Uttarakhand SSSC Paper Leak Case

In early 2025, the Uttarakhand Special Task Force arrested former UKSSSC secretary Manohar Singh Kanyal and several others for orchestrating the leak of an invigilator recruitment exam paper originally held in 2022. The leaked paper was sold to candidates through a network of middlemen, severely compromising the recruitment process. Following public outrage and protests by job aspirants, the state government annulled the tainted examination and ordered a high-level probe. The case exposed systemic corruption within the commission, highlighting how insiders colluded to sell government jobs. Multiple arrests were made, and further investigations were launched to uncover the full scope of the paper leak racket.

As of mid-2026, multiple accused, including former secretary Manohar Singh Kanyal, remain in judicial custody or on bail with ongoing trials. The tainted 2022 invigilator exam has been officially canceled, and a re-examination was ordered. No final convictions have been secured, and the investigation continues to identify other beneficiaries.

The primary dispute revolves around the systemic leak of confidential examination papers by commission officials and agents, the extent of the criminal conspiracy, and whether the entire selection process was irreparably compromised, thereby violating the principles of fair and transparent public recruitment.

The scandal triggered massive protests by unemployed youth across Uttarakhand, severely eroding public trust in the state’s recruitment agencies. It intensified demands for a stringent anti-paper leak law, leading to the passage of stricter legislation in the state. The case also prompted a broader crackdown on examination malpractices nationwide, highlighting the deep nexus between criminals and public service commissions.