Case file · SSC · surfaced 21 Feb 2018

SSC CGL 2017 leak: SC called the system 'tainted'; CBI booked vendor staff

Stalled documented status: Arrests made

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.

During the online CGL 2017 Tier-II exam in February 2018, a screenshot of the live paper circulated, sparking weeks of street protests by aspirants. The CBI registered an FIR against 17 people, including ten employees of the exam-technology vendor — among them the custodian of the question bank — and seven candidates. The Supreme Court stayed the results in August 2018, observing that the entire system seemed compromised, and allowed the re-examination's results in April 2019. Three accused were arrested in June 2019.

Examination: Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2017 — Tier II
Conducting body: Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Exam date: 21 Feb 2018
Leak date (as documented): 21 Feb 2018
Surfaced: 21 Feb 2018
States: Delhi, Pan-India
Candidates affected: ~30.0 lakh
Leak vector: Insider (digital)
State govt at the time: BJP-led NDA (Union)
Last reviewed: 11 Jun 2026

Stall clock — no docket movement for

2,564

days (7y 9d) · last movement 2019-06-04

Accountability Gap Index

national average 0.97 / 7 · how this is scored →

0 / 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

Candidates reported it

Screenshots showing the live exam screen with answers circulated during the online Tier-II paper; aspirants' protests outside SSC headquarters ran for weeks.

The conducting body's first response

Deflected

SSC maintained the exam's sanctity but referred the matter to the CBI under pressure; the Supreme Court stayed the result, with judges remarking in hearings that the examination system itself appeared compromised.

The docket

Every legal action on record, in order. Each row cites its document.

22 May 2018

FIR registered · Central Bureau of Investigation

FIR against 17 incl. 10 vendor employees and 7 candidates; searches at 12 locations.

per: CBI books 17 including Sify employees in SSC paper leak case (The Economic Times, 23 May 2018)
31 Aug 2018

Order / direction · Supreme Court of India

Results of CGL and CHSL 2017 stayed; court orally observed the whole system appeared compromised.

per: SSC paper leak case: Supreme Court directs CBI to file status report (NDTV, 9 Apr 2019)
1 Apr 2019

Order / direction · Supreme Court of India

SSC allowed to declare the results of the re-examination held in 2018.

per: SSC paper leak case: Supreme Court directs CBI to file status report (NDTV, 9 Apr 2019)
4 Jun 2019

Arrest · Central Bureau of Investigation

Three accused arrested in the leak case.

per: SSC paper leak case: Supreme Court directs CBI to file status report (NDTV, 9 Apr 2019)

What candidates got

Outcome	Ordered by	Order date	Detail
Re-exam held	SSC / Supreme Court of India	31 Aug 2018	Tier-II re-examination held in 2018; results released April 2019.

The investigation trail

Every SIT, committee and inquiry announced for this case — and whether its report ever became public.

CBI probe (SIT demanded by aspirants)

Formed 22 May 2018 · by Government of India (on SC observation)

Report status: not made public · 2,942 days elapsed

CBI charge-sheeted officials of the exam vendor and SSC staff; in Parliament, the minister had earlier stated there was no scam or leakage.

Sources on file

Tier 2 · reported CBI books 17 including Sify employees in SSC paper leak case — The Economic Times · 23 May 2018 [archived]
Tier 2 · reported SSC paper leak case: Supreme Court directs CBI to file status report — NDTV · 9 Apr 2019 [archived]

Status log

Every status this register has ever assigned to this case. Append-only.

21 Feb 2018	ALLEGED	Allegations surfaced publicly.
22 May 2018	ALLEGED → FIR_REGISTERED	FIR against 17 incl. 10 vendor employees and 7 candidates; searches at 12 locations.
4 Jun 2019	FIR_REGISTERED → ARRESTS_MADE	Three accused arrested in the leak case.

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 Central Bureau of Investigation — online via rtionline.gov.in (central bodies) or your state RTI portal.

To: The Public Information Officer,
Central Bureau of Investigation

Subject: Request under the Right to Information Act, 2005 — SSC CGL 2017 leak: SC called the system 'tainted'; CBI booked vendor staff

Under the Right to Information Act 2005, I request the following information:

1. Current status of FIR No. [number] dated 22 May 2018 concerning the question paper leak in Combined Graduate Level (CGL) 2017 — Tier II.
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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