Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has cracked a major scam involving the Staff Selection Commission’s (SSC) Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2025 exam. The gang, led by its ringleader, was allegedly helping physically handicapped candidates cheat in the exam by providing them with fake scribes. Authorities have arrested 11 individuals in Noida in connection with the scam. During the operation, STF recovered over ₹14 lakh in cash, 16 fake disability certificates, 13 mobile phones, and several other documents.
How the Scam Worked
Information received by the STF indicated irregularities at the ‘Adarsh Exam Center’ in Sector-80, Noida, during the online CGL exam. Under exam rules, physically handicapped candidates are allowed to bring a scribe whose educational qualification must be lower than that of the candidate.
The gang, headed by Sagar Pandey of Indore, exploited this rule by placing highly educated individuals as fake scribes using forged disability certificates. These scribes would complete the exam papers on behalf of the candidates. For each candidate, the gang reportedly charged ₹1-2 lakh, and an additional ₹50,000 per fake certificate.
Involvement of Exam Center Staff
During interrogation, Sagar Pandey revealed that he was working in collusion with Rohit Kumar (Center Head) and Narendra Singh (Manager) of Innovative View Private Limited, the company conducting the exam. These employees facilitated the entry of the scribes into the exam hall. Both were arrested by the STF.
Arrests and Legal Action
The STF apprehended the accused at Gaur City, the Adarsh Exam Center, and a hotel in Noida. A case has been registered at Phase-2 Police Station, Noida, under charges of cheating, forgery, and violations of the Public Examination Act, and further legal action is underway.
