Case file · UPPSC · surfaced 12 Feb 2024

UPPSC RO/ARO 2024 prelims cancelled over leak

Stalled documented status: FIR registered

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.

The UPPSC Review Officer / Assistant Review Officer preliminary exam of 11 February 2024 (411 posts, about 10.8 lakh candidates) was cancelled on 2 March 2024 after paper-leak allegations spread on social media and candidates protested. The Chief Minister ordered cancellation on the Commission's report, a re-exam within six months, and an STF investigation to identify and prosecute those involved. The re-examination was eventually conducted in July 2025.

Examination: RO/ARO (Preliminary) Examination 2023
Conducting body: U.P. Public Service Commission (UPPSC)
Exam date: 11 Feb 2024
Leak date (as documented): 11 Feb 2024
Surfaced: 12 Feb 2024
States: Uttar Pradesh
Candidates affected: ~10.8 lakh
Leak vector: Vector unestablished
State govt at the time: BJP
Last reviewed: 11 Jun 2026

Stall clock — no docket movement for

829

days (2y 99d) · last movement 2024-03-04

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

Social media circulation

The paper circulated on WhatsApp before the morning shift; coaching operators in Prayagraj flagged matching questions the same day.

The conducting body's first response

Acknowledged it

UPPSC cancelled the examination on 2 March 2024 and the government handed the case to the STF.

The docket

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

2 Mar 2024

Exam cancelled · Government of Uttar Pradesh / UPPSC

Exam cancelled on the Commission's report; STF probe ordered.

per: UPPSC RO, ARO exam cancelled amidst leaks, CM orders probe (The Times of India, 2 Mar 2024)
4 Mar 2024

FIR registered · Special Task Force, UP Police

STF investigation registered to identify and prosecute individuals involved in the leak.

per: UPPSC RO, ARO exams cancelled over alleged paper leak (Republic World, 3 Mar 2024)

What candidates got

Outcome	Ordered by	Order date	Detail
Exam cancelled (full)	Government of Uttar Pradesh	2 Mar 2024	—
Re-exam held	UPPSC	—	Re-examination conducted in July 2025.

The investigation trail

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

UP STF probe (clubbed with constable-leak network)

Formed 2 Mar 2024 · by Government of Uttar Pradesh

Report status: not made public · 831 days elapsed

STF traced the leak to a Bhopal printing-press channel; trial pending, no public report.

What it cost candidates

₹13.4 crore estimated

The workings

10.76 lakh candidates × Rs 125 fee ≈ Rs 13.5 crore in fees; the re-exam came seventeen months later, in July 2025.

Travel and preparation costs for the second sitting excluded.

no fee refund documented No refund recorded.

methodology →

per: UPPSC notification (fee); reported registration figures.

Sources on file

Tier 2 · reported UPPSC RO, ARO exam cancelled amidst leaks, CM orders probe — The Times of India · 2 Mar 2024 [archived]
Tier 2 · reported UPPSC RO, ARO exams cancelled over alleged paper leak — Republic World · 3 Mar 2024 [archived]

Status log

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

12 Feb 2024	ALLEGED	Allegations surfaced publicly.
4 Mar 2024	ALLEGED → FIR_REGISTERED	STF investigation registered to identify and prosecute individuals involved in the leak.

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 Special Task Force, UP Police — online via rtionline.gov.in (central bodies) or your state RTI portal.

To: The Public Information Officer,
Special Task Force, UP Police

Subject: Request under the Right to Information Act, 2005 — UPPSC RO/ARO 2024 prelims cancelled over leak

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

1. Current status of FIR No. [number] dated 4 Mar 2024 concerning the question paper leak in RO/ARO (Preliminary) Examination 2023.
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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