Odisha Junior Teacher Recruitment: HC rejects OSEPA merit list

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court today rejected the merit list prepared by Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) for the recruitment of junior teachers in primary and upper primary schools across the state.

Hearing pleas alleging irregularities in the recruitment process of junior teachers, the court also rejected the district-wise merit list prepared by the OSEPA.

The court directed the OSEPA to prepare a fresh merit list as per the recruitment terms and guidelines.

Notably, a notification was issued online for recruitment to junior teacher posts in September last year. After the end of the application process, OSEPA released a draft merit list on January 15 this year. Another notification was issued on January 17 informing the candidates for the verification of certificates and other documents in districts.

However, some candidates moved to the high court alleging irregularities in the junior teacher recruitment process. On January 19 this year, the court ordered the state government to put on hold the final selection and appointment of 20,000 junior teachers till next hearing.