BENGAL OBC CERTIFICATE DISPUTE REACHES APEX COURT AS RECRUITMENTS GET CONDITIONAL GREEN LIGHT

October 1, 2026

The Supreme Court has sought a response from the West Bengal government on a petition challenging a Calcutta High Court decision that invalidated Other Backward Classes certificates issued under revised rules during 2025 and 2026.

A bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana issued notice in the matter after hearing petitions from candidates who had relied on the disputed certificates during recruitment processes. The case concerns the legal validity of the certificates and their consequences for candidates who have already participated in selection exercises.

While considering the petitions, the Supreme Court declined to halt ongoing state recruitment processes. It permitted appointments to proceed, but made them subject to the final outcome of the case.

The court also directed that appointment letters issued to successful candidates should clearly state that their appointments will remain subject to the result of the pending proceedings. This allows recruitment to continue without prejudging the legal dispute over the certificates.

The controversy follows the Calcutta High Court’s intervention in the state’s OBC framework. The High Court had questioned the validity of certificates issued under revised rules and subsequently ordered the cancellation of certificates issued during the period covered by the challenged notifications.

The dispute has implications for candidates who used these certificates to claim reservation benefits in government employment. A final ruling could determine how the certificates are treated and what happens to appointments made on their basis.

The Supreme Court’s latest order does not finally decide the validity of the OBC certificates. The Centre and the West Bengal government will now respond to the petitions, while the appointments allowed during the proceedings will remain subject to the apex court’s eventual decisio