Kolkata, Oct 9 (NationPress) The West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) announced the recruitment for Group-C and Group-D positions on Thursday, according to officials.

According to the announcement, the application period will be from November 3 to December 3.

This recruitment drive is focused on filling non-teaching staff positions.

The notification highlights that there are 2,989 vacancies for Group C roles.

In addition, there are 5,488 vacancies available for Group D.

Applicants from the general category must pay Rs 400 for their applications.

Those belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and differently-abled categories will need to pay Rs 150.

It is important to note that candidates with a tainted background or those who are ineligible will not be allowed to apply.

State Education Minister Bratya Basu shared the news on his official X account, stating, "The West Bengal Central School Service Commission has released a notification for recruitment to Group C and Group D positions in schools across West Bengal. This is a significant initiative by the School Education Department of the state government, guided and closely monitored by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, aimed at providing employment opportunities for the youth of Bengal! I wish all applicants the best of luck!"

Last month, the SSC conducted the State Level Selection Test (SLST) in two phases to recruit teachers for Classes 9 to 12.

This SLST was the first in nine years, intended to fill 35,726 teaching positions for classes 9-10 and 11-12.

Out of these vacancies, 23,212 are for Classes 9 and 10, and 12,514 are for Classes 11 and 12.

This new examination is being conducted in light of a recent teacher recruitment scandal that has significantly affected West Bengal politics.

Numerous individuals, including former State Education Minister Partha Chatterjee, Trinamool MLA Jiban Krishna Saha, and many officials from the State Education Department, were apprehended by central investigation agencies for engaging in extensive corruption, assisting candidates in obtaining teaching positions in exchange for money, and manipulating OMR sheets.

On April 3, the Supreme Court invalidated the appointments of around 26,000 teachers and non-teaching personnel whose recruitment occurred through the 2016 selection process.

The new exams are being conducted following a Supreme Court directive, which also prohibits previously tainted and ineligible candidates from participating in the upcoming examination.

On August 30, the WBSSC released the list of 1,806 tainted candidates who had secured teaching roles via the recruitment scam, in accordance with the Supreme Court ruling.