Rajasthan High Court Upholds Cancellation of 2021 Sub-Inspector Exam Over Systemic Paper Leak

The RPSC advertised 859 posts in February 2021, and 3,83,728 candidates sat the written examination held over three days in September 2021 (paras 6-7). After a physical test and interviews, 3,064 candidates qualified in June 2023 and appointments followed (para 9). After two RPSC members were arrested in 2024, the Advocate General and the SOG recommended cancellation, but in June 2025 a Committee of Ministers found cancellation premature (paras 12-13, 17-18). On 28.08.2025 a Single Judge cancelled the whole process and directed a fresh examination with consideration of age relaxation (paras 2, 18). The State, selected candidates and RPSC members appealed (paras 1, 5, 72-73).

The Bench rejected the preliminary objections. Not disclosing an earlier petition withdrawn in 2022 was not material suppression (paras 85-86). The SOG report of 13.08.2024 could be considered even if irregularly obtained, since relevance decides admissibility (paras 87-89). Expert and committee reports assist but do not bind the Court (paras 90-93). Applying the Vanshika Yadav tests, it found that papers were leaked by organised gangs and circulated on social media, that RPSC members were actively involved, and that there was no internet shutdown, biometrics, jammers or effective videography (paras 94-100, 108). With 138 arrests, including 51 trainee Sub-Inspectors, and investigation still pending, meaningful segregation was not feasible (paras 104-105, 108). Relying on Baishakhi Bhattacharya and Tanvi Sarwal, it held that cancelling a systemically compromised examination is warranted (paras 102, 106-107). Passing later stages could not cure a tainted written examination (paras 109-110). The Bench also observed that the Chairman's role "apparently seems to be dubious" (para 111).