Bluetooth devices used: Punjab pharmacy exam aspirant alleges massive security lapses

A petitioner has alleged Bluetooth-assisted cheating and major security lapses in Punjab's pharmacy officer recruitment exam. The claims have intensified a court battle that has already stalled 454 appointments and raised wider concerns over transparency.The petitioner said thousands of genuine aspirants had lost confidence in the recruitment process due to repeated allegations of paper leaks. (File Photo: ITG)A petitioner challenging the Punjab government's recruitment of 454 pharmacy officers has alleged serious lapses in the conduct of the examination, claiming candidates used Bluetooth devices and a pen camera to facilitate cheating while authorities failed to implement adequate security measures.In an exclusive conversation with India Today Digital, Keshav, one of the petitioners in the case, claimed the alleged malpractice pointed to a "complete system failure" and accused the Punjab government of attempting to downplay the controversy instead of accepting responsibility.The allegations come amid an ongoing legal battle over the recruitment process.The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently stayed the appointment of 454 pharmacy officers and recruitment for Block Programme Managers and Cluster Coordinators after petitions raised concerns over alleged cheating, irregularities and lack of transparency in the evaluation process. 'POLICE REACHED CENTRE ONLY AFTER EXAMS WERE OVER'Speaking to India Today Digital, Keshav alleged that candidates were asked to report at 8 am, but were allowed to enter the examination centre only around 10 am.He claimed security checks at the entrance were inadequate, with only a handful of candidates being frisked before most were allowed inside. According to him, police reached the examination centre only after the examination had concluded and OMR sheets had been collected. He alleged that officers later apprehended two to three candidates after Bluetooth devices were recovered from their possession.Keshav further alleged that members of an interstate cheating racket used a pen-shaped camera to photograph the question paper and send the images via WhatsApp to Bhiwani in Haryana. He claimed answers were then prepared and relayed back to candidates through Bluetooth devices.Questioning the Punjab government's handling of the examination, Keshav told India Today Digital that authorities had failed to install jammer systems that could have disrupted Bluetooth communication and prevented the question paper from being transmitted outside the examination centre.He also alleged that members of the cheating racket may have been present inside the examination centre and claimed several candidates who allegedly cheated were yet to be identified.'A COMPLETE SYSTEM FAILURE'Calling it a "complete system failure", Keshav urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains to accept responsibility and ensure a fair investigation. He alleged that despite collecting more than Rs 1.70 crore in examination fees, authorities failed to put adequate safeguards in place to prevent malpractice.The petitioner said thousands of genuine aspirants had lost confidence in the recruitment process due to repeated allegations of paper leaks and irregularities. He told India Today Digital that he had approached the High Court seeking justice and demanded a thorough and impartial investigation to protect the future of students.The Punjab government has not publicly responded to these specific allegations. The matter is currently pending before the Punjab and Haryana High Court.- EndsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Aug 14, 2026 17:47 IST