Candidates allege paper leak in MPPSC SET exam:Say, ‘received pre-solved question papers’; heavy police deployed to maintain order

A major irregularity has surfaced during the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) State Eligibility Test (SET) 2025 at a Bhopal examination centre. Around 150 candidates at Kamla Nehru Higher Secondary School alleged they were given pre-solved question papers, triggering protests and chaos at the centre. Candidates claimed several question papers already had answers marked, rough work done, and even names and roll numbers written in advance. Police were deployed at the centre after protests intensified. Candidates say question papers had answers already marked After the exam, candidates alleged that many question papers contained tick marks against answers and showed signs of prior use. Some papers reportedly had rough work completed and were assigned to different candidates, with mismatched names and roll numbers. Komal, a candidate from Patna, said she received a question paper bearing a different candidate’s name and roll number. “The question paper I received had someone else’s name—Chudamani—and a different roll number. Many papers already had around 40 out of 50 answers marked. This is not negligence but a serious irregularity,” she said. She added that she secretly kept the paper as evidence. After the exam, candidates were allegedly made to leave through the back gate to avoid interaction with the media. Exam delayed by over an hour amid mismanagement The exam was scheduled from 12 noon to 3pm, but candidates reported major mismanagement at the centre. Due to improper distribution of papers and confusion, the exam started nearly one and a half hours late for many students. Several candidates said they received question papers 45 minutes late, while others were given papers that were already opened. Suresh Kumar, a candidate from Raisen district, said he was handed an opened question paper well after the exam had begun. “When I complained to the invigilators, they told me to sit quietly. No action was taken,” he said. He also alleged that some candidates were shifted between rooms after papers had already been distributed and opened. Police allegedly seized papers, warned protesting candidates Candidates claimed police officers present at the centre confiscated question papers from some students during the incident. Sachin Chauhan, a candidate from Bhopal, said he was given a torn question paper and received no explanation despite raising objections. “When we protested and asked questions, police told us that if we spoke too much, we could be taken into custody,” he alleged. Candidates said the incident created panic and severely affected their mental state during the exam. Candidates demand investigation, cancellation of exam Following the incident, candidates staged protests outside the examination centre and demanded an impartial investigation. They alleged a possible paper leak and called on MPPSC to cancel and reschedule the exam, and take strict action against those responsible. So far, no official confirmation of a paper leak has been issued, but authorities are expected to investigate the allegations. Over 1.46 lakh candidates appeared at 12 districts across Madhya Pradesh The MPPSC SET 2025 exam was conducted across 12 districts, including Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Ujjain, Shahdol, Ratlam, Satna, Sagar, Rewa, Narmadapuram and Khargone. A total of 1,46,405 candidates appeared in the exam, including 20,429 candidates across 52 centres in Bhopal alone. The exam was conducted offline across 31 subjects under strict guidelines. Purpose of SET exam in Madhya Pradesh The State Eligibility Test (SET), conducted by MPPSC, determines eligibility for appointment as Assistant Professors in state universities and colleges. Candidates who pass the exam receive an eligibility certificate, allowing them to apply for teaching positions in higher education institutions across Madhya Pradesh. The exam ensures subject expertise and maintains teaching standards in colleges across the state.