NEW DELHI — The Staff Selection Commission (SSC), one of India’s largest recruitment bodies, has issued a public warning after detecting multiple attempts of remote hacking during the ongoing Combined Graduate Level Examination (CGL) 2025. The announcement underscores the growing technological challenges in safeguarding one of the country’s most competitive recruitment processes, which attracts millions of candidates each year.
According to an official notice released on Tuesday, the Commission’s digital surveillance systems flagged suspicious activity at select test centres. These included attempts at remotely taking over candidates’ terminals during the computer-based examination. While the candidates in question were allowed to continue writing their papers so as not to disturb other examinees, officials clarified that all evidence was being logged electronically for later investigation.
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Digital Monitoring at Exam Centres
The CGL examination, which began on September 12 and is scheduled to continue until September 26, is being conducted across hundreds of centres nationwide. To ensure fairness, SSC has integrated advanced real-time monitoring software into its digital infrastructure. This system tracks keystrokes, log-ins, and unusual patterns in data usage that may indicate attempts at unauthorized access.
Officials said that rather than halting the exam midway, a strategy was adopted to minimize disruption. Invigilators were instructed not to intervene directly but to allow the monitoring systems to silently capture evidence. “The scores of such candidates will not be processed, and action will be taken to debar them,” the Commission stated.
Consequences for Candidates and Centres
The SSC emphasized that each participant leaves a distinct digital footprint, which will allow investigators to identify individuals linked to malpractice. Alongside cancellation of scores and permanent debarment, candidates may face legal consequences if criminal intent is established. The Commission also warned that exam centres found complicit in facilitating remote access would face legal action, including potential criminal proceedings.
The CGL exam, widely regarded as a gateway to coveted government jobs in ministries and departments, has historically been plagued by allegations of paper leaks and cheating. In recent years, the shift to computer-based testing was meant to reduce human interference. However, the latest revelations highlight how technological sophistication has also expanded the scope of malpractice.
“The SSC is fully committed to conducting free and fair examinations,” the advisory read, stressing that strict action against offenders was essential to preserve the credibility of the recruitment process.
