APPSC Group-1 Row: CM Announces Complete Overhaul of Recruitment Body

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced plans to overhaul the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC), alleging serious lapses and large-scale irregularities in the conduct and evaluation of the Group-1 examination under the previous government.

Speaking during a special discussion in the Assembly under Rule 344, Naidu alleged that procedures were ignored in an examination meant to select candidates for some of the state’s most important government positions. He said the alleged violations had damaged public confidence in an institution responsible for recruiting senior officials.

Naidu said the 2018 Group-1 notification received around 1.14 lakh applications, with 325 candidates shortlisted. He alleged that the High Court’s directions on manual evaluation were not properly followed and that affidavits were submitted in a manner that misled the court.

He also claimed that work worth ₹1.19 crore was assigned for evaluation at Hi-Land even after the court’s directions. Following its examination of the matter, the High Court constituted a three-member committee headed by a retired judge, he said.

The Chief Minister’s most serious allegations related to the selection of evaluators. He claimed that people from professions including electricians, drivers, plumbers, security guards and sales executives were involved in evaluating Group-1 answer scripts despite allegedly lacking the required qualifications.

According to Naidu, a panel of 158 people was formed, with 72 assigned evaluation duties. He alleged that answer scripts and related material were shared through private emails, Google Drive and WhatsApp, while scripts were moved from the APPSC strong room and kept at Hi-Land for 84 days without proper authorisation.

Naidu said further irregularities emerged after Gautam Sawang became APPSC chairman and ordered manual evaluation. He claimed 49,000 duplicate OMR slips were printed and alleged alterations in 718 of 734 examined slips.

He also pointed to alleged unsigned OMR slips, circulation of examiner lists through messaging platforms and inadequate CCTV coverage during evaluation.

Naidu said the government would examine the alleged irregularities and take appropriate action. He announced plans for a complete APPSC overhaul, including stronger security measures, transparent evaluation procedures and reforms based on suggestions from experts and the public.