BK Singh
Prayagraj – The ugly shadow of impersonation, popularly dubbed as the “Munna Bhai” style cheating, once again marred the sanctity of competitive examinations.
On Sunday, during the Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) held across Uttar Pradesh, two youths were caught red-handed while attempting to appear in place of genuine candidates at examination centers in Prayagraj.
The accused have been identified as Omprakash, a resident of Durg (Chhattisgarh), and Aryan Singh from Ballia. Both were arrested after being caught during biometric verification in the second shift of the PET.
The Cases in Detail
At the K. P. Jaiswal Inter College, Muthiganj, Omprakash initially cleared biometric verification. However, closer scrutiny revealed a shocking fact — he had appeared in another competitive examination two years ago, using a different identity. This discrepancy raised suspicion, and authorities soon discovered he was an impersonator.
Meanwhile, at Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Government Degree College, Naini, Aryan Singh attempted to pass himself off as another candidate.
When his biometric verification failed, authorities grew suspicious. A further search led to the recovery of fake documents and a mobile phone from his possession. After intervention by the static magistrate, he was handed over to the Naini Police.
Based on complaints filed by the static magistrates at both centers, cases have been registered against the two accused, and investigations are underway.
The Larger Problem: A Desperate Race for Jobs
This incident is yet another reminder of how the “Munna Bhai” trend — of hiring or acting as an impersonator to clear crucial examinations — continues to persist, despite strict laws and tight exam security protocols.
While authorities have significantly upgraded examination systems with biometric verification, CCTV surveillance, and digital attendance tracking, determined fraudsters still manage to find loopholes.
These arrests underscore the desperation among unemployed youth, many of whom are willing to risk their future, and even prison terms, in pursuit of scarce government jobs.
At the same time, officials admit that such strict regulatory measures have reduced impersonation cases compared to earlier years, but the menace is far from being eliminated.
Each arrest also serves as a reminder that while the system may be tightening, job scarcity, economic pressures, and cut-throat competition continue to fuel such malpractices.
The Prayagraj PET incident demonstrates both sides of the coin — strict vigilance is catching fraudsters, yet the very existence of such attempts reflects a deeper socio-economic crisis.
Until sustainable employment opportunities expand and awareness grows, the Munna Bhai-style exam cheating is unlikely to vanish completely.
The “Munna Bhai” Phenomenon in Indian Exams
The term “Munna Bhai” impersonation owes its popularity to the Bollywood blockbuster Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003), where the lead character Sanjay Dutt hires someone to impersonate him in a medical entrance exam.
While fictional and comedic in tone, the idea struck a chord because it mirrored real-world malpractice rampant in India’s competitive exam culture.
Over the years, the term has come to symbolise any case of exam fraud involving impersonators — whether it is for medical and engineering entrances, government job recruitment tests, or eligibility examinations like the PET.
Authorities have since adopted stricter measures:
- Biometric attendance and Aadhaar-linked verification
- CCTV surveillance at exam centres
- AI-based monitoring of exam halls
- Severe penalties, including criminal cases, for impersonators and candidates who hire them
Yet, despite the tightening net, cases continue to surface every year, reflecting the intense competition, unemployment pressures, and the lure of government jobs.
The Prayagraj PET arrests are only the latest in a long chain of incidents, proving that while cinema may have coined the catchy phrase, the “Munna Bhai” trend remains a harsh reality in India’s examination ecosystem.
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