Allegations of cheating in JKSSB exam, test at 2 centres cancelled

Srinagar: Allegations of cheating and mass copying have marred the examination conducted by Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB), with the board cancelling the exam at two centres in Jammu following ruckus there.

The JKSSB had yesterday conducted examination for various categories of graduate-level posts which were referred by various indenting departments in 2014 and 2015.

Complaints of cheating and of invigilators helping candidates were received from Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Ganderbal and Budgam districts of the Valley. Pictures of groups of examinees writing answers in the open and using cell phones in the exam also went viral on social networking sites.

The Board cancelled the examination at two centres in Jammu after some ruckus was created by the candidates there, Secretary JKSSB, Shabir Ahmad Raina told PTI.

Raina said the board will look into complaints, if any, and it would conduct the examination again, if asked to do so by the government.

Several exam aspirants claimed that there was no checking of the candidates and answer sheets were handed over to them without proper procedure.

Some other candidates alleged that aspirants from influential families were given papers outside exam halls with all facilities, including internet and an aspirant from Ganderbal claimed that invigilators even helped candidates cheat in the exam.

Meanwhile, one Owais Talib said he along with a few other candidates were planning to register a complaint against the erring officials before JKSSB authorities.

"(We) have also decided to protest against such mass copying and will demand re-examination of the same."

As many as 58,548 candidates appeared in the exams yesterday out of 89,457 who had applied. The exams were conducted at 236 centres across the state.