The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) plays a crucial role in selecting candidates for India’s prestigious civil services. However, recent revelations in ‘The UPSC Files: A Saga of Forgery’ expose several cases of misuse of reservation benefits through forged certificates. Such fraudulent activities not only undermine the principles of meritocracy but also raise serious questions about the UPSC’s vigilance in ensuring fairness in its selection process.
To seek accountability, I filed a
Right to Information (RTI) application under Section 6 of the RTI Act, 2005, on
February 2, 2025, requesting the status of my complaint regarding the alleged
misuse of reservation benefits by selected candidates. The response received
from the UPSC raises serious concerns about the Commission’s handling of such
complaints and its adherence to RTI norms.
Summary of “The UPSC Files: A
Saga of Forgery”
The document highlights cases of
forgery and misuse of reservation certificates (EWS, OBC-NCL, SC/ST, and PwBD)
in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. It details how fraudulent candidates
have exploited loopholes in the system, gaining undue advantages and depriving
genuinely deserving aspirants of their rightful opportunities.
Key points
1. Cases of Forged/Misused
Reservation Certificates
- Lists 22 instances where candidates allegedly misrepresented their
eligibility to claim reservation benefits.
- Includes cases of false disability claims and affluent candidates misusing the EWS quota.
2. Impacts of Such
Malpractices
- Violates constitutional principles, burdens government resources, and
erodes public trust.
- Calls into question UPSC’s impartiality and effectiveness in verifying
candidate credentials.
- Demoralizes hardworking candidates and distorts the level playing
field.
- Causes economic and psychological distress to deserving candidates while fueling societal resentment.
3. Suggestions & Reforms
- Stricter verification of reservation claims before and after
selection.
- Creation of an independent regulatory authority for fair exam conduct.
- Revision of EWS criteria to prevent misuse by affluent candidates.
- Strict penalties for fraudulent claims.
RTI Inquiry and UPSC’s
Response
RTI Filed Under Section 6 of
the RTI Act
On February 2, 2025, I filed an RTI application seeking an update on my complaint filed on August 16, 2024, regarding forged reservation certificates in UPSC selections. Given the seriousness of the allegations, I expected a prompt and transparent response.
UPSC’s Delayed &
Deflective Reply
On March 3, 2025, I received the
following response from the UPSC:
- The UPSC stated that its role
is limited to conducting examinations and recommending candidates as per
government rules.
- It claimed that verification of
candidates’ credentials falls under the purview of the Department of Personnel
and Training (DoP&T) and other concerned authorities.
- The UPSC further redirected my RTI application to the DoP&T for further response but was silent on the date of forwarding the application.
Why This Response is
Problematic?
1. Violation of RTI Act
Principles:
- The UPSC cannot shy away from its responsibility to ensure the
integrity of its selection process.
- If the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of the UPSC intended
to transfer my RTI request to another authority, it should have been done
within the first five days, as per Section 6(3) of the RTI Act.
- The UPSC's response fails to mention the exact date of forwarding my
application to DoP&T, raising doubts about its efficiency and transparency.
- I am yet to receive any response from DoP&T.
2. Lack of Accountability:
- The UPSC is duty-bound to ensure that only deserving candidates are
recommended for public service.
- Passing the responsibility to DoP&T without tracking the progress of the complaint shows an unwillingness to take responsibility.
Demanding Policy Reforms
- The UPSC must take a more
proactive role in verifying the authenticity of reservation claims.
- RTI requests concerning
corruption and malpractice should be given priority.
- The government must enforce stricter verification mechanisms before allocating reservations.
Public Awareness &
Advocacy
- Raising awareness through
social media and mainstream media about such malpractices.
- Encouraging other aspirants and
stakeholders to demand accountability from UPSC and DoP&T.
- Seeking intervention from judicial and parliamentary bodies to expedite action against fraudulent selections.
The UPSC’s reluctance to take responsibility for verifying reservation claims and ensuring fair selection processes raises critical concerns. The RTI response I received not only fails to address the core issue but also violates the transparency principles laid down under the RTI Act.
To protect the integrity of
India’s civil services and ensure justice for deserving candidates, immediate
reforms are needed. The government, UPSC, and DoP&T must act decisively to
eliminate the misuse of reservation benefits and uphold the credibility of the
selection process.
As concerned citizens, it is our
duty to hold institutions accountable and demand a fair and transparent system
that truly serves the nation’s best interests.
