The Andhra Pradesh High Court has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into alleged irregularities and corruption in the evaluation of APPSC Group-1 (2018) Mains exam papers. The court directed the state to constitute the SIT under an Additional Director General (ADG)-rank officer. It also instructed officials to submit a detailed report by March 16.
The order comes amid serious allegations of illegal outsourcing, financial misconduct, and manipulation in the evaluation process.
Key Accused in APPSC Group-1 Evaluation Case
Investigators have identified two primary accused in the APPSC Group-1 evaluation scam.
Accused No.1 is senior IPS officer P.S.R. Anjaneyulu, who served as APPSC Secretary during the period in question. Authorities have already placed him in remand in a separate case related to the alleged illegal detention of actress Kadambari Jethwani. Now, police are preparing to seek his custody through a PT (Production Transfer) warrant for further questioning in the Group-1 case.
Accused No.2 is CamSign Media, a private agency allegedly hired for evaluation-related work. Police plan to name the firm’s representative in the FIR and may proceed with arrests based on preliminary findings.
Allegations of Illegal Outsourcing and Dummy Camp
According to the investigation, officials bypassed established procedures despite warnings from a Commission member. The member reportedly cautioned that outsourcing evaluation work to a third party violated both APPSC rules and High Court directions. However, the contract still went to CamSign Media.
Authorities awarded the contract through a quotation process within just 48 hours in December 2021. Soon after, the agency set up a so-called “dummy evaluation camp” at Haailand Resorts. There, it allegedly handled 24 types of work linked to answer sheets.
Shockingly, instead of qualified examiners, the agency reportedly used its own staff and local individuals with only Intermediate or Degree-level education to evaluate OMR sheets and descriptive papers. Reports suggest these individuals received payments between ₹10,000 and ₹15,000.
Financial Misconduct and Fund Diversion
The case also involves alleged misappropriation of public funds. APPSC reportedly paid around ₹1.14 crore to CamSign Media. However, investigators estimate that nearly ₹74–75 lakh may have been diverted or misused.
These financial irregularities have intensified public outrage, especially among candidates who appeared for the prestigious civil services examination.
High Court Orders Forensic Audit of Answer Sheets
Meanwhile, the High Court has issued strict directions to ensure transparency. The bench ordered the SIT to verify whether the answer sheets of selected candidates remain safe and untampered.
In addition, the court asked investigators to seek assistance from forensic experts outside the state. This step aims to guarantee an impartial and technically sound examination of the documents. The SIT must confirm whether anyone altered the papers and submit its findings before March 16.
Candidates Demand Deeper Probe
As the investigation nears completion in Vijayawada, aggrieved candidates have demanded a comprehensive probe. Many have questioned why the then Chairman and other Commission members failed to stop the alleged irregularities.
The High Court’s intervention has now placed the entire APPSC Group-1 evaluation process under judicial scrutiny. With the SIT set to begin its work, the coming weeks may determine the future of one of Andhra Pradesh’s most controversial recruitment examinations.
For the latest updates, click here.
