Senior Advocate S Sriram Subrahmanyam, who previously served as the Advocate General of Andhra Pradesh, has initiated a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, aiming for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Mega DSC-2025 recruitment process. During the court proceedings on August 4, he contended that irregularities encountered in the recruitment were indicative of systemic failures rather than isolated incidents.

Allegations of Irregularities and Changes to Recruitment Policies

Subrahmanyam highlighted significant alterations to the sports quota policy executed by the government shortly prior to the Mega DSC-2025 notification. According to him, the reservation under the sports quota was raised from 2 per cent to 3 per cent, and the prerequisite of passing an entrance examination was reportedly abolished. These changes, he argued, have seemingly favoured a specific set of candidates and were enacted without adequate transparency.

Moreover, he claimed that several candidates allegedly secured appointments based on sports certificates that failed to adhere to the eligibility criteria set forth. He presented sample certificates in court, asserting that some candidates had participated solely in local competitions, lacking the requisite qualifications for State or National-level events. This, he believed, illustrated a broader pattern of irregularities within the recruitment process rather than mere mistakes.

In light of public criticism, Subrahmanyam noted that the government had ultimately retracted the orders concerning the sports quota. He posited that this withdrawal raised significant questions regarding the legitimacy of the alterations to the policy and warranted an independent investigation to ensure accountability.

Concerns Over Candidate Intimidation and Lack of Transparency

Subrahmanyam informed the court that many of the materials presented had been secured via Right to Information (RTI) requests and other public channels. He made it clear that only representative instances had been filed due to the government’s failure to publish a comprehensive merit list, thereby limiting access to essential information.

He further noted that numerous candidates, who might be affected by the alleged irregularities, had refrained from approaching the judiciary out of fear of potential legal repercussions and intimidation. According to Subrahmanyam, the government’s communications surrounding the recruitment process had created an atmosphere discouraging the publication of allegations, which impeded a transparent discourse on the matter.

Addressing the political affiliations of the petitioner, he asserted that the PIL was initiated in the broader public interest, as the implications of this issue impact a significant number of teacher aspirants. He emphasised that while individual writ petitions might cater to personal grievances, only a PIL could effectively advocate for an investigation into systemic irregularities affecting the recruitment process.

Call for Comprehensive Investigation into Recruitment Procedures

Subrahmanyam urged the court to mandate a CBI investigation exploring the entirety of the Mega DSC-2025 recruitment process, which would encompass the creation of question papers, the administration of examinations, the verification of certificates, the execution of the sports quota, and the overall selection mechanics. He also referenced a First Information Report (FIR) linked to the alleged irregularities, postulating that the investigation necessitated a comprehensive scope rather than focusing on isolated events.

Following the arguments presented, the Andhra Pradesh High Court scheduled the next hearing for three weeks hence, indicating that the matter warrants further scrutiny. The outcome of this litigation could significantly influence the transparency and integrity of recruitment processes in the state.

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