The Bihar government has canceled the community health officer recruitment exam following the discovery of widespread malpractices and irregularities during the online test, conducted on December 1, 2024.
The cancellation was announced after the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar police uncovered a cheating network operating at three examination centers in Patna. The Bihar State Health Society, responsible for conducting the test, confirmed that new exam dates will be announced soon.
Malpractices Uncovered
The online recruitment exam, held at 12 centers in Patna, was intended to continue on December 2. However, an investigation by the EOU and Patna police revealed serious violations:
- Employees at examination centers were found giving unauthorized access to a solver gang using proxy servers and remote viewing applications.
- The solver gang solved questions in real-time during the Computer-Based Test (CBT).
Arrests and Seizures
Authorities have arrested 37 individuals, including exam aspirants, center owners, IT managers, and employees involved in the malpractice. Several items, including:
- Laptops, mobile phones, and digital devices
- Aadhaar cards, ATM cards, and credit cards
were seized during the joint raids at the centers.
Key Findings
The investigation revealed that the owners of the centers and IT managers were actively colluding with the solver gang. A Pune-based IT firm, tasked with conducting the test, is also under scrutiny for its role in the irregularities.
Next Steps
The examination has been canceled, and a special investigation team has been formed to:
- Probe further into the cheating racket.
- Identify and arrest other members of the solver gang.
The Bihar government has assured that strict measures will be taken to ensure transparency in future examinations.
Conclusion
The cancellation of the community health officer recruitment exam highlights the pressing need for enhanced security measures in online recruitment tests. As investigations continue, authorities are working to rebuild trust in the examination process.
