Lucknow office sealed as TDPL faces UP exam nepotism claims
TDPL, a testing firm linked to Uttar Pradesh recruitment exams, has a record of alleged irregularities. In 2021-22 TDPL conducted exams for 186 UP Assembly vacancies; a 2024 Express investigation found a fifth of hires went to relatives of VVIPs and officials. Recent Jharkhand CID actions and a seal
Key takeaways
- TDPL conducted UP Assembly recruitment exams in 2021-22 for 186 vacancies.
- A 2024 investigation reported about 20% of those hired were relatives of VVIPs and officials linked to the exams.
- Jharkhand CID arrested TDPL personnel; Lucknow office was sealed; a search and seizure occurred.
- Allahabad High Court described the irregularities as shocking and called for further inquiry; Supreme Court halted the CBI probe, with the High Court handling further proceedings.
What Happened
TDPL, a private testing firm involved in government recruitment work in Uttar Pradesh, faced renewed scrutiny after law-enforcement actions and court comments tied to its conduct in exams. The firm conducted examinations in 2021-22 for 186 administrative vacancies at the secretariats of the UP Legislative Assembly and Council, under an arrangement where the Central Public Sector Enterprise BECIL hired TDPL to carry out the recruitment process.
In November 2024, an investigation by The Indian Express identified that about 20% of those recruited in the UP Assembly recruitment were relatives of VVIPs and officials connected to the exams, including at least five relatives of TDPL directors Ram Beer Singh and Satya Pal Singh.
In the following period, Jharkhand Police’s CID arrested Ram Beer Singh and several TDPL employees in connection with irregularities in exams for government recruitments in Jharkhand. Satya Pal Singh’s whereabouts were not known at the time of reporting. The Lucknow office of TDPL was described as the firm’s “main office” in RoC records and was found sealed when the Express visited. Local police stated that Jharkhand police conducted a search with a warrant and seized documents, and that no staff were present during the search.
Courts in Uttar Pradesh have weighed in on the irregularities linked to TDPL. The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court called the irregularities “shocking,” questioned the integrity of the process, and urged a CBI probe. The CBI’s probe was later quashed by the Supreme Court following a petition from the UP Legislative Council, with the matter subsequently continuing in the High Court. The UP Assembly recruitment was contracted to BECIL, which hired TDPL to conduct the exams; officials noted that TDPL had not been awarded any government contract for conducting exams since the High Court’s involvement began.
Registrar of Companies records show TDPL was incorporated in July 2010 by Ram Beer Singh, Satya Pal Singh, and Mohammed Tariq, who exited the firm in 2013. The company’s latest filed data (August 29, 2025) lists Ram Beer Singh and Satya Pal as the two promoters, each owning 50% of 5,000 equity shares, with 965 employees reported and all listed as male. Financial disclosures for 2024-25 show revenue from operations at Rs 19.62 crore, up from Rs 5.23 crore in 2023-24, and a post-tax profit of Rs 48.54 lakh. Salary disclosures show Rs 18.60 lakh per promoter for 2024-25. Ram Beer Singh and Satya Pal also hold director positions in four other firms, including Smiling Developers Pvt Ltd and LKO Food and.
Why It Matters
The case ties a private testing firm to alleged nepotism and opacity in recruitment for a key state governance body, prompting judicial scrutiny and questions about accountability in examinations that affect public sector staffing. The sealing of the Lucknow office and arrests in Jharkhand signal ongoing legal exposure for the firm, while high court observations have raised concerns about transparency in results and candidate selection in these exams.
Background
In the 2021-22 cycle, TDPL was one of three firms conducting exams for 186 UP Assembly and Council vacancies, with the recruitment process managed by BECIL on behalf of the UP administration. A prior Express investigation in 2024 had highlighted the share of vacancies allotted to relatives of officials, suggesting potential nepotism. The CBI probe into the case was halted by the Supreme Court on a petition, leaving the High Court to continue proceedings, and no further government testing contracts for TDPL were reported since that intervention.
Key Facts
- TDPL conducted UP Assembly recruitment exams in 2021-22 for 186 administrative vacancies.
- In November 2024, reports indicated about 20% of appointments went to relatives of VVIPs and officials involved.
- Ram Beer Singh and two other TDPL personnel were arrested by Jharkhand CID in connection with irregularities in Jharkhand government recruitments; Satya Pal Singh’s location was unknown at the time.
- The Lucknow main office of TDPL was found sealed; Jharkhand police conducted a search with a warrant.
- The Allahabad High Court in Lucknow described the irregularities as “shocking” and called for a CBI probe; the Supreme Court later quashed the CBI probe following a petition, with the matter remaining before the High Court.
- UP Assembly recruitment was handled by BECIL, which hired TDPL to conduct the exams; no new government contracts for TDPL were reported after the High Court’s involvement.
- TDPL was incorporated in July 2010 by Ram Beer Singh, Satya Pal Singh, and Mohammed Tariq (who exited in 2013); as of Aug 29, 2025, the two promoters held all shares (5,000), with 965 employees listed as male.
- Financials for 2024-25 show revenue from operations of Rs 19.62 crore and post-tax profit of Rs 48.54 lakh; promoters’ salaries were Rs 18.60 lakh each.
What Happens Next
Official records indicate the High Court continues to examine the matter; the Supreme Court had previously quashed a CBI probe, leaving the High Court as the forum for ongoing review. No additional government contracts for TDPL have been reported since the court actions began, suggesting a potential cooling or restructuring period for the firm as investigations proceed.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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