Uttarakhand CM Bows to Student Fury as CBI Probe Ordered in Exam Leak Scandal

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami personally engaged with protesting students at Dehradun's Parade Ground, assuring them of the state's recommendation for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged paper leak in the Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UKSSSC) graduate-level examination. The September 21 exam, intended for recruitment to over 1,000 posts across various state departments, descended into controversy when screenshots of three question paper pages surfaced on social media within 30 minutes of its start at 11 a.m. This rapid leak, traced to a single exam center in Dehradun, ignited widespread outrage among over 2 lakh aspirants, many from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, who view government jobs as a pathway to stability in the hill state plagued by unemployment rates hovering at 12%.

Dhami, visibly moved by the protesters' determination amid the sweltering heat during the festive season, emphasized the government's unwavering commitment to transparency, stating, "There will be no obstruction in this matter. The government doesn't want to leave any doubts or suspicions in the minds of the youth." An Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Dehradun Rural Superintendent of Police Jaya Baluni and supervised by a retired High Court judge, was formed on September 24 to probe the incident. However, yielding to the students' insistent demands—led by groups like Uttarakhand Berozgar Sangh and Uttarakhand Swabhiman Morcha—Dhami announced the CBI recommendation, reversing his September 28 stance that the SIT should complete its work first. He also promised to withdraw any cases filed against peaceful protesters, underscoring empathy by noting he could have summoned them to his office but chose to meet them at the site to witness their "suffering."

The scandal echoes Uttarakhand's troubled history of exam malpractices, including the massive 2021 UKSSSC leaks that led to multiple cancellations and the enactment of the stringent Uttarakhand Competitive Examination (Prevention and Control of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Ordinance, 2023—touted as India's toughest anti-cheating law. Investigations have so far netted arrests including main accused Khalid Malik, who allegedly photographed the papers, and repeat offender Hakam Singh Rawat with associate Pankaj Gaur, caught extorting Rs 12-15 lakh from candidates for "guaranteed success." UKSSSC Chairman Ganesh Singh Martolia downplayed it as not a "full-fledged leak" but an isolated breach despite jammers at centers, yet prohibitory orders were imposed to curb escalating protests that saw clashes with police and demands for exam cancellation. No organized gang involvement has been confirmed, but the viral spread via social media, allegedly initiated by a center invigilator tipping off a Morcha leader, has fueled accusations of systemic failures.

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Over the past four years, Dhami's BJP-led government has conducted over 25,000 recruitments without complaints, arresting nearly 100 "cheating mafia" members under the new law. This isolated case, Dhami argued, highlights their resolve rather than a pattern, but opposition Congress leader Karan Mahara lambasted the administration for failing to eradicate the mafia despite legislative bravado. The CM reiterated that transparency is paramount, with the CBI nod aimed at restoring faith among the youth. As the SIT's probe continues—questioning center staff and analyzing jammer efficacy—the government's actions could set a precedent for handling future irregularities, potentially averting broader unrest in a state where youth unemployment drives migration and discontent ahead of 2027 polls.

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