In a landmark decision aimed at ensuring transparency in state recruitment, the Calcutta High Court has issued a stern directive to the West Bengal Police Recruitment Board (PRB). Presiding over the case, Justice Sougata Bhattacharya ordered the board to publish the complete merit list of the written examination, including the marks obtained by each candidate. This list must be made public before the commencement of the interview phase.

The controversy dates back to the 2024 recruitment cycle, for which the written examination was conducted in 2025. When the results were declared on December 29 last year, candidates were shocked to find a list devoid of marks. Alleging a lack of accountability, several aspirants challenged this “mark-less” list in court. The High Court’s ruling now forces the board to disclose individual scores, effectively curbing any potential for foul play in the final selection.

Parallelly, the court addressed a separate grievance involving 15 candidates, including Amana Khatun and Taslima Nasrin, regarding physical standards. These candidates alleged discrepancies in height measurements during the physical tests, claiming their recorded height was lower than previous official measurements. Taking a sympathetic yet firm view, Justice Bhattacharya allowed these 15 candidates to submit fresh applications within the next 48 hours. The Recruitment Board has been mandated to review these applications and pass a reasoned decision within one week. This dual intervention by the High Court marks a significant victory for job seekers demanding a fair and merit-based hiring process in West Bengal.