Recruitment exam candidates accuse the Uttar Pradesh government of stifling transparency efforts

Students take part in a candlelight march and stage a demonstration over alleged exam paper leaks and examination irregularities in the Neet UG-2026 examination and Lekhpal recruitment process in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Friday, May 29, 2026. | Photo credit: PTI

Candidates appearing for various recruitment examinations in Prayagraj on Sunday (May 31, 2026) accused the state authorities of trying to suppress the transparency movement. The students’ collective Sanyukt Pratiyogi Chhatra Hunkar Manch has alleged rampant irregularities in recruitment exams and threatened to stage a protest in Lucknow on June 12 if their grievances are not addressed by the Uttar Pradesh government.

“Local authorities have closed down three coaching centers for alleged violation of building safety norms, simply because they believe these centers support our movement. The aim is to suppress our fight for transparency,” said Pankaj Pandey, convener of Sanyukt Pratiyogi Chhatra Hunkar Manch.

“We have raised concerns about irregularities, document leaks, mismanagement at exam centers and lack of transparency in recruitment processes in various state competitive exams, including Lekhpal and UP sub-inspector. Through the Hunkar Manch, we have demanded that all allegations be investigated. A high-level independent inquiry into alleged irregularities at Lekhpal exam centers is a must, especially as we demand that they found three videos in Lekhpal mains exam. lekhpal mains exam was held again and they also demanded early release of UP exam result sheet (SI) Government has been unsuccessful in conducting many recruitment and aptitude tests so we want recruitment exam calendar to be fully followed,” Mr. Pandey added.

Security personnel walk in front of protesters during a protest over alleged exam paper leaks and irregularities in the Neet UG-2026 examination and Lekhpal recruitment process in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Friday, May 29, 2026. | Photo credit: PTI

Endless protests

The Hunkar Manch has threatened unlimited protests and demanded the introduction of a technical monitoring system to ensure that all future competitive exams are completely transparent and secure. They also sought to establish a permanent dialogue and grievance redressal mechanism at the government level to address the problems of students.

On 29 May, hundreds of young aspirants preparing for the entrance examinations gathered in the streets of Prayagraj to protest against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, paper leaks and rising unemployment under the banner of Samyukt Pratiyogi Chhatra Hunkar Manch. Holding candles, the protesters organized the Hunkar program and marched peacefully from Manmohan Park crossing in Katra to Chandrashekhar Azad Park, chanting slogans targeting the government and recruitment agencies.

The Congress party accused the government of failing the youth of the state by not providing job opportunities. “There can be nothing more shameful for any state than the young population being forced to take to the streets to demand transparency in exams. There are serious allegations of malpractice in recruitment exams. Candidates are wasting their prime years waiting for papers. Low and middle income youth are seeing government jobs as the best option for upward social mobility. This is a structural failure of the BJP Congress leader’s government,” said senior Anil Pradesh.

Published – 31 May 2026 22:46 IST