Why Was the Uttar Pradesh Assistant Professor Exam Cancelled?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Examination cancelled due to a paper leak.
- Involvement of a gang in leaking question papers.
- Former Chairperson asked to resign for integrity issues.
- STF investigation led to arrests of key individuals.
- Government's commitment to fair recruitment processes emphasized.
Lucknow, Jan 7 (NationPress) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has mandated the cancellation of the Assistant Professor recruitment exam conducted in April 2025 by the Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC), attributing it to significant irregularities and a breach of the exam's integrity resulting from a question paper leak.
This decision follows a comprehensive investigation by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) that unveiled a network engaged in leaking and distributing exam papers, as stated in an official press release on Wednesday.
The examination, scheduled for April 16 and 17, 2025, under advertisement number 51, has been annulled to safeguard the futures of aspiring candidates and to maintain transparency within the state's recruitment processes.
As per the press note, the STF received intelligence regarding fraudulent activities and illicit financial transactions linked to the examination. On April 20, 2025, three suspects — Mehboob Ali, Baijnath Pal, and Vinay Pal — were apprehended for their roles in preparing and disseminating leaked examination papers.
Mehboob Ali, recognized as the confidential assistant to the then Chairperson of the Commission, admitted to acquiring the question papers during the moderation phase and selling them to candidates, the report indicated.
The investigation, bolstered by mobile data analysis and informant networks, disclosed that the examination's fairness had been severely compromised. To uphold impartiality, the former Chairperson was requested to resign. An FIR has been lodged under pertinent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Reiterating his dedication to fair and corruption-free recruitment practices, CM Yogi Adityanath instructed the UPESSC to conduct the examination again "as soon as possible" in a fully transparent manner.
"The government is fully committed to ensuring an independent, fair, and transparent selection process," the release highlighted, framing this move as a measure to protect the "bright future" of candidates. This cancellation emphasizes the Yogi government's zero-tolerance stance towards exam malpractices, amidst ongoing initiatives to uphold the integrity of public recruitments throughout the state. Candidates are encouraged to stay alert for further updates from the UPESSC regarding the revised exam schedule.