The shadow of exam paper leaks has once again returned to Uttarakhand, with fresh allegations surfacing against the UKSSSC recruitment exam conducted on Sunday, 21 September. The written test for graduate-level posts, including Patwari, BDO and BPDO, has been marred by claims that portions of the question paper were circulated online shortly after the exam began.
Reports suggest that three pages of the paper were leaked from a Dehradun exam centre just 30 to 35 minutes after the exam started at 11 am. Screenshots began circulating around 11:34 am, raising suspicions of organised malpractice. Some candidates alleged that parts of the paper were available even before the official start, though the Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UKSSSC) has denied a large-scale breach.
The Commission clarified that only a few pages appeared from one centre and announced that a detailed police probe had been sought. Officials emphasised that mobile jammers had been installed at all venues, while the Special Task Force and Dehradun Police have been tasked with identifying how the content leaked despite safeguards.
Tensions escalated in the capital as the Uttarakhand Swabhiman Morcha and other groups called for protests. Anticipating unrest, the district administration issued prohibitory orders late Sunday night, restricting gatherings of more than five people at 12 locations in Dehradun under section 163 of the BNSS.
The controversy deepened with the arrest of two men, including Hakam Singh from Uttarkashi, already a repeat offender in paper-leak cases. He and an aide, Pankaj Gaur, allegedly demanded between ₹12 to ₹15 lakh from aspirants, promising to secure their selection in the exam. Police are investigating whether any money actually exchanged hands or if the racket managed to influence results.
The opposition Congress lashed out at the state government, questioning its failure to prevent recurring leaks despite enacting the Uttarakhand Competitive Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act in 2023. Critics allege that a strong &ldquo;cheating mafia&rdquo; continues to undermine the recruitment process, eroding the trust of thousands of job seekers.
For now, UKSSSC has not cancelled the exam but said further decisions will depend on the outcome of the police investigation. Aspirants, meanwhile, are demanding clarity and accountability, worried that their future is once again trapped in uncertainty due to systemic lapses.

Uttarakhand exam leak sparks protests in Dehradun

Fresh UKSSSC paper leak claims lead to arrests and prohibitory orders in Dehradun

Uttarakhand exam leak sparks protests in Dehradun

Fresh UKSSSC paper leak claims lead to arrests and prohibitory orders in Dehradun

September 22, 2025 | 20:30 IST