SC seeks Centre’s response on plea for streamlining SSC recruitment tests

The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre and the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) on a petition seeking reforms in the manner of conducting national-level recruitment examinations.

A Bench led by Justice PS Narasimha on September 4 asked the Centre and the SSC to respond to a petition filed by one Nikhil Kumar by October 28 – the next date of hearing. Kumar has sought measures to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability in the examination process.

Entrusted with holding recruitment examinations for several gazetted and non-gazetted posts across union ministries, the SSC had for years engaged Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to conduct the examinations.

These were reportedly held without significant controversy, the petitioner submitted However, a controversy arose after the SSC entrusted the conduct of the Selection Post/Phase XIII Examination, 2025 to “Eduquity”, he alleged.

The first phase of the examination suffered from serious irregularities, including poor infrastructure and malfunctioning systems, the petitioner alleged. Despite representations to the ministry, the second phase of the exam also witnessed similar disruptions and the third phase of the test was set to be conducted in September. Based on their past experience, candidates apprehended similar negligence, Kumar submitted.