Rahul Gandhi to Address Student Issues in Dehradun Amid Paper Leak Controversy
Upcoming Student Engagement Program in Dehradun
On July 17, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, is set to host a program titled 'Students' Echo' at Bannu School in Dehradun. Preparations are currently underway for this event, which is expected to attract a significant number of students. Ahead of his visit, Gandhi has raised concerns regarding the alleged paper leak scandal associated with the 2025 Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC) recruitment exams.
During a recent address, Gandhi criticized the Uttarakhand government, asserting that the state's anti-cheating laws have proven ineffective, existing merely on paper while exam papers continue to be sold illegally. As part of the nationwide initiative 'Students' Echo', he plans to engage with the youth in the state capital, focusing on issues such as examination irregularities and the overall state of India's education system.
Allegations Against Uttarakhand Government
In a post on social media, Gandhi accused Uttarakhand, often referred to as 'Dev Bhoomi', of becoming a hub for paper leaks, questioning the state government's handling of the situation. He stated, "I will be in Dehradun on July 17. But why Uttarakhand? Because 'Dev Bhoomi' has been turned into the center of paper leaks." He specifically targeted the alleged discrepancies in the UKSSSC exams scheduled for 2025, claiming that a system has emerged where government positions are acquired through means other than merit.
Gandhi elaborated that the UKSSSC exams have created a scenario where positions such as patwari and lekhpal are not filled based on merit but rather through prices set by criminals. Following a major controversy over paper leaks in October 2025, the UKSSSC canceled the graduate-level recruitment exam, which included 416 vacancies for various positions, after a thorough investigation deemed the written tests held on September 21, 2025, completely invalid.
Ongoing Investigations and Legislative Actions
Previously, a one-member inquiry commission established by the Uttarakhand government submitted an interim report to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami regarding the alleged irregularities in the competitive exam conducted by UKSSSC on September 21, 2025. The commission is led by Justice (Retired) U.C. Dhyani.
Gandhi further claimed that despite the introduction of stringent anti-cheating laws, incidents of paper leaks have persisted. He remarked, "The government enacted strict anti-cheating laws, yet leaks continued. The law remained confined to paper while exam papers were sold in the market."