Lucknow, 8/1 : In a major crackdown on recruitment malpractices, the Uttar Pradesh government has cancelled the Assistant Professor recruitment examination held last year, following a damning report by the Special Task Force (STF) that confirmed a paper leak and widespread irregularities. The decision, directed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, comes as a significant blow to the 1.14 lakh candidates who appeared for the test in April 2025, but underscores the administration’s “zero tolerance” policy towards corruption in public examinations.
The examination, conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC) to fill 1,017 vacancies in government-aided degree colleges (Advertisement No. 51), has been mired in controversy since its conduct on April 16 and 17, 2025.
**Insider Involvement Exposed**
The cancellation follows a confidential inquiry ordered by the Chief Minister after intelligence inputs suggested the sanctity of the exam had been compromised. The STF’s investigation unearthed a deep-rooted nexus involving commission insiders. The probe revealed that Mehboob Ali, the confidential assistant to the then-chairperson of the commission, played a pivotal role in the leak.
According to the STF, Ali confessed to accessing question papers for various subjects during the moderation process and leaking them to a syndicate in exchange for substantial bribes. This breach of trust led to the arrest of Ali and two accomplices, Baijnath Pal and Vinay Pal, on April 20, 2025. An FIR was subsequently registered at the Vibhuti Khand police station in Lucknow under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
**Strict Action and Fresh Dates**
“The government is committed to ensuring that all recruitment processes are free, fair, and transparent. No injustice will be done to deserving candidates,” a government spokesperson stated. In light of the findings, the then-chairperson of the commission, Prof. Kirti Pandey, was asked to resign to ensure an impartial probe.
The Chief Minister has directed the UPESSC to announce fresh dates for the examination at the earliest. The commission has been instructed to overhaul its security protocols to prevent a recurrence of such lapses. Candidates are advised to keep a close watch on the official website for the new schedule.
**Impact on Aspirants**
While the cancellation is a move towards rectifying a compromised process, it prolongs the wait for thousands of aspirants who have been preparing for these coveted academic positions. The recruitment drive, initially intended to address the faculty crunch in state colleges, will now restart, likely pushing the appointment process later into 2026.
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