The Supreme Court on Thursday sought responses from the Centre and the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) on a plea demanding reforms in the conduct of national-level recruitment examinations.
A Bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Atul S. Chandurkar issued notice on the petition filed by Nikhil Kumar and listed the matter for hearing on October 28. The petition seeks measures to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the examination process conducted by the SSC.
The plea pointed out that the SSC, responsible for conducting recruitment examinations for multiple gazetted and non-gazetted posts across Union ministries, had for years engaged Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to manage the process. These examinations, the petitioner submitted, were largely free from controversy.
However, the shift to a new service provider, Eduquity, for the Selection Post/Phase XIII Examination, 2025, triggered concerns. According to the plea, the first phase of the exam was marred by serious irregularities, including inadequate infrastructure and malfunctioning systems. Despite representations to the ministry, similar disruptions occurred in the second phase as well.
With the third phase of the exam scheduled in September, candidates approached the apex court apprehending a repeat of past negligence. The petitioner has urged the Court to direct corrective measures, arguing that repeated technical glitches undermine the integrity of the recruitment process and jeopardise the future of lakhs of aspirants.
