancies. Allegations soon surfaced that many of these appointments were secured through manipulation and bribery, with candidates purportedly paying between ₹5 to ₹15 lakh for positions.

Legal Proceedings and Court Rulings

The irregularities prompted multiple petitions and legal challenges. In April 2024, the Calcutta High Court declared the entire 2016 recruitment process null and void, canceling approximately 24,000 appointments. The court ordered fresh recruitment and directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the alleged malpractices.

The West Bengal government appealed this decision to the Supreme Court. Initially, the Supreme Court issued an interim stay on the High Court's order, allowing the CBI to continue its investigation without taking coercive actions against officials or candidates.

 However, on April 3, 2025, the Supreme Court upheld the Calcutta High Court's decision, confirming the cancellation of over 25,000 teaching and non-teaching staff appointments. The Court deemed the entire recruitment process "tainted" and lacking credibility, mandating fresh recruitment within three months.

Key Players and Arrests

The scam has seen several high-profile names implicated:

Partha Chatterjee: The former West Bengal Education Minister and a senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in July 2022. Crores of rupees in cash and gold were seized from properties linked to his close associate Arpita Mukherjee.

Arpita Mukherjee: A close aide of Partha Chatterjee, Mukherjee was arrested after ED recovered over ₹50 crore in cash and gold from her residences. She is believed to have acted as a conduit for the illicit funds.

Officials of WBSSC and WBBPE: Several senior officials from the School Service Commission and West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBBPE) were arrested for their roles in manipulating the recruitment process.

Political Links: The involvement of political figures has added a sensitive dimension to the case, with accusations of the recruitment scam being used as a political tool to raise funds and reward loyalty.

Political and Administrative Fallout

The scandal has had profound political implications. Partha Chatterjee, the then Minister of Education and a prominent Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader, was arrested in July 2022 in connection with the scam. Following his arrest, Chatterjee was suspended from the TMC and removed from his ministerial positions.

 Opposition parties have leveraged the scandal to criticize the TMC government, alleging systemic corruption and demanding accountability.

Impact of the Scam

On Education: The scam has severely damaged the credibility of the recruitment process in West Bengal’s educational institutions. It has led to teacher shortages, confusion, and demoralization among genuine aspirants.

On Governance: The scandal has exposed deep-rooted corruption in the state's bureaucracy and political system. It has also led to significant public backlash and raised questions about the functioning of state institutions.

On Politics: The SSC scam has become a major political issue, with opposition parties like the BJP and CPI(M) using it to attack the TMC government. It has also caused internal rifts within the ruling party.

Impact on Affected Candidates

The Supreme Court's ruling has resulted in significant consequences for the individuals whose appointments were annulled. The Court ordered these individuals to refund the salaries they had received during their tenure. However, it allowed untainted candidates to reapply for their previous positions in the upcoming recruitment process. Additionally, differently-abled candidates were permitted to continue their employment pending new recruitment.

Ongoing Investigations and Future Implications

The CBI's investigation into the recruitment scam is ongoing, with directives to delve deeper into the irregularities and submit a report within three months. This case underscores the critical need for transparency and accountability in public recruitment processes to prevent such systemic fraud and restore public trust in governmental institutions.

As the state prepares for fresh recruitment drives, the emphasis will be on implementing robust mechanisms to ensure merit-based appointments and to prevent the recurrence of such malpractices.