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What happened
On November 17, 2025, fresh protests occurred in Kolkata concerning the recruitment of teachers for state-aided schools in West Bengal. Candidates expressed outrage over the inclusion of disqualified individuals in the interview list, despite a Supreme Court order barring them from the process. Many non-teaching candidates reportedly received extra credits for work experience, which was meant for teaching experience only. Protesters demanded an increase in vacant positions and questioned how disqualified candidates were allowed to participate. State Education Minister Bratya Basu urged candidates to trust the recruitment process, which aims to be completed by December 31, 2025. The situation is further complicated by allegations of bribery involving a Trinamool Congress MLA, raising concerns about corruption in the recruitment process.
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Key insights
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Protests Highlight Recruitment Issues
Candidates are protesting against the inclusion of disqualified individuals in the teacher recruitment process.
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2
Supreme Court's Role
A Supreme Court order aimed to ensure fairness in the hiring process, but concerns remain.
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3
Allegations of Corruption
Accusations of bribery involving a political figure add to the controversy surrounding the recruitment.
Takeaways
The protests in Kolkata underscore significant concerns regarding the integrity of the teacher recruitment process in West Bengal. With allegations of corruption and unfair practices, the situation calls for transparency and accountability to restore trust among candidates.