A Tale of Greed and Cynicism

Jobs-for-sale scams and bribes for admissions to educational institutions are too commonplace in India to elicit little more than perfunctory media attention. However, the Vyapam (Madhya Pradesh Vyavsayik Pariksha Mandal) scam involving the state’s board for professional examinations and recruitment to government jobs boggles even a scam-hardened imagination. A number of witnesses and accused have died in mysterious circumstances and allegations have been levelled at the highest in the state, including the Chief Minister and the Governor of the state.

The scam involved posts of contractual teachers and police constables, among many others, and the premedical test (PMT) that determines admissions to medical colleges. Many of those who paid bribes to secure these jobs or admissions had taken loans or mortgaged property. It does not need any investigation to work out how those who have paid such bribes would conduct themselves in their careers and treat the public.