Patna: The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has cancelled the Assistant Education Development Officer (AEDO) examination after serious allegations of cheating and organised malpractice emerged from several districts across the state. The Commission has also blacklisted the company responsible for conducting the examination, M/s Sai Educare Pvt. Ltd., and forfeited its bank guarantee after finding its response to the allegations unsatisfactory. Officials said the agency violated Commission rules by deploying its own personnel at examination centres instead of using the officially approved list. The controversial examination was held between 14 April and 21 April in multiple phases across Bihar.
The AEDO recruitment drive had generated huge interest because it marked the first time such posts were being filled under Bihar’s Education Department. Around 1.1 million candidates had applied for just 935 vacancies. To manage the large number of applicants, the BPSC organised the examination in three phases and set up 746 centres across all 38 districts of the state. However, reports of cheating and suspicious activity began surfacing soon after the examination started. Authorities later confirmed that irregularities were reported from districts including Munger, Nalanda and Samastipur. Following complaints, investigations and several FIRs, the Commission decided to cancel all nine shifts of the examination.
The investigation revealed that a large cheating network had allegedly been operating during the examination. According to police and investigation agencies, some candidates and anti-social elements worked together to arrange unfair means inside examination centres. Officials said biometric operators and supervisors were allegedly used to secretly help candidates during the examination. Investigators claimed that question papers were photographed inside centres and answers were later shared through WhatsApp groups. Police also recovered electronic devices, admit cards and handwritten notes during raids conducted in Munger district. Authorities believe the operation was coordinated by a person known only as “Master”, who is still absconding.
One of the biggest developments in the case came just hours before the first phase of the examination began. Acting on a tip-off, the Munger district administration and police carried out a late-night raid and arrested a suspect named Sujal Kumar. During questioning, he allegedly revealed details about WhatsApp groups created to share answers with candidates during the examination. Investigators said some individuals were preparing to enter examination centres by posing as biometric operators and supervisors. Police also claimed that several candidates had paid money in exchange for help during the test. So far, 36 people have been arrested in connection with the case, while eight FIRs have been registered across six districts.
The BPSC has also taken strict action against candidates involved in the scandal. A total of 32 candidates have been banned from appearing in future examinations conducted by the Commission. Officials said no solid evidence had been found proving that the question papers were leaked publicly before the examination. However, the Commission stated that even attempts to compromise the integrity of the examination were unacceptable. Along with the AEDO test, the written examination for the Assistant Public Sanitation and Waste Management Officer recruitment held on 23 April has also been cancelled. The Commission has assured candidates that fresh dates for both examinations will be announced soon on its official website.
