10% examinees appear from other states, express worries over jobs & slow recruitment back home
Times of India | 8 September 2025
Kolkata: Over 31,000 candidates from Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar and Rajasthan appeared for the state-level selection test for classes IX-X, expressing concerns about unemployment in their respective states.
Valmiki Singh, 29, who came from Prayagraj, appeared for the first part of the second SLST exam conducted by SSC at Maharaja Manindra Chandra College. He is taking both exams for IX-X and XI-XII. "We have no choice as the recruitment process in our state is very slow. I appeared for the 2021 recruitment test in our state but couldn't qualify. The next exam's form was released in 2022 but the examination was not conducted.
What can we do? Politicians are less concerned about the interests of the masses. They know how to serve their interests. Next week, I will come again to appear for the second exam," he said.
Abdul Kadir from Uttar Pradesh's Gonda district and Sandip Yadav from Prayagraj were found checking their carbon copies of OMR sheets outside the exam hall. Sandip said, "I appeared for mathematics. I am quite hopeful about the result as the paper was very easy."
When asked why so many students from Uttar Pradesh came to Bengal for this exam, he said, "We all want jobs. If they're not available in our state, then there is no choice but to move to other states.
Not only Bengal, I have no trouble moving to other states as I am passionate about a govt job."
Babita Kumari, who came from Jharkhand to appear for the exam along with her sister and mother, highlighted the same issue in their state as well.
Mahavir Jha, a resident of Muzaffarpur, Bihar, said, "Corruption in exams happens in every state. Exams are being held in Bengal after a long time. I am well-prepared in my subject, so I applied here. However, we hope that jobs are given based on merit, not corruption."
Jaleshwar Mahato from Dhanbad stated, "What happened in Bengal is deplorable. Whether in Bengal, Bihar, or other states, exam-related corruption is common.
Those involved in this corruption should face severe punishment."
Uttar Pradesh's Ranjana Biswakarma came to Kolkata along with her two kids and her husband a day before the exam. "A job is important for everyone. I am also preparing for the exam to get a govt job, whether it is in state or outside. In 2021, I couldn't appear as I didn't have the requisite qualification. Last year, I completed my BEd and appeared for this exam."