Aptech

Blacklisting Controversy

Aptech Limited was blacklisted in May 2019 for three years by the Uttar Pradesh government after being found involved in fraud and irregularities while conducting recruitment exams for government posts. The company's involvement in alleged scams in other states including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Assam has been documented, with several government recruitment and eligibility exams marred by paper leaks and procedural violations.[3]

Regulatory Penalty

In 2021, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) fined Aptech ₹1 crore for violations of insider trading regulations.[4][5]

Railway Exam Paper Leak

In January 2021, Aptech Limited allegated of involvement in the leakage of question papers and answers for the General Departmental Competitive Examination conducted by the Railway Recruitment Centre in Mumbai.[6]

According to a First Information Report filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation, Aptech, which had been appointed as the exam conducting agency, was accused of conspiring to provide candidates with advance access to question papers in exchange for payments ranging between ₹2 lakh and ₹5 lakh.[7][8]

The investigation suggested that some candidates viewed the papers beforehand at a hotel and received assistance from intermediaries described as exam experts. Reports also indicated that exam results circulated through unofficial WhatsApp links prior to their formal release.[9]

The CBI initiated searches across multiple locations, naming 15 accused individuals, including railway employees, a CRPF officer, and persons associated with Aptech Limited.[10][11]