Candidates appearing for various recruitment exams in Prayagraj accused the State authorities on Sunday (May 31, 2026) of attempting to suppress a movement pushing for transparency. The Sanyukt Pratiyogi Chhatra Hunkar Manch, a students’ collective, alleged that irregularities are rampant in recruitment examinations and threatened to hold a protest in Lucknow on June 12 if their grievances are not addressed by the Uttar Pradesh government.

“Three coaching centres have been closed by local authorities for alleged violations of building safety norms, simply because they believe these centres support our movement. The aim is to suppress our struggle for transparency,” said Pankaj Pandey, convenor of the Sanyukt Pratiyogi Chhatra Hunkar Manch.

“We have raised concerns over irregularities, paper leaks, mismanagement at examination centres and lack of transparency in the recruitment processes in various State level competitive examinations including Lekhpal, and UP Sub-Inspector. Through the Hunkar Manch we have demanded that all the allegations be investigated. An independent high-level inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the Lekhpal main examination is a must especially since videos showing students being given extra time at three centres have gone viral. We demand that the main examination for Lekhpal be held again and also call for the early release of the scorecard of the UP (SI) examination. The government has been unsuccessful in conducting many recruitment and eligibility tests; therefore, we want the recruitment examination calendar to be followed fully,” added Mr. Pandey.

Indefinite protests

The Hunkar Manch threatened indefinite protests and demanded that a technical monitoring system be implemented to ensure all future competitive examinations are completely transparent and secure. They also sought that a permanent dialogue and grievance redressal mechanism be established at the government level to solve the problems of students.

On May 29, hundreds of young aspirants preparing for competitive examinations gathered in the streets of Prayagraj to protest against alleged irregularities in recruitment exams, paper leaks, and the increasing unemployment rate, under the banner of the Samyukt Pratiyogi Chhatra Hunkar Manch. The protesters, holding candles, organised a Hunkar programme and marched peacefully from Manmohan Park crossing in Katra to Chandrashekhar Azad Park, chanting slogans directed at the government and recruitment agencies. 

The Congress party has accused the government of failing the youth of the State by not providing employment opportunities. “For any state, nothing can be more shameful than a young population forced to hit the streets to demand transparency in examinations. There are serious allegations of malpractices in recruitment examinations. The aspirants are wasting their best years waiting for papers. Low and middle income youth see government jobs as the best option for upward social mobility. This is a structural failure of the BJP government,” said Anil Yadav, a senior Uttar Pradesh Congress leader.