Corruption allegations have emerged as the Modi government allows a blacklisted firm to conduct the second phase of recruitment exams for the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Gujarat-based EduTest, previously blacklisted for leaking medical college admission papers, has been selected to oversee the exams for Section Officers and Assistant Section Officers.
EduTest founder, Suresh Chandra Arya, is the president of a Hindu organization, and Narendra Modi has been seen attending events organized by Arya. Despite the firm's controversial background, the Modi government directed CSIR to utilize Advotest for new recruitment exams.
The Wire reports that the company's managing director, Vineet Arya, has been arrested but the firm continues to receive test contracts from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Indian media also report that Vineet Arya has fled abroad to evade arrest by the UP police.
Candidates from the first phase of the exam, who were jailed for cheating, have been included in the list of successful candidates. This has added to the controversy surrounding the second phase of the exam, which CSIR has already officially notified.
