6.8 lakh take SSC Gr D test

Kolkata: About 6.8 lakh candidates appeared on Sunday for the West Bengal Central School Service Commission (WBCSSC) recruitment test for Group D staff positions at the secondary and higher secondary levels across state schools, against 5,400 vacant posts.State education minister Bratya Basu posted on X after the exam: "In the examination, 86% of the 817,034 candidates participated across 1,707 centres for over 5,400 vacant positions. 2,751 candidates registered from other states, with a significant number from the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. This once again demonstrates that, under the leadership of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Bengal, the state is a place of trust for people of all races, religions, and castes, as the saying goes, ‘Above all is humanity; beyond that there is nothing.'"
A total of 25,752 assistant teachers and staff lost their jobs following a Supreme Court order issued on April 3. Based on the court order, the SSC conducted fresh recruitment tests for these vacancies. The written exams for assistant teacher recruitment were conducted in September, while the clerk recruitment test was held last Sunday. The selection test for Group D posts was the final phase of the recruitment process to fill vacancies created by the Supreme Court's cancellation of appointments.A candidate who lost his job and came to appear for the test said, "It was very difficult for me to run my family without a salary for almost one year. So, I have no other choice but to crack this job; otherwise, I don't know how to run my family."Priyanjana Goldar, who came from Rajarhat, said she appeared for the clerk recruitment written test. "I am appearing for both examinations as I need a job. The paper for the last test was very easy, so I am quite hopeful of getting a job. However, the competition for freshers like me is quite tough as old candidates will get five marks extra."Several candidates from other districts were seen carrying slippers, following the SSC mandate that candidates must enter exam centres wearing slippers only. Palash Ghosh, who came from Nadia, said, "I came to Kolkata wearing shoes and carrying slippers, which I changed into before entering the exam hall." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Women's day wishes, messages and quotes !