The State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) has officially announced that the Group 5 recruitment examination will now be conducted again on May 24, 2026, after the earlier exam was cancelled following serious allegations of question paper duplication.

The controversy had triggered widespread protests from candidates, who claimed that a large portion of the exam questions had been copied directly from a privately published guidebook.

Why Was the SRPF Exam Cancelled?

According to officials, the original examination scheduled for May 2 had to be postponed and later cancelled after multiple candidates raised concerns over the authenticity of the question paper.

Candidates alleged that:

• Around 85 out of 100 questions
• Along with answer options and sequence
• Matched exactly with a practice paper titled Sarv Prashna 10

The guidebook was reportedly published by a private organization named Maharashtra Publication Academy.

The similarity between the official exam paper and the guidebook created major concerns regarding:

• Fairness of the recruitment process
• Question paper security
• Possible paper leak or duplication

Official Announcement from SRPF

An official communication released by the office of the Deputy Inspector General (DIG), SRPF Pune, confirmed that the examination for candidates under:

• Daund SRPF Group 5

will now be held again on:

• May 24, 2026

The authorities have advised candidates to prepare according to the revised schedule.

Candidates Raised Serious Objections

Following the exam controversy, many aspirants strongly objected to the recruitment process.

Candidates claimed:

• Questions were directly copied
• Multiple answers matched word-for-word
• Entire sequences appeared identical to the guidebook material

The issue quickly spread across social media and student groups, increasing pressure on recruitment authorities.

Recruitment Process Temporarily Halted

After protests and allegations intensified, SRPF authorities decided to:

• Suspend the recruitment process temporarily
• Order an investigation into the matter
• Review the examination process

Officials stated that maintaining transparency and credibility in recruitment is extremely important.

Investigation Status Still Unclear

So far, authorities have not publicly confirmed:

• Whether the investigation has been completed
• If any officials or agencies have been held responsible
• Whether a paper leak actually occurred

No detailed action report has yet been released regarding the allegations.

Fresh Examination to Restore Fairness

The decision to reconduct the examination is being seen as an attempt to:

• Restore confidence among candidates
• Ensure fair competition
• Maintain transparency in recruitment

Thousands of candidates are expected to appear again for the revised examination on May 24.

Important Advice for Candidates

Candidates preparing for the SRPF Group 5 recruitment exam are advised to:

• Regularly check official SRPF notifications
• Carry valid admit cards and identification documents
• Avoid relying on rumors circulating online
• Follow official instructions regarding exam centers and timing

Recruitment Exams Under Greater Scrutiny

In recent years, recruitment examinations across several Indian states have faced increased scrutiny over:

• Paper leak allegations
• Exam security concerns
• Transparency issues

As a result, government agencies and recruitment boards are under growing pressure to strengthen examination systems and maintain public trust.

The upcoming re-examination on May 24 will now be closely watched by candidates and authorities alike.