---
title: "Andhra Pradesh Group-I Exam Irregularities Uncovered by SIT Probe"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/andhra-pradesh-group-i-exam-irregularities-sit-probe-6fe3x
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Politics
published: 2026-08-13T10:00:33.403Z
modified: 2026-08-13T13:30:05.011Z
language: en-IN
---

# Andhra Pradesh Group-I Exam Irregularities Uncovered by SIT Probe

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Andhra Pradesh has revealed significant irregularities in the 2018 Group-I recruitment examination. Allegations include unauthorized evaluators, manual evaluation at private locations, and alterations in OMR sheets.

## Key takeaways

- An SIT in Andhra Pradesh has detailed alleged irregularities in the 2018 Group-I recruitment examination.
- The investigation covers digital and manual evaluation phases, citing unauthorized evaluators and mark discrepancies.
- Allegations include the use of private resorts for evaluation and significant alterations found in answer sheets.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the 2018 Andhra Pradesh Group-I recruitment examination has detailed alleged irregularities impacting multiple evaluation phases. The examination was conducted by the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (PSC) to fill 169 Group-I posts, attracting over 1.14 lakh applicants.

The SIT was established in February 2026 following a High Court directive to investigate claims of tampering and irregularities. The probe identified issues during three distinct evaluation processes: an initial digital valuation in 2021, a manual evaluation conducted at a private resort after a High Court order, and a subsequent manual evaluation in Vijayawada during 2022.

## What Happened

During the first digital evaluation in 2021, the SIT found that the decision to use digital methods and the selection of evaluators lacked the mandatory approval of the PSC Chairman. While 158 evaluators were approved, only 72 performed evaluations. An additional 25 individuals not on the approved list also evaluated answer scripts and were compensated. The SIT noted that the approved evaluator panel largely comprised teachers and lecturers from private institutions rather than university-level subject experts as typically required.

The digital evaluation process was managed using unofficial private email accounts and Google Drive links. The SIT also reported discrepancies between marks recorded by evaluators and those appearing in the final digital results database. A freelancer, Mahamkali Raghuram, allegedly entered second evaluation marks without an independent second examiner.

Following candidate challenges, the High Court ordered a manual evaluation, deeming the digital valuation methodology inconsistent with the recruitment notification. However, this manual evaluation allegedly took place at a private resort, not a government facility. The SIT claims this process involved re-entering earlier digital marks, with answer scripts reportedly held by a private agency for 84 days. The former PSC secretary, PSR Anjaneyulu, was implicated regarding these manual evaluation irregularities.

A second manual evaluation was initiated in Vijayawada in February 2022 after D Gautam Sawang took charge of the PSC. The SIT found no documentary evidence supporting the then PSC Chairman Sawang’s policy decision to conduct this second manual evaluation. This phase allegedly involved approximately 95 percent alterations or overwrites on answer scripts.

## Key Facts

- A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is probing the 2018 Andhra Pradesh Group-I recruitment examination.
- The examination aimed to recruit 169 Group-I posts and received over 1.14 lakh applications.
- The SIT was formed in February 2026 based on High Court directions.
- Alleged irregularities occurred during digital evaluation, a manual evaluation at a private resort, and a second manual evaluation in Vijayawada.
- Unauthorised evaluators were allegedly used during the digital evaluation phase.
- The digital evaluation was coordinated via private email accounts and Google Drive links.
- The PSC reportedly paid ₹1.38 crore to Stone Media Advisory Services and TrueGrader for digital evaluation.
- Mahamkali Raghuram allegedly received ₹10 lakh for evaluation and coordination work.
- A High Court order led to a manual evaluation after issues with the digital process.
- Answer scripts were allegedly kept in a private agency's custody for 84 days.
- The second manual evaluation in Vijayawada reportedly showed around 95 percent alterations or overwrites.

---
Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/andhra-pradesh-group-i-exam-irregularities-sit-probe-6fe3x
Reported from: Multiple Sources