The Indian State of Bihar has been forced to cancel its examination for entry into the Public Service after the examination paper appeared online.
Screenshots of the question papers went viral on social media minutes before the examination was due to begin.
Secretary of the State Public Service Commission, Jiut Singh said a three-member committee had been set up to inquire into the matter and would submit a report “within days”.
“We received complaints of a leak at the time of the beginning of the exams,” Mr Singh told reporters.
“We compared the screenshots with the question papers and they tallied, so we were forced to cancel the exam.”
Candidates reacted with dismay: “The exams were to be held in December but were deferred because of elections. Now, there is going to be further delay,” one of them said.
Some 5oo,000 candidates had been scheduled to sit the examination at 1,000 centres across the State.
In a separate development, it has been revealed that vacancies in the civilian ranks of India’s armed forces are increasing due to a slew of court cases challenging promotions.
The court cases are connected to promotions from Deputy Director to Joint Director, leading to a freeze in promotions at lower levels.
When contacted, a Ministry of Defence source said: “The matter is in court. As soon as the necessary directions are received from the court, further action will be initiated.”
New Delhi, 10 May 2022
