Supreme Court: It's best to cancel SSC 2017 graduate-level exams
On Monday, the Supreme Court observed that it was best to cancel the Staff Selection Commission's (SSC) 2017 graduate-level examination as it was too difficult to ascertain how many candidates had benefited from SSC exam scam. Although the apex court has not passed an order quashing the exam, it has asked the Central government for a response. Here are the details.
Earlier, the SC had stayed the declaration of SSC results
Earlier, in August, the Supreme Court had stayed the declaration of results of the SSC's combined graduate-level exam 2017, and the combined senior secondary level exams 2017, in light of the SSC exam scam case. Calling the entire SSC exam system contaminated, the SC had then declared that beneficiaries of the SSC exam scam shouldn't be allowed to join service.
Allegations of cheating had resulted in a massive uproar
The Supreme Court's stay order came on the back of a massive uproar surrounding the SSC exam held in February. Following allegations of mass cheating and paper leaks, thousands of students took the streets to protest against the unfair selection process. In March, the Centre ordered a CBI probe into the issue, and the Supreme Court also agreed to hear the case.
Some of the perpetrators in the scam have been arrested
Following the uproar, authorities swung into action, and by May, had rounded up 11 members of a hi-tech SSC cheating gang who allegedly helped several candidates cheat during the exams. The gang, headed by government clerk Harpal Singh Chikara, would access candidates' computers remotely, and would solve their SSC papers for them during the exams in exchange for a considerable sum of money.
