---
title: "Andhra Pradesh SIT Exposes Major Irregularities in Group-I Exam Valuation"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/andhra-pradesh-apcce-group-i-exam-irregularities-ipcm0
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Politics
published: 2026-08-14T04:00:56.171Z
modified: 2026-08-14T06:30:04.960Z
language: en-IN
---

# Andhra Pradesh SIT Exposes Major Irregularities in Group-I Exam Valuation

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Andhra Pradesh has revealed significant irregularities in the valuation of the 2020 Group-I job recruitment examination. The investigation found answer scripts moved from secure custody, qualified evaluators sidelined, and unauthorized personnel used for scoring

## Key takeaways

- A Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Andhra Pradesh has reported significant irregularities in the 2020 Group-I recruitment exam's evaluation process.
- The investigation found answer scripts were moved from secure custody to a resort, and qualified evaluators were replaced by unauthorized personnel.
- Forensic analysis revealed alterations in a large majority of evaluated answer scripts.
- The high court had previously declared the second and third valuation rounds illegal and ordered a new exam.

The Andhra Pradesh police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) has identified substantial irregularities in the valuation process for the Group-I job recruitment examination conducted in December 2020. Officials familiar with the investigation stated that the report, submitted to the state high court on August 10, details compromises across the exam's three evaluation stages.

The SIT, established on February 14 following a high court directive, investigated lapses that occurred during the previous YSR Congress Party government. Its findings come amidst recent concerns regarding paper leaks and student protests.

## What Happened

The Group-I examination, which saw 114,473 aspirants competing for 169 posts, initially underwent digital valuation by TrueGrader EduServices, with results declared on April 1, 2021. However, this process was challenged, leading to two subsequent rounds of manual valuation. The SIT report indicates that answer scripts were moved from a secure government location to the Haailand Resort in Guntur district for 84 days, from December 5, 2021, to February 26, 2022, without documented justification or approval from the APPSC chairman.

During the manual evaluation phases, the SIT discovered that 452 university subject experts engaged by the APPSC were not utilized. Instead, 66 data-entry operators, including individuals with backgrounds as electricians, security guards, clerks, private teachers, and homemakers, were tasked with evaluating answer sheets. These operators were reportedly instructed to transfer existing marks onto OMR slips without opening the scripts, and they allegedly signed off as evaluators and camp officers, which the SIT has characterized as forgery and impersonation.

Forensic examination of 736 answer scripts revealed widespread alterations, with 718 showing signs of tampering or overwriting. Additionally, 159 signature mismatches and 153 chief examiner alterations were noted.

## Background

The Group-I (mains) examination took place from December 14 to 20, 2020. Following the digital valuation and shortlisting of 326 candidates, subsequent manual evaluations led to multiple petitions being filed by aspirants in the high court during 2022. On March 13, 2024, the high court deemed the second and third valuation rounds illegal and irregular, ordering a fresh Group-I (mains) examination.

The investigation also noted that the digital valuation contract was awarded to TrueGrader EduServices without competitive tenders. The managing director of this firm was identified as a college associate of the then APPSC secretary, PSR Anjaneyulu.

## Key Facts

- The SIT submitted its report to the Andhra Pradesh high court on August 10.

- The Group-I examination was conducted in December 2020 for 169 posts with 114,473 applicants.

- Answer scripts were moved from APPSC strong room to Haailand Resort for 84 days (December 5, 2021, to February 26, 2022).

- 66 data-entry operators and unauthorized personnel evaluated answer sheets instead of 452 subject experts.

- Forensic examination found alterations in 718 out of 736 answer sheets.

- The high court ordered a fresh Group-I (mains) examination on March 13, 2024.

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/andhra-pradesh-apcce-group-i-exam-irregularities-ipcm0
Reported from: Multiple Sources