Published Sep 07, 2026 | 9:43 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 07, 2026 | 9:43 PM
SAAP MD Bharani IFS and Education Department Commissioner Tamim Ansaria IAS.
Synopsis: Andhra Pradesh government officials have defended the Mega DSC recruitment process amid allegations of fake sports certificates, TET irregularities and reservation violations. An inquiry is underway, while SAAP said certificates cited in a PIL were being examined. The government may introduce mandatory skill tests for future sports-quota recruitments.
Amid allegations of irregularities in sports-quota recruitment under the Andhra Pradesh Mega DSC, the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) has said a skill test could be introduced for selected candidates if the High Court directs one. The Education Department, meanwhile, said it is investigating the complaints.
SAAP MD S. Bharani said that a skill test would be conducted for candidates who secured jobs if such a direction is issued by the HC, which is hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the issue.
She also said the government would consider making a skill test mandatory for all future recruitments under the sports policy.
Education Department Commissioner Tamim Ansaria stated that an inquiry is being conducted into the allegations. She said the Revenue Department is examining certificates in connection with allegations of irregularities in the EWS reservations.
Ansaria and Bharani made the remarks during a joint press conference on Monday, September 7.
Commissioner Tamim Ansaria said that verified facts had been brought out in every case where allegations were raised.
An inquiry is being conducted into every allegation relating to the Mega DSC, she said, adding that strict departmental action would be taken if any irregularities are established.
Bharani maintained that the recruitment process had been conducted properly and said there was no justification for unnecessarily troubling teachers who had already secured employment.
She said sports recruitment was carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and that the appointments were made following the central government’s guidelines.
Regarding allegations that some Judo certificates were not genuine, Bharani said their authenticity had to be certified by the concerned sports associations.
She said that when recruitment was being undertaken through SAAP for the Mega DSC, grievances were invited and accepted until August 4, 2025.
Bharani stated that certificates mentioned in the PIL are being examined, while adding that it was not possible for SAAP to independently verify all the documents. She pointed out that SAAP does not have databases containing certificates issued before the bifurcation of the state.
She said steps would be taken in future to make all sports certificates available online to facilitate verification.
Bharani said allegations had also been raised earlier regarding recruitment in MBBS, the Animal Husbandry Department and GSWS, and that inquiries were being conducted into those matters as well.
Also Read: Fake claims, fraud certificates, plump jobs: Mega foul play in Andhra Pradesh DSC’s sports quota
Responding to allegations regarding the case in Kurnool where a husband and wife secured jobs through sports quota under the same category, Bharani pointed out there was no rule prohibiting both spouses from participating in the same sport.
She acknowledged that doubts had been raised regarding their local status, but said that the authenticity of their certificates has been confirmed.
Bharani explained that each sports federation has its own rules and that SAAP has no role in determining the internal rules of individual associations. If an association permits a sportsperson to participate, the athlete can compete irrespective of where they come from, she said.
Responding to the row concerning boxer Pedda Appalaraju, who secured a job under the sports quota, Bharani noted that he had participated in national-level boxing competitions and said making allegations against such a sportsperson amounted to insulting athletes.
According to Bharani, incorrect spelling of his name in the certificate was the result of a typing error.
On the allegations surrounding 40-year-old Konada Padmaja, who secured a job under the sports quota, Bharani said there was no rule prohibiting participation in sports at that age.
She said the authenticity of the certificate submitted by Padmaja had been confirmed.
Also Read: Foul play in recruitment: Paying the price for ignoring SAAP — a breeding ground for irregularities
Education Commissioner Tamim Ansaria said passing the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) is mandatory for teachers and that the Andhra Pradesh government had issued an order to this effect.
For TET eligibility, she said candidates in the OC category must secure 90 marks out of 150, BC candidates must secure 75 marks, while SC, ST and PH candidates must secure 60 marks.
Regarding allegations against Prabhakar Goud of Kurnool, who secured a teaching job at a Model Primary School allegedly without clearing TET, the Commissioner said he belongs to the BC community.
The Commissioner claimed he had appeared for TET on different occasions and secured 77 marks in one of the examinations, which made him eligible for the appointment.
She said a committee is currently examining whether the marks claimed by him were valid and that appropriate action would be taken based on the committee’s report. The Commissioner said inquiries are being conducted into allegations regarding other candidates flagged by the PIL.
Ansaria also responded to allegations that several candidates appointed under the sports quota had been posted to the same school.
She said 45 candidates had been appointed as SGTs in Kurnool district. Since teacher shortages were particularly severe in backward areas of the district, 22 of them were posted in Kauthalam mandal, she explained.
The Education Commissioner warned that cases would be registered against anyone harassing teachers in the name of investigating irregularities in the DSC recruitment.
She said a case had already been registered after media representatives allegedly went to a school and behaved aggressively with Chakrapani Reddy, a retired havaldar.
She made it clear that complaints should be submitted to the government through the proper channels and warned that strict action would be taken against anyone who goes to schools and creates disturbances.
If anyone has doubts regarding the recruitment process, they should submit a complaint to the government, she said. The government would not tolerate conduct that damages the dignity and reputation of teachers in front of students.
She also advised teachers who face harassment to immediately bring the matter to the notice of the Education Department.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
