Uttarakhand: On October 11, 2025, the Uttarakhand government announced the cancellation of the graduate-level recruitment examination conducted by the Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UKSSSC) on September 21, 2025. The decision followed reports of a question paper leak from the Adarsh Bal Sadan Inter College examination center in Haridwar. Over one lakh candidates had appeared for the exam, which was intended to fill 416 vacancies in various state government departments.
Findings of the Judicial Inquiry
A judicial inquiry led by retired High Court judge UC Dhyani revealed significant security lapses during the examination. The report highlighted the absence of mobile jammers at the examination center, which allowed a candidate, Khalid Malik, to use a hidden phone to photograph and leak 12 questions. The leaked content was subsequently shared through a network involving Malik’s sister, assistant professor Suman Chauhan, and protest leader Bobby Panwar. In response, authorities arrested Malik and suspended four officials, including Chauhan, pending further investigation.
Government’s Response and Public Outcry
The cancellation of the exam came after eight days of protests in Dehradun by job aspirants and the Berozgar Sangh, demanding justice and transparency. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the protest site and assured demonstrators that the government would not tolerate any malpractice. He announced that a re-examination would be conducted within three months and recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter.
Recommendations for Future Reforms
In light of the incident, job aspirants met with Justice UC Dhyani to suggest reforms aimed at preventing future irregularities. Proposals included implementing a one-time registration system to avoid repetitive applications, enhancing document verification processes to prevent multiple applications by the same candidate, and introducing an “option E” on answer sheets for candidates unsure of an answer, to curb post-exam tampering. Additionally, they urged for heightened security measures at exam centers, such as deploying police personnel days before the tests.
Implications for Recruitment Integrity
The recurrence of such malpractices, despite previous reforms like the enactment of the Uttarakhand Competitive Exam Act, 2023, has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the recruitment process in the state. Critics have called for the resignation of UKSSSC Chairman GS Martolia, citing ongoing trust issues surrounding recruitment integrity. The government has pledged to implement stricter measures to ensure transparency and fairness in future examinations.
The cancellation of the UKSSSC graduate-level examination and the subsequent recommendations for a CBI inquiry underscore the government’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the recruitment process. The proposed reforms aim to restore public trust and ensure that future examinations are conducted transparently and fairly. As the re-examination approaches, stakeholders hope that these measures will pave the way for a more credible and accountable recruitment system in Uttarakhand.
