A new dispute has broken out regarding the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission’s recent assistant teacher hiring drive. The vacancy notice listed no positions for OBC applicants in the primary teacher category, with their total share across the drive at roughly 5 percent. This has led OBC groups to announce plans for statewide demonstrations.
The breakdown of openings shows that 1,909 primary teacher posts for classes 1 to 5 were allocated only to unreserved, Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste and Economically Weaker Section categories. No posts were set aside for BC-I and BC-II, the two groups that make up OBC reservations in the state.
The notice for graduate-trained social science teachers likewise omitted any openings for BC-I and BC-II candidates. OBC shares appeared only in language, science and mathematics teacher categories.
Overall figures indicate the unreserved category received about 44 percent of posts, Scheduled Tribes 28 percent, Scheduled Castes 14 percent and Economically Weaker Section nearly 9 percent. BC-I and BC-II together received only around 5 percent.
The notice gave no explanation for the roster preparation or the exclusion of BC-I and BC-II candidates from primary and social science teacher posts.
OBC organisations have submitted a memorandum to the chief minister calling for changes to the notice. They argue that OBCs form about 52 percent of the state population and should receive their full 14 percent reservation.
One clause in the notice states that candidates who cleared the Jharkhand Teacher Eligibility Test or similar exams under reserved categories can only compete for reserved posts. Critics say this blocks qualified OBC candidates from unreserved seats on merit and conflicts with national teacher education guidelines.
The groups demand removal of the clause, revised vacancy distribution and a new notice. They have warned of protests, including rallies and human chains, if these steps are not taken.
The commission’s secretary stated the matter lies outside its scope and belongs to the concerned department. OBC leaders countered that the commission issued the notice and therefore bears responsibility to address concerns rather than shift blame.
