Manju Sharma Resigns From RPSC After High Court Flags Integrity Breach in 2021 SI Recruitment Exam

In a major development that has reignited concerns over recruitment transparency in Rajasthan, Manju Sharma—member of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) and wife of poet Kumar Vishwas—has resigned from her post following scathing observations by the Rajasthan High Court. The court, in its August 28 order, stated that Sharma and several other commission members had “compromised the integrity” of the 2021 Sub Inspector (SI) recruitment exam through their alleged involvement or knowledge of paper leaks and interview irregularities.

Sharma submitted her resignation to Governor Haribhau Bagade on September 2, 2025, citing damage to her personal reputation and the dignity of the commission. While she denied any wrongdoing and clarified that no investigation or charges were pending against her, she said she was stepping down “in favour of purity in public life”.

🧭 Timeline of Events Leading to Manju Sharma’s Resignation

The High Court’s decision to cancel the entire recruitment process has sent shockwaves across Rajasthan’s administrative and political circles, with calls for deeper reforms in the functioning of the RPSC.

🔍 What the High Court Said: Integrity Breach and Systemic Corruption

In its detailed order, the Rajasthan High Court observed that several RPSC members—including Manju Sharma, Babu Lal Katara, Ramuram Raika, Sangeeta Arya, Jaswant Rathi, and Chairman Sanjay Shrotiya—had either actively participated in or were aware of the paper leak and manipulation of interview outcomes.

The court described the conduct of the commission as a “betrayal of public trust,” stating that the sanctity of the examination was not compromised by external actors alone, but by insiders entrusted with safeguarding the process.

📉 Manju Sharma’s Resignation Letter: Key Excerpts

In her resignation letter, Sharma wrote:

“I have spent my entire working and personal life working with utmost transparency and honesty, but due to a controversy that arose in a recruitment process recently, my personal reputation and the dignity of the entire commission have been affected.”

She further clarified:

“No investigation of any kind is pending against me in any police institution or any investigation agency, nor have I ever been considered an accused in any case… Nevertheless, being always in favour of purity in public life, and considering the dignity, impartiality and transparency of the Commission as paramount, I am voluntarily submitting my resignation from the post of member of Rajasthan Public Service Commission”.

Her resignation has been accepted, and the RPSC is expected to initiate a review of its recruitment protocols.

🔥 Political and Public Reactions

The resignation has sparked renewed calls for transparency in recruitment processes, especially in high-stakes exams like police and civil services.

📦 RPSC’s Recruitment Controversy: A Pattern of Failures?

The 2021 SI recruitment exam is not the first to face scrutiny. Over the past five years, RPSC has been embroiled in multiple controversies involving paper leaks, delayed results, and alleged favoritism.

The cumulative effect of these controversies has eroded public trust in the commission, prompting demands for structural reforms and third-party audits.

🧠 Expert Commentary and Legal Perspectives

Legal experts have emphasized the need for a transparent recruitment ecosystem, with biometric verification, encrypted question banks, and AI-based evaluation systems.

📌 Conclusion

Manju Sharma’s resignation from the Rajasthan Public Service Commission marks a significant moment in the ongoing battle for integrity in public recruitment. While she maintains her innocence and cites personal dignity as the reason for stepping down, the High Court’s observations point to a deeper malaise within the RPSC. As the state government and judiciary move towards corrective action, the focus must remain on restoring public trust, ensuring fairness, and preventing future breaches in one of India’s most critical recruitment bodies.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available judicial observations and media reports as of September 3, 2025. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, political, or investigative advice.