Assessment Firms with Murky Records Continue to Secure Contracts Despite Controversies

Imagine spending years preparing for a job exam, only to discover that the process was flawed from the start. India has seen many such cases over the years, including those where assessment agencies were granted exam contracts despite their questionable pasts.

Two assessment firms, Eduquity Technologies and Satvat Infosol Pvt Ltd, were earlier given contracts by the National Testing Agency (NTA) despite their murky records. Eduquity, founded in 2000, has been involved in several paper leak and cheating cases. In 2020, it was blacklisted by the Central Directorate General of Training from conducting any exams, but it continued to secure contracts to hold exams in different states. In March 2022, Eduquity was contracted to conduct the Madhya Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test, which was marred by cheating issues. The firm was also hired by the NTA to conduct computer-based tests, despite its previous accusations.

Satvat Infosol Pvt Ltd, founded in 1999, has also secured several contracts despite a CBI FIR and a shady track record. The company was blacklisted by the ONGC and National Testing Agency for a period of two and three years, respectively, but continued to secure contracts. In 2022, it conducted exams for UP Police radio operator positions, which faced allegations of cheating using remote access techniques.

Another firm, Aptech, has also been involved in several controversies. Started in 1986 as a computer training institute, Aptech evolved and began offering animation, multimedia, and English training courses. It has around 1,300 centres in countries such as Russia, Nigeria, Mexico, and the Philippines. Despite its credibility being under cloud, Aptech continued to secure contracts. In 2016, it was involved in irregularities in the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam recruitment exam, and in 2021, it was hired by the Rajasthan government to conduct the Rajasthan Police Constable recruitment, but six were arrested for cheating at one of the centres.

NSEIT Limited, a subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange of India, has also been involved in controversies. In 2017, it conducted the UP Police sub-inspector recruitment exam, but there were allegations of remote access cheating at an exam centre in Agra. In 2020, the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board terminated its contract due to the firm’s alleged dubious activities and flawed conduct.

MeritTrac Services Private Limited, a Bengaluru-based firm, has been blacklisted twice over alleged irregularities. In 2017, the results of exams for a few courses at the Mumbai University were delayed due to irregularities in the online assessment carried out by the company. In 2022, a paper leak led to the cancellation of J&K service selection board recruitment exams.

Sanchit Sharma, a 29-year-old government job aspirant, said paper leaks are the “new normal”, having experienced delay in two exams he sat for. Nishant Singh, a 28-year-old from Lucknow, said, “I don’t understand why a blacklisted company gets the tender again. Who are the people awarding these tenders? A blacklisted company can’t get a tender without some irregularity.”

When asked for comment, Aptech said the company has “a long-standing reputation for integrity and reliability, with no incidents of fraudulent practices or paper leaks involving our employees”. The company claimed that its stringent security protocols and transparent practices have earned it the trust of government organisations and educational institutions.

Newslaundry reached out to all the companies mentioned in the report to seek their comment on the accusations they have faced. This copy will be updated if a response is received from the four other firms.