Case file · PB-REC · surfaced 16 Oct 2016
Punjab 2015-16: one printing-press module leaked a dozen exams
Confidence C — based on the press record (archived below). No primary documents on file yet; treat names of agencies, dates and figures as reported, not established.
Punjab Vigilance Bureau investigations from 2015–17 unearthed a module that leaked question papers printed at a Delhi government press for a dozen recruitment exams across Punjab and neighbouring states — JBT/TGT/NTT teachers, junior engineers, patwaris and corporation engineers among them — with about 70 arrests including candidates and conduits. The patwari exam was scrapped on leak evidence. The alleged head of the module, a Lucknow resident, and a government press employee were arrested in May 2017.
- Examination
- Teacher/JE/Patwari recruitment exams 2015-16
- Conducting body
- Punjab State Recruitment Bodies (multiple) (PB-REC)
- Exam date
- —
- Leak date (as documented)
- —
- Surfaced
- 16 Oct 2016
- States
- Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar
- Candidates affected
- not established
- Leak vector
- Printing press
- State govt at the time
- SAD–BJP
- Last reviewed
- 11 Jun 2026
Stall clock — no docket movement for
3,312
days (9y 27d) · last movement 2017-05-17
Accountability Gap Index
national average 0.97 / 7 · how this is scored →
1 / 7
- ✓ FIR within 30 days
- ✗ Charge sheet within 180 days
- ✗ Any conviction
- ✗ Exam cancelled & fully re-held
- ✗ Fee refund documented
- ✗ Official permanently removed
- ✗ Reform gazette-notified
Each milestone scores one point only when the register holds a document for it. The gap is what the missing points describe.
How it surfaced
Who found it
Police investigation
Probes into the 2015–16 recruitment cycle found papers for multiple exams had been sold through a network around the conducting chain.
The conducting body's first response
Said nothing
No consolidated public accounting by the recruiting bodies; individual exams were quietly re-notified.
The docket
Every legal action on record, in order. Each row cites its document.
-
16 Oct 2016
FIR registered · Punjab Vigilance Bureau
Module busted that leaked the irrigation SDE paper; linked exams identified.
per: Trusted, tested. Failed — Punjab recruitment exam leaks (The Tribune, 23 Oct 2016)
-
20 Oct 2016
Arrest · Punjab Vigilance Bureau
About 70 arrests incl. ~60 candidates and conduits from Bihar, Haryana and UP.
per: Trusted, tested. Failed — Punjab recruitment exam leaks (The Tribune, 23 Oct 2016)
-
21 Oct 2016
Exam cancelled · Government of Punjab
Patwari recruitment exam scrapped on leak evidence.
per: Trusted, tested. Failed — Punjab recruitment exam leaks (The Tribune, 23 Oct 2016)
-
17 May 2017
Arrest · Punjab Vigilance Bureau, Mohali
Alleged head of the module and a Delhi government-press employee arrested.
per: 2015 paper leak scam organiser in vigilance bureau of Punjab net (The Times of India, 18 May 2017)
What candidates got
| Outcome | Ordered by | Order date | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam cancelled (full) | Government of Punjab | 21 Oct 2016 | Patwari exam scrapped; re-conduct followed. |
Sources on file
- Tier 2 · reported Trusted, tested. Failed — Punjab recruitment exam leaks — The Tribune · 23 Oct 2016 [archived]
- Tier 2 · reported 2015 paper leak scam organiser in vigilance bureau of Punjab net — The Times of India · 18 May 2017 [archived]
Status log
Every status this register has ever assigned to this case. Append-only.
| 16 Oct 2016 | ALLEGED | Allegations surfaced publicly. |
| 16 Oct 2016 | ALLEGED → FIR_REGISTERED | Module busted that leaked the irrigation SDE paper; linked exams identified. |
| 20 Oct 2016 | FIR_REGISTERED → ARRESTS_MADE | About 70 arrests incl. ~60 candidates and conduits from Bihar, Haryana and UP. |
Act on this record
File an RTI on this case pre-filled from the docket · RTI Act 2005 · ₹10 fee
The application below is pre-filled from this case file. Add your name and address, then send it to the Public Information Officer of Punjab Vigilance Bureau — online via rtionline.gov.in (central bodies) or your state RTI portal.
To: The Public Information Officer, Punjab Vigilance Bureau Subject: Request under the Right to Information Act, 2005 — Punjab 2015-16: one printing-press module leaked a dozen exams Under the Right to Information Act 2005, I request the following information: 1. Current status of FIR No. [number] dated 16 Oct 2016 concerning the question paper leak in Teacher/JE/Patwari recruitment exams 2015-16. 2. Whether a charge sheet has been filed in this matter; if yes, its date and the court where it was filed. 3. Names and current postings of all officials suspended in connection with this matter. 4. Whether any suspended official has been reinstated; if yes, the order reference and date. 5. Date and outcome of the last court hearing in this matter. I am enclosing the application fee of Rs. 10 as required. If this application falls outside your office's purview, kindly transfer it under Section 6(3) of the Act and inform me. Regards, [Applicant name] [Address] [Date]
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