Blacklisted Gujarat-based exam conducting firm still favored by BJP Govts: Report
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The Gujarat-based exam-conducting company Edutest Solutions Private Limited, which is at the centre of controversy regarding question paper leaks and recruitment scams in multiple states, has been blacklisted by the Uttar Pradesh government but is still in contracts with the BJP governments in several states, The Wire reported.
The Uttar Pradesh government recently blacklisted the company following a paper leak during the UP police constable recruitment exam, where over 43 lakh candidates were affected.
Founded and directed by Sureshchandra Arya, who also serves as the president of Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, Edutest Solutions has a troubling history marred by accusations of misconduct and irregularities.
Despite being blacklisted by several state governments and facing serious legal scrutiny, including the imprisonment of its managing director Vineet Arya in 2017, the company continues to secure contracts for conducting critical exams.
The scandal surrounding Edutest Solutions extends beyond Uttar Pradesh. In Bihar, the company faced another ban for its negligence in conducting examinations, including the Secondary Teacher Eligibility Test and D.El.Ed. Joint Entrance Examination.
Despite these bans, the company managed to secure contracts, even from prestigious institutions like the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), under the Ministry of Science and Technology, to conduct recruitment exams.
One of the most egregious instances cited was the 2017 Bihar Staff Selection Commission exam paper leak, which resulted in arrests but did not deter Edutest from rebranding itself and continuing operations. The company, previously known as Confisec Private Limited, changed its name amid mounting controversies, yet allegations of irregularities persisted.
Recent incidents in Uttarakhand and Rajasthan further underscore the seriousness of the allegations against Edutest Solutions. Reports of exam rigging and arrests of individuals involved in aiding cheating during CSIR-administered exams have added fuel to the already raging controversy. Despite these allegations, CSIR denied any wrongdoing, leading to further scrutiny and legal challenges from affected candidates.
The question arises: why has Edutest Solutions continued to be favoured by various governments and institutions despite its tainted track record? The answer seems to lie in the company's deep-rooted connections, both religious and political. With its founder-director holding prominent positions in Hindu organizations and enjoying close ties with influential political figures, Edutest Solutions has navigated legal challenges and public outcry to maintain its operations.
Despite these bans and controversies, Edutest managed to secure contracts from prestigious institutions like the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the Ministry of Science and Technology. This included an Rs 80,004,000 contract for conducting recruitment exams for Section Officers and Assistant Section Officers, despite subsequent allegations of rigging during the exam process itself.
The CSIR recruitment exam, held between February 5 and 20, 2024, was marred by accusations of large-scale cheating, leading to police raids and subsequent arrests in Uttarakhand and Rajasthan.
Despite CSIR's denial of any wrongdoing and the institution's assertion that implicated candidates were barred from further participation, discrepancies emerged when a candidate named Sheven Dabas, mentioned in police statements, was surprisingly included in the exam's result announcement.
Legal battles ensued, with Edutest challenging its blacklisting by the Bihar School Examination Board in the Patna High Court. The court, on technical grounds, quashed the board's decision, further complicating the regulatory oversight and accountability surrounding Edutest's operations.