A high-tech organised cheating racket in the SSC MTS examination has been unearthed in Dhanbad, with police arresting a centre registration manager and two candidates who were using concealed Bluetooth devices to receive answers in real time. Investigators said a deal of ₹8 lakh per candidate had been struck to ensure passing the exam, pointing to the involvement of an interstate network specialising in recruitment fraud.
The malpractice came to light during the third shift of the examination at the Minerva Digital Examination Centre in Govindpur, when the centre coordinator flagged suspicious behaviour by certain candidates. Govindpur police reached the venue and conducted a search, during which micro Bluetooth earpieces were recovered from Raunak Kumar and Bittu Kumar, both from Lakhisarai district. They were immediately detained for questioning.
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Centre manager’s role surfaces
During interrogation, the candidates alleged that the centre’s registration manager, Shashi Kumar, had supplied the electronic devices and facilitated the cheating arrangement. He was subsequently arrested. Investigators found that external solvers stationed outside the examination centre were receiving question details and dictating correct answers in real time through the Bluetooth devices, indicating a pre-planned and coordinated operation.
Police officials said the manager had demanded ₹8 lakh per candidate to enable the malpractice. An advance payment of ₹2.5 lakh had already been made, with the remaining amount to be paid after the examination.
Use of micro earpieces and technology
The seized earpieces were extremely small and designed to evade detection during frisking. According to investigators, question data was relayed to solvers outside, who transmitted answers back to the candidates via Bluetooth. Authorities are now analysing CCTV footage, call detail records and other digital evidence to identify additional beneficiaries and determine the full extent of the network.
Interstate racket suspected
Police believe the case is not an isolated incident but part of a larger interstate cheating syndicate that operates through multiple modules — recruiting candidates, collecting payments, arranging solvers and securing technical access inside examination centres. Raids are underway to trace other members of the network.
Exam security under scrutiny
The incident has raised concerns over security protocols at computer-based test centres. Officials indicated that stricter metal detection, stronger signal jammers and enhanced biometric verification may be introduced to prevent the use of electronic devices for cheating in future examinations.
Legal action and ongoing probe
All three accused have been booked under relevant sections related to cheating, criminal conspiracy and the use of unfair means in public examinations. Police are also examining financial transactions to trace the money trail and identify other individuals involved.
Authorities said dismantling such rackets is essential to protect the integrity of competitive examinations, as organised cheating undermines merit-based recruitment and erodes public trust in the selection process. The investigation is ongoing, and officials expect further arrests as the network is mapped.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
