The BJP-led Uttar Pradesh Government cancelled the TET (Teacher Eligibility Test) examination scheduled on Sunday after the police found that that the question paper had been leaked.

While 26 persons involved in the alleged leak have been arrested, the Opposition parties raised concern over the incident and accused the Government of corruption in such recruitments.

Almost 20 lakh candidates were appearing for the examination, said ADG law and order Prashant Kumar, announcing the cancellation of the examination at a press conference here.

Mr. Kumar said the police had found photo copies of the question paper and messages on WhatsApp displaying it and the answers from some of those apprehended. “The photo copies were shared with the Government and it came to light that these questions were the ones that were in the question paper in the examination,” said Mr. Kumar.

The officer, however, said the question papers had not reached the examination centres on Sunday. The Special Task Force will probe the matter.

“No person or institution involved in this will be spared,” said the officer.

Most of the accused belonged to Prayagraj (16), while in Shamli three persons were arrested with 10 copies of the question paper they had purchased for ₹5 lakh and had taken ₹50,000 from 50-60 candidates to provide them access to it and help them in memorising the questions, said the police.

The main accused was identified as Rajendra Patel of Pratapgarh, who the police said was the kingpin of the gang. Another accused Sunny Singh of Gaya in Bihar provided solvers to the gang from Bihar, alleged the police. A candidate was also arrested in Chitrakoot.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to conduct the TET in a transparent manner within a month. Those found involved in the leak would be slapped with the Gangsters Act and their properties would also be confiscated, Mr. Adityanath said at an event in east U.P.

The Government said the candidates need not fill fresh forms or pay fee again.

The sudden cancellation left the candidates stranded, following which the Government had provided them buses to return to their home districts without any charge.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said the paper leak was akin to messing with the future of 20 lakh unemployed candidates.

Mr. Yadav said U.P. had touched the peak of corruption in education. “Paper leaks and cancellation of examination and results are common things under the BJP Government,” he said.

Demanding a high-level probe, BSP president Mayawati said the Government must ensure strict legal punishment for the culprits, she said.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said corruption was at a peak in U.P. and accused the Yogi Adityanath Government of protecting the “big fish” in cases of paper leak like this one.