FIR against 12 toppers of MP Excise Constable exam:Solved 100 questions in 30 minutes in Ratlam, then sat idle; CCTV exposes case

Serious irregularities have come to light in the Excise Constable Recruitment Examination 2024 held in Madhya Pradesh. The exam was organised by the Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board. The Board has now filed an FIR against 12 candidates in this case. All 12 candidates had appeared for the exam at Ratlam Public School in Ratlam. This school was made an examination centre for this recruitment test for the first time. During the investigation, officials found unusual patterns in the computer-based test. The exam duration was two hours. However, some candidates solved 100 questions in just 15 minutes, while others completed the same number in 30 minutes. After that, they remained seated without doing any activity for the rest of the exam time. The Board said this unusual speed raised suspicion, which led to further inquiry and legal action. Irregularities revealed in the data analysis of toppers Before releasing the results on February 5, the Board investigated the data of candidates who obtained high percentiles. The investigation found that all these 12 candidates had previously appeared in police recruitment and other examinations, but their scores were less than 50 then. However, in this examination, they suddenly scored more than 90 marks and achieved 100 percentile. Examination in different shifts at the same centre Investigation of CCTV footage and exam log data also revealed that these candidates received help from one person at the examination center. Notably, all these candidates appeared for the examination on different dates and shifts, but their examination center was the same, and the helper is also said to be the same person. Candidates remained seated without any movement The investigation also found that these candidates neither did rough work nor showed normal activity on the computer screen during the examination. Most of the time, they remained seated without any movement and only selected answer options within the stipulated time. According to the board, this clearly indicates pre-planned cheating or external assistance. This raises the suspicion of an organized gang in the entire matter. Who did what in the exam The exam was held on February 5 ESB had conducted this examination between September 9 and September 21, 2025, in 11 cities, including Bhopal, Indore, and Ratlam. Admit cards were issued to 2,40,010 candidates for recruitment, out of which 1,10,032 candidates appeared for the examination. The result of the examination was declared on February 5. Action on system analyst’s complaint Principal System Analyst Praneet Sijaria provided information about the entire matter by submitting an application. He stated that unusual results came to light during the analysis of the examination process. Subsequently, a technical investigation confirmed irregularities. Case registered in Bhopal, diary sent to Ratlam In this regard, a case of forgery was registered at MP Nagar Police Station under zero FIR. Due to the incident site being Ratlam, the case diary has been transferred there. Police have named 12 candidates and other suspects as accused.