A hi-tech cheating case has marred the recruitment examination for engineering posts in the Public Works Department (PWD) in Chhattisgarh, triggering swift administrative action and sharp political reactions.
The incident took place at Ramdulare School in Bilaspur’s Sarkanda area, where a female candidate was allegedly caught using an electronic device concealed in her undergarments to receive assistance during the test.
Sources revealed that an external accomplice was relaying answers through a tablet and a walkie talkie system positioned outside the examination centre. The covert setup sparked commotion within the exam hall, prompting police intervention. A video clip allegedly documenting the incident has since gone viral on social media. Authorities have launched a formal investigation, and legal proceedings are underway.
The Opposition Congress party has seized upon the incident to question the BJP-led state government’s ability to conduct fair and transparent examinations. Senior Congress leader and former Deputy Chief Minister T S Singh Deo described the episode as “deeply alarming” and claimed it reflects a pattern of organised irregularities in recruitment processes.
“This is not an isolated case. The use of micro devices, walkie talkies, and remote transmission points to a coordinated operation. Paper leaks, recruitment scams, and now exam fraud have become increasingly common in BJP ruled states,” Singh Deo stated on social media, citing similar allegations in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and even in the NEET examination.
However, political observers note that the Congress, while in power in Chhattisgarh, had also faced serious allegations of irregularities in the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) during its tenure. Now, in Opposition, the party is leveraging the PWD exam controversy to intensify pressure on the BJP government and reconnect with the state’s youth preparing for competitive exams.
In response to the incident, senior state officials confirmed that a comprehensive probe is underway. “Government agencies are examining the matter in depth. Anyone found guilty will face strict action,” a senior official said.