The West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) has issued new directives for candidates appearing in the Group C and Group D recruitment examinations scheduled statewide on 1 March and 8 March 2026. In a bid to strengthen exam security and curb unfair practices, the Commission announced that examinees must wear slippers or sandals instead of covered shoes, which could be used to conceal mobile phones or electronic devices.
New Footwear and Security Guidelines for SSC Exams
The ban on covered footwear such as boots or closed-toe shoes stems from concerns that such footwear can make frisking and security checks difficult, possibly allowing candidates to hide devices that could be used for cheating, including those connected to artificial intelligence tools. SSC Chairman Siddhartha Majumdar emphasised that if footwear is removed during airport security, similar compliance should be acceptable for examination halls to maintain integrity. Under the updated rules:
- Only slippers or flat sandals are permitted inside the exam centres.
- Covered shoes or boots are banned entirely.
- Jewellery, metallic objects, wristwatches, and electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, and smart accessories are prohibited.
- Transparent pens and water bottles are allowed for the exam.
- Candidates with banned items will be required to deposit them at designated counters before entry.
Admit cards for the Group C and Group D exams have been updated to include these directives, and candidates are advised to read all instructions carefully before appearing at the venue.
SSC Exams: Rationale Behind the Measures and Reactions
These measures follow reports from earlier examinations where candidates allegedly concealed devices in footwear to cheat, prompting campaigners for higher exam transparency. By eliminating hidden compartments in shoes, SSC officials hope to make the frisking process smoother and strengthen centre-level vigilance. However, the new footwear rule has drawn some criticism from candidates, particularly those traveling long distances, who find wearing sandals or slippers inconvenient, especially in varied weather or terrain conditions. Despite such concerns, the Commission maintains that transparency and fairness in the recruitment process are paramount.
SSC Exams: Scale of the Upcoming Recruitment Drive
The Group C and Group D recruitment exams are among the state’s largest, with over one lakh candidates expected to appear across nearly 1,700 examination centres designed to fill thousands of vacancies in government schools and administrative posts. The tightening of security protocols comes as authorities aim to ensure that the selection process remains fair, credible, and free of unfair practices. Candidates should follow all SSC instructions regarding permitted and prohibited items, arrive well before reporting time, and cooperate with security checks to avoid issues on exam days.