TDP MP Seeks Legal Action Against False Recruitment Exam Propaganda

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu has called for stricter legal provisions to curb the spread of false information and rumours surrounding government recruitment examinations, arguing that misinformation can be as damaging as examination malpractices by eroding public confidence and creating panic among aspirants.

Speaking during the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Lavu alleged that the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) had deliberately spread misleading claims about the recently conducted Andhra Pradesh Mega DSC teacher recruitment examination. He urged the Centre to amend the law to ensure stringent action against those who intentionally disseminate false narratives capable of undermining the credibility of public examinations.

Recalling the 2018 DSC recruitment process, the MP said the exercise was plagued by delays and alleged irregularities. He noted that the evaluation of answer scripts remained incomplete until 2022, eventually prompting the Andhra Pradesh High Court to cancel the recruitment process due to procedural lapses.

In contrast, Lavu said the NDA government in Andhra Pradesh conducted the Mega DSC in a transparent and efficient manner after assuming office in 2024 under the leadership of Education Minister Nara Lokesh. The recruitment drive filled 16,347 teacher vacancies, providing employment opportunities to thousands of qualified candidates across the state. However, he alleged that YSRCP leaders continued to spread baseless allegations, creating confusion among successful candidates and unemployed aspirants.

The MP stressed that public examinations determine the future of lakhs of students and job seekers, making it imperative to safeguard the integrity of the recruitment process. While the law rightly targets question paper leaks, impersonation, hacking of examination systems and organised cheating, he argued that deliberate misinformation should also attract stringent legal consequences, as it can inflict lasting damage on the credibility of recruitment agencies and government institutions.

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 was enacted to combat organised examination fraud, and the proposed 2026 Amendment Bill seeks to further strengthen enforcement by enabling faster investigations, improving coordination among agencies and facilitating quicker disposal of cases through fast-track courts.

Lavu also expressed concern over the rapid commercialisation of India's private coaching industry, observing that students are increasingly becoming dependent on coaching institutes from as early as Class 7. With the sector expected to grow into a ₹1 lakh crore industry, he called for a National Coaching Regulation Framework to ensure greater transparency, improve quality standards and prevent education from becoming a purely profit-driven enterprise.