Sangeeta Arya: Former RPSC Member in the Spotlight Again Amid ACB Probe

Jaipur: Sangeeta Arya, who recently resigned from her position as a member of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC), is once again making headlines. Her name first surfaced two years ago during an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) sting operation involving Congress leader Gopal Kesawat, who was caught allegedly accepting bribes from candidates with the help of intermediaries.

Arya, a former Congress leader, had been appointed as an RPSC member in October 2020 on the recommendation of then-Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Her term was supposed to last until October 2026, but she resigned nearly a year early, amid renewed scrutiny of recruitment irregularities.

During the previous tenure, the Rajasthan High Court had raised questions about alleged irregularities in recruitment exams, including paper leaks and manipulation, involving six RPSC members, including the former chairman and other members. Actions were directed against the officials, and in the aftermath, some, including Dr. Manju Sharma, had already resigned. Sangeeta Arya’s resignation adds to this ongoing controversy.

Arya had also contested the 2013 Sojat Assembly elections from Pali district on a Congress ticket but was unsuccessful. Her political connections reportedly facilitated her appointment to the RPSC, with the former Congress government accommodating her in the bureaucracy. Her husband, Niranjan Arya, is a former Rajasthan Chief Secretary and continued as an advisor to Ashok Gehlot after retirement.

The ACB had summoned Arya for questioning on November 10, 2025, in connection with the Kesawat case, in which candidates were allegedly promised favorable results by manipulating OMR sheets and interview scores. Arya reportedly did not appear for questioning, citing health reasons and requested a 15-day extension, but failed to appear again. Her resignation from RPSC comes amid this renewed scrutiny and ongoing ACB investigation.

The case has reignited discussions about accountability and transparency in Rajasthan’s recruitment processes, highlighting the continuing intersection of politics and bureaucracy in the state.