A major wave of student protests has swept across Uttarakhand following the alleged leak of three pages from the Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UKSSSC) graduate-level recruitment examination held on September 21, 2025.
Students held protests at the Parade Ground demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry, cancellation of the UKSSSC exam, and strict punishment for those responsible for the alleged paper leak during the recent Uttarakhand government recruitment exam. The leak purportedly occurred within 30 minutes of the exam starting, leading to widespread outrage among youth and aspirants.
Authorities have arrested the accused, Khalid Malik, his associates, and formed special investigations teams, while the government insists no organised gang is involved. Prohibitory orders were imposed to control protests amid ongoing police investigations.
Protest and Student Outcry
Led by youth groups such as Uttarakhand Berozgar Sangh and Uttarakhand Swabhiman Morcha, students gathered despite strict prohibitory orders, demanding transparency and justice. Activists accused the government of systemic negligence and called for the exam to be re-conducted within a month.
They highlighted the trauma faced by thousands of aspirants who prepare for months for such competitive exams, only to lose faith due to malpractice. Protest leaders Bobby Panwar and Tribhuvan Chauhan, known social figures, have been actively vocal, with Panwar criticising administration failures and questioning the timing and method of the leak. Youths also protested vehemently at Buddha Park in Haldwani.
Incident Background and Official Actions
The leak was traced to Haridwar’s Adarsh Bal Sadan Inter College, where the accused allegedly carried a mobile phone concealed to take photos of the exam paper and sent images to accomplices. The digital trail shows that Malik allegedly sent the photographed pages to his sister Sabia Malik, who forwarded them to assistant professor Suman Chauhan for answers.
The accused mastermind, Khalid Malik, along with his sisters and others, is currently under police custody for further questioning. Police deny involvement of organised gangs, attributing the case to a conspiracy of a few individuals.
Additional arrests include Hakam Singh Rawat, a notorious figure previously involved in the 2021 UKSSSC paper leak scandal, and his associate Pankaj Gaur, who were caught demanding ₹12-15 lakh from candidates to ensure their success in the examination.
The government has assured strict action under the Uttarakhand Competitive Examination Act, 2023, and declared the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to uncover the full extent of the scam. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken a strong stance against the examination malpractices, vowing that no one involved in corruption will be spared.
UKSSSC Chairman’s Official Position
UKSSSC Chairman Ganesh Singh Martolia has acknowledged the leak while attempting to downplay its severity. “This is not a case of full-fledged paper leak. Three pages of the question paper have been leaked from a centre, which is concerning, but it doesn’t constitute a complete examination compromise,” Martolia stated.
The Chairman emphasized that mobile jammers were installed at all examination centers, expressing surprise at how the leak still occurred. He has requested detailed police investigation and stated that the commission is conducting its own internal inquiry to identify security loopholes.
Despite student demands for his resignation, Martolia has maintained his position, arguing that the incident was limited in scope and doesn’t warrant cancellation of the entire examination.
Historical Context and Pattern of Exam Irregularities
This latest incident continues a disturbing pattern of examination irregularities in Uttarakhand. The state has witnessed multiple paper leak scandals in recent years, including major incidents in 2021 when several UKSSSC examinations were canceled due to widespread fraud.
The 2022 paper leak scandal involving Hakam Singh Rawat had led to significant public outrage and promises of systemic reforms. Despite the enactment of strict anti-cheating legislation in 2023, the current incident demonstrates that the examination mafia remains active in the state.
Students have pointed out that repeat offenders like Hakam Singh continue to operate despite previous arrests, questioning the effectiveness of the government’s anti-corruption measures.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The recurrence of paper leaks highlights a critical failure that undermines the hopes and futures of youth battling for government jobs.
The Logical Indian strongly advocates for systemic reforms, enhanced security measures, and swift, transparent investigations to ensure that meritocracy prevails. Protecting the integrity of recruitment processes is vital for public trust and social equity.
