An alleged fraud has surfaced in the 2024 Excise Constable Recruitment Examination conducted in Madhya Pradesh. The Madhya Pradesh Employee Selection Board (ESB) flagged the performance of 12 candidates as suspicious during a pre-result data audit. A cheating case has been registered against all of them after internal findings pointed to possible manipulation at the Ratlam examination centre.
Performance Disparity Triggers Probe
According to the ESB’s internal assessment, the 12 candidates had secured exceptionally high scores in the excise recruitment test, despite several of them recording comparatively low marks in the earlier recruitment examination conducted by Madhya Pradesh Police. The sharp contrast in performance triggered a deeper technical review by the board.
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Ratlam Centre Irregularities Found
Following a complaint filed by ESB’s principal system analyst, a case was initially registered in Bhopal and later transferred to Ratlam district authorities, as the alleged irregularities took place at the examination centre there.
Of the 12 accused candidates, nine belong to the Bhind and Morena districts of the Gwalior-Chambal region. Two are residents of Haryana, while one is from Agra in Uttar Pradesh. Investigators are preparing to question the candidates and are examining technical evidence linked to the examination process.
CCTV Shows Monitor Replacement
The probe report states that CCTV footage from computer labs at the Ratlam centre, where exams were conducted between September 9 and September 15, 2025, was reviewed in detail. The footage indicated that computer monitors assigned to the 12 candidates were replaced minutes before they entered their respective labs. Officials noted that such replacement was not part of standard operating procedure, deepening suspicion of coordinated interference.
Rapid Scrolling Pattern Detected
Time-based performance analytics revealed another unusual pattern. Several of the candidates rapidly scrolled through the entire question paper within the first 10 to 15 minutes of the exam without attempting answers. This was followed by an extended period of inactivity. In the final segment of the test, however, the same candidates showed a sudden and extraordinary surge in correct responses. The board’s automated system flagged this anomaly as a “High Strike Rate.”
External Aid Suspected
The examination had a two-hour duration, yet some candidates reportedly solved all 100 questions within 15 to 20 minutes and then remained seated without further activity. Investigators believe this pattern may point toward screen manipulation, external answer relay, or insider facilitation.
Common Hand Investigation
Sources indicate that agencies are probing whether a “common hand” assisted all 12 candidates. The role of technical staff, supervisors, and any other personnel linked to the centre could also come under scrutiny as the investigation progresses.
The ESB has withheld the results of the suspected candidates pending completion of the inquiry. The board has reiterated its commitment to maintaining transparency and integrity in the recruitment process.
Exam System Vulnerabilities Highlighted
The case has once again raised concerns over the credibility of competitive recruitment examinations. Experts suggest that digital testing systems require stronger data analytics frameworks and real-time monitoring tools to detect irregular patterns promptly. For now, investigators in Ratlam are advancing the probe on the basis of CCTV evidence and technical audit findings.
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.
