Rajasthan HC upholds single-judge bench verdict cancelling SI Recruitment Exam 2021

The Rajasthan High Court on Saturday upheld a verdict delivered in August last year by a single-judge bench of Samir Jain, cancelling the Rajasthan SI Recruitment Exam 2021.

Delivering its judgment on appeals filed by successful candidates and the state government against the single-judge bench’s verdict, a division bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma held that “the exam stands cancelled”.

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While upholding the ruling of the single-bench judge bench of Justice Samir Jain, the division bench, however, set aside the court’s suo motu cognisance taken against the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC).

The RPSC had conducted the SI Recruitment Exam 2021 to fill 859 posts of Sub-Inspectors (SIs) in the Rajasthan Police. However, the exam was tainted by widespread allegations of paper leaks, proxy candidates, copying, and other unfair means.

A multi-layered probe and investigations by the police and the Special Operations Group (SOG) were carried out over a long period. The SoG arrested more than 150 accused, including several selected trainee SIs. Some accused are still absconding, and the probe is ongoing.

After a prolonged trial and arguments, the single-judge bench of Justice Jain pronounced its judgment on August 28, 2025, ordering the cancellation of the entire recruitment process for the 2021 exam.

The successful candidates and the state government had filed appeals challenging the single-judge bench’s order, following which the division bench stayed the verdict and ordered that the status quo be maintained.

In a bid to secure early relief, the appellants also approached the Supreme Court. On September 24, 2025, the apex court directed the High Court to complete the hearing of the appeals within three months.

Accordingly, the High Court’s division bench completed the arguments on January 19, 2026, and reserved its verdict.

Many among the 859 selected trainee SIs who had joined training were already in state service in various posts and departments. They had resigned from their earlier posts to join as SIs. Such trainees will have a chance to rejoin their previous posts.