Odisha Police Sub-Inspector Recruitment Examination Paper Swap Scam

In September 2025, a major scandal erupted in Odisha, India, involving the Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment examination. The Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) had scheduled the Combined Police Service Examination (CPSE)-2024 for October 5–6, 2025, for 933 SI posts, with about 153,000 applicants. An anonymous tip on September 30 led police to intercept three buses carrying 114 aspirants and middlemen near the Odisha–Andhra Pradesh border, en route to receive coaching on leaked papers. Investigation revealed a sophisticated conspiracy: private subcontractor Silicon Techlab illegally engaged Panchsoft Technologies (headed by Shankar Prusty). Suresh Nayak allegedly swapped the primary question paper set (Set No. 5) with the backup set (Set No. 3) at a Kolkata printing press, enabling the syndicate to leak the actual questions in advance. Aspirants paid ₹20–25 lakh each for access. The Crime Branch arrested over 126 people, including 114 aspirants and mastermind Shankar Prusty. The case was transferred to the CBI in November 2025 due to its multi-state nexus.

As of January 2026, the CBI has filed a preliminary chargesheet naming 16 accused, including Shankar Prusty, Muna Mohanty, Suresh Nayak, and others. The 114 arrested aspirants were granted conditional bail by a Berhampur court. The examination was indefinitely postponed. The investigation continues, with CBI probing broader conspiracies and potential involvement of influential individuals.

Whether private subcontractors and the syndicate systematically compromised the examination by swapping question paper sets at the printing press without OPRB knowledge; the extent of involvement of influential individuals and officials; and whether the 114 arrested aspirants were victims or willing participants in the fraud.

The scandal severely eroded public trust in government recruitment processes in Odisha and across India. It exposed critical vulnerabilities in outsourcing examination logistics to private firms without adequate oversight. The case sparked political outrage, with opposition demanding a CBI probe. It also raised ethical questions about the desperation of job aspirants willing to pay巨额 bribes and the role of middlemen exploiting unemployment. The state government's decision to transfer the case to the CBI underscored the seriousness of interstate organized crime in manipulating public examinations.