New Delhi. In the ongoing controversy regarding OBC certificates in West Bengal, the Supreme Court has sought response from the concerned parties including the West Bengal government on the petition challenging the decision of the Calcutta High Court. A bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana has clubbed the case with another similar pending case.
Which OBC certificates did the High Court consider invalid?
The Calcutta High Court, in its order dated August 12, 2026, had said that the respective OBC certificates issued on the basis of the state's May-June 2025 notifications will have no legal effect. According to the order, certificates issued between May 8, 2025 and June 12, 2025 and related certificates issued between June 10, 2025 and May 18, 2026 will be considered 'invalid ab initio'.
What happened in the Supreme Court?
The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the West Bengal government on the petition and sought its reply. During the hearing, a request was made by the petitioners to stop appointments to some government posts, as the matter of validity of OBC certificates is pending. However, the bench refused to stay the appointments.
Those appointed will have to give a letter of condition
The Supreme Court said that vacant government posts cannot be stopped for long. Therefore, the appointments made during this case will be subject to the final decision of the Supreme Court. Instructions have also been given to clearly include this condition in the appointment letters issued to the selected candidates.
sought reply within four weeks
The bench directed the West Bengal government and other concerned parties to file counter affidavits within four weeks. After this, the petitioners have been given two weeks time to file their reply. The matter has been listed for further hearing on November 23.
Controversy started from the decision of 2024
The background of the case is related to the decision of the Calcutta High Court of May 2024. In that decision, the court had struck down the provisions related to inclusion of several categories in the OBC list, classification into OBC-A and OBC-B and distribution of 17 percent reservation through executive orders during 2010 to 2012. After this, the West Bengal government had issued notifications related to the revised OBC reservation system in May and June 2025.
Now waiting for the decision of the Supreme Court
The final question of the validity of the OBC certificates issued on the basis of the notifications of May-June 2025 is now before the Supreme Court. At present, the court has not given the final decision on the High Court order regarding the certificates. Therefore, further decision on the status of affected candidates and appointees will depend on the hearing of the Supreme Court.