Another paper leak claim rocks Uttarakhand recruitment system once again, triggering widespread protests in Dehradun despite prohibitory orders. Just a day after two arrests linked to exam-fixing, fresh allegations emerged that the latest recruitment paper was circulating within 30 minutes of the test starting, intensifying pressure on the state government.
The fresh controversy
The Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC) held its graduate-level exam on Sunday. By 11:30 am—just half an hour after the test began—allegations surfaced that the paper had leaked. While police initially dismissed the claims as “misleading social media posts,” political groups and aspirants pointed fingers at systemic failures.
Adding fuel to the fire, one of the accused, Hakam Singh, had earlier been arrested as the “mastermind” of the infamous 2021 UKSSSC paper leak, raising questions about recurring lapses in the recruitment process.
Protests despite prohibitory orders
The Dehradun district administration imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the BNSS to prevent gatherings. Yet, large groups of unemployed youth under banners like Uttarakhand Berozgar Sangh and Swabhiman Morcha mobilised at the Parade Ground and other locations.
- Bobby Panwar, Swabhiman Morcha leader, claimed he received leaked paper snapshots at 11:30 am.
- Tribhuvan Chauhan, another youth leader, joined the protests, criticising the government for failing aspirants.
- Heavy police deployment could not deter the demonstrations, with slogans demanding accountability echoing across the city.
Early WhatsApp messages deepen suspicion
According to the FIR, a college professor, Suman, received paper snapshots via WhatsApp at 11:35 am from Khalid Malik, who claimed his sister was appearing for the exam. Within 10 minutes, she allegedly solved the questions and returned the answers.
While police now suggest the leak may have been isolated and not linked to organised gangs, the sequence of events has raised widespread doubts about the integrity of the exam process.
Impact on youth, economy, and investor confidence
Frequent exam leaks have consequences beyond disrupted careers:
- Youth unrest: With thousands of aspirants preparing for years, each leak deepens frustration and erodes trust in institutions.
- Economic setback: Failed recruitment cycles mean delayed government hiring, affecting state administration and public service delivery.
- Investor sentiment: Political instability and recurring protests over exam corruption risk denting Uttarakhand’s image as a safe destination for new industries and start-ups.
Education policy expert Dr. R. K. Joshi said, “When exams are repeatedly tainted by leaks, the confidence of both students and employers collapses. It is not just a social issue—it undermines governance and economic stability.”
Political blame game
The Opposition Congress has accused the BJP-led state government of negligence, pointing out that suspects like Hakam Singh continued their networks despite earlier arrests. Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya said, “The state’s biggest suspect walked out of jail and resumed selling exam papers. This shows weak prosecution and government failure.”
BJP MLA Khajan Das countered that over 25,000 appointments had been made fairly in the past three years, insisting that Sunday’s controversy may have been exaggerated.
What the SIT probe could mean
An SIT (Special Investigation Team) has been constituted to probe the case, while the UKSSSC has formally requested a deeper inquiry. Police have registered cases under the Uttarakhand Competitive Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means in Recruitment and Remedies) Act, 2023.
If proven, this would be one of the biggest recruitment exam scams since 2021. But if the SIT concludes no systemic leak occurred, it could restore some trust in the process.
The road ahead
The another paper leak claim rocks Uttarakhand governance at a critical time. The state faces mounting unemployment pressures, and repeated exam scandals are damaging the aspirations of thousands of young candidates.
Stricter surveillance, digital monitoring of exams, and faster judicial trials for offenders are likely to be part of upcoming reforms. The government also faces pressure to ensure that upcoming recruitment drives are transparent, tamper-proof, and fair.
Conclusion ?
With the another paper leak claim rocks Uttarakhand exam system again, do you think stricter digital monitoring is the solution, or is deeper judicial reform needed to restore trust?