Jaipur, April 6, 2026: The Rajasthan High Court has upheld the cancellation of the 2021 Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment examination, citing serious irregularities and a “deep systemic failure” that compromised the integrity of the selection process. The decision has significantly impacted thousands of candidates while raising fresh concerns over recruitment transparency in the state.
A division bench led by Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Sangeeta Sharma ruled that the recruitment process had been “vitiated at multiple levels” due to widespread allegations of paper leaks, impersonation, and the involvement of organized cheating networks. According to the court, the scale of malpractice made it impossible to identify only the guilty candidates, forcing authorities to cancel the entire recruitment exercise.
Recruitment Process Under Scanner
The SI recruitment examination conducted in 2021 aimed to fill 859 posts in Rajasthan Police and had attracted lakhs of applicants. Investigations later revealed that question papers had allegedly been leaked through organized networks, with several candidates accessing the exam content before the test. Authorities also uncovered the use of Bluetooth devices, dummy candidates, and other unfair means during the examination.
The High Court noted major shortcomings in the examination system, including lack of biometric verification, internet services remaining active during the test, and unclear photographs on admit cards, which made impersonation easier. These loopholes, the bench said, severely undermined the credibility and fairness of the recruitment process.
Fresh SI Examination Conducted
Meanwhile, Rajasthan authorities recently conducted the new SI recruitment examination in multiple shifts across hundreds of centres, including 199 examination centres in Jaipur district. The exam witnessed thousands of candidates appearing for the test, although a significant number reportedly remained absent.
Officials said the exam was conducted under tight security arrangements, with authorities deploying monitoring teams and surveillance measures to prevent cheating and ensure transparency. The Special Operations Group (SOG) and local administration kept a close watch on examination centres.
Supreme Court’s Interim Relief
In a related development, the Supreme Court allowed candidates from the cancelled 2021 recruitment cycle to appear provisionally in the new examination. However, the court clarified that their results will remain withheld until the legal issues related to age relaxation and eligibility are finally resolved.
Impact on Candidates
The High Court’s ruling has affected thousands of candidates who had cleared various stages of the earlier recruitment process, including written exams, physical tests, and interviews. The court stated that no candidate can claim a right to appointment if the recruitment process itself is flawed or compromised.
Call for Reforms
The judgment has also sparked discussions about reforms in recruitment examinations conducted by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC). The court emphasized the need for stricter examination management systems and stronger safeguards to prevent leaks and cheating in future recruitment drives.
The case continues to draw attention across the state, as thousands of aspirants await clarity on future recruitment processes and the steps authorities will take to restore confidence in competitive examinations.