The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission's (APPSC) 2018 Group-1 recruitment exam, which attracted over 114,000 applicants for 169 posts, has come under scrutiny after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) uncovered multiple irregularities in the evaluation process. The SIT, formed in February 2026 following a High Court directive, found issues ranging from unauthorized evaluators to suspicious manual re-evaluations conducted outside official premises.
This probe highlights concerns about the integrity of one of the state's premier civil service examinations, raising questions about the fairness and transparency of the recruitment process.
How the APPSC Group-1 Exam Evaluation Was Conducted
The APPSC Group-1 exam is a competitive recruitment process for various civil service positions in Andhra Pradesh. The 2018 recruitment involved a mains examination followed by evaluation of answer scripts to select candidates. Traditionally, evaluations were manual, but in 2021, APPSC introduced a digital evaluation system aimed at streamlining the process.
The evaluation process included multiple stages: an initial digital evaluation, a manual re-evaluation ordered by the High Court, and a second manual evaluation conducted in 2022 under a new APPSC administration.
Key Findings from the SIT Investigation
- The digital evaluation in 2021 was marred by unauthorized evaluators. Out of a secretary-approved panel of 158 evaluators, only 72 participated, while 25 unapproved individuals also evaluated scripts and received payment.
- The approved panel mainly consisted of private school and college teachers rather than university-level subject experts as required by APPSC guidelines.
- Digital evaluation coordination involved unofficial private email accounts and Google Drive links, raising data security concerns.
- There were discrepancies between marks entered by evaluators and the final digital results, with some second-evaluation marks entered without independent examiners.
- Following court orders, manual re-evaluation was conducted at a private resort, not an official government facility, where evaluators reportedly re-entered digital marks rather than conducting fresh assessments.
- Answer scripts were held by a private agency for 84 days, and the then APPSC secretary was implicated in irregularities related to the manual evaluation.
- A second manual evaluation in Vijayawada in 2022 showed signs of tampering, including 95% alterations, different inks, and handwriting inconsistencies.
- CCTV coverage at key locations was inadequate or delayed, with the strong room only coming under surveillance 17 days after manual evaluation began.
- Mobile phone use by evaluators during manual assessments and a spike in scripts requiring a third evaluation raised further doubts about the process.
- The rate of scripts needing a third evaluation jumped from 0.45% in previous recruitments to 10.2% in 2018, suggesting widespread inconsistencies.
- Criminal cases have been filed, and arrests made, including that of a media director involved in the evaluation process. The investigation has examined extensive forensic evidence, financial records, communications, and video footage.
Why These Findings Matter for Andhra Pradesh Recruitment
The SIT's revelations cast a shadow over the credibility of the APPSC Group-1 recruitment, a vital gateway for government jobs in Andhra Pradesh. The use of unauthorized evaluators and questionable manual re-evaluations undermine public trust in the fairness of the selection process.
Such irregularities can have far-reaching consequences, including the potential selection of unqualified candidates or the unfair exclusion of deserving ones. The lack of proper surveillance and adherence to official procedures points to systemic weaknesses in exam administration that need urgent reform.
For candidates, these findings highlight the importance of transparency and accountability in competitive exams. For the government, the probe underscores the need to strengthen oversight mechanisms and ensure that recruitment processes are beyond reproach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What triggered the investigation into the APPSC Group-1 2018 exam?
A: Allegations of tampering and irregularities in the evaluation process prompted the High Court to direct a scientific probe, leading to the formation of the SIT in 2026.
Q: How was the evaluation process flawed according to the SIT?
A: The SIT found unauthorized evaluators, use of private email accounts, discrepancies in marks, manual re-evaluations conducted at a private resort, inadequate CCTV coverage, and suspicious alterations in answer scripts.
Q: What actions have been taken following the SIT report?
A: Criminal cases have been filed under various IPC sections, arrests have been made, and investigations continue with examination of forensic and electronic evidence to hold responsible parties accountable.
