In a desperate attempt to gain an edge in India’s fiercely competitive government job market, a medical doctor turned to crime, orchestrating a daring heist for exam question papers. Dr. Shubham Mandal, armed with a screwdriver, pliers, and a blade, infiltrated a freight warehouse in Ahmedabad to photograph the confidential police constable exam papers. This heist, masterminded by Ravi Atri—a serial offender in exam leaks—targeted an exam that drew nearly five million aspirants vying for 60,000 positions in Uttar Pradesh.
The operation exemplifies the dark side of India’s job crisis, where a burgeoning young workforce faces limited opportunities. Government jobs, offering stability and modest pay, are highly coveted amidst an economy that struggles to create sufficient formal employment. Nearly half of India’s workforce remains engaged in informal or agricultural sectors, leaving millions to battle for limited positions.
Atri’s criminal network mirrored a pyramid scheme, with operatives at various levels distributing leaked questions to paying clients. Despite the gang’s elaborate efforts, their plot unraveled when police traced the breach to its source.
The widespread leak led to the cancellation of exam results, forcing millions to retake the test months later under heightened security. This scandal underscores the deep structural issues in India’s job market, where even menial government jobs attract highly qualified applicants.
The case highlights growing public discontent, with students and families accusing a broken system of perpetuating inequality. Many feel trapped in a cycle of costly preparation and pervasive corruption, undermining the meritocracy these exams aim to uphold.
For aspirants like Subhash Gupta, the stakes remain high. Amid tightened security, he joined millions at retest centers, clinging to the hope of securing a stable future in an increasingly uncertain job landscape.