SIT finds irregularities in APPSC Group-I recruitment

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged irregularities in the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission’s (APPSC) Group-I recruitment process has reported extensive violations at multiple stages of the examination, including alleged manipulation of OMR sheets, unauthorised evaluation, forged signatures and alterations to examination records.

The Group-I recruitment notification was issued on December 31, 2018. Of the nearly 1.14 lakh candidates who applied, 59,205 appeared for the preliminary examination conducted in May 2019, with 9,679 qualifying for the mains. The mains were held from December 14 to 20, 2020, with 6,807 candidates completing all seven papers. Ultimately, 326 candidates were shortlisted and 165 selected.

According to the SIT findings, irregularities allegedly began during evaluation. The investigation has alleged that then APPSC Secretary and senior IPS officer P.S.R. Anjaneyulu took charge of the examination process without the approval of then Commission Chairman Uday Bhaskar. Digital evaluation was allegedly outsourced to TrueGrader EduServices Pvt. Ltd., reportedly owned by Anjaneyulu’s college associate Akella Peri Srinivas, for Rs 1.38 crore.

The SIT alleged that 25 persons, including schoolteachers and private college lecturers, were engaged in evaluation despite not being part of the authorised panel. It also alleged that some evaluators had themselves failed the preliminary examination.

Following legal challenges to digital evaluation, answer scripts were reportedly moved from the APPSC strong room to Hi-Land Resorts, where they allegedly remained for 84 days. Manual evaluation was reportedly entrusted to ComSign Media, allegedly associated with another Anjaneyulu associate, for Rs 1.14 crore.

The investigation alleged that instead of 452 subject experts identified by APPSC, 66 data-entry operators were used for evaluation, including persons employed as electricians, security guards, clerks and homemakers. It further alleged that OMR sheets were altered, bubbling was carried out at the premises and signatures of examiners and officials were forged.

Forensic examination has emerged as a key component of the investigation. Examination records of 736 candidates were sent to seven Central Forensic Science Laboratories, while 173 witnesses were examined.

The SIT reported alterations or additions in 718 of the 736 OMR sheets examined, representing 97.55 per cent. Among the 165 selected candidates examined, 160 OMR sheets reportedly showed alterations. Of 408 candidates who approached the courts, alterations were allegedly detected in 405 cases.

The investigation also reported discrepancies in signatures, use of different inks and handwriting patterns, alterations in question papers and the use of whitener on 169 OMR sheets.

The findings indicate that the alleged violations extended across evaluation, storage and handling of examination material, OMR processing and record management, raising questions over compliance with APPSC regulations and prescribed examination procedures.