Early life & Education
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Name: Dr. Sangeeta Arya (RPSC)
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Academic Qualifications: She holds a Ph.D. in Music, along with an M.A. in Music and an M.A. in Philosophy. (interview-edge.in)
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Before joining RPSC, she served as an Assistant Professor in the College Education Department, which reflects her academic background in higher education. (interview-edge.in)
Thus, Dr. Arya’s career began in academia — teaching and scholarly work, especially in music and philosophy — before she shifted to a role in public service at the state level.
Entry into RPSC & Career Trajectory
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On 14 October 2020, Dr. Sangeeta Arya was appointed as a Member of RPSC. (RPSC)
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As a member of RPSC, she became part of the commission tasked with recruiting for various government positions across Rajasthan — ranging from lecturers, teachers, engineers, judicial services, to police sub-inspectors, and other posts under the commission’s ambit. (Wikipedia)
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Her term as RPSC member is valid for six years (or until she attains 62 years of age, whichever comes first). (RPSC)
Thus, since 2020, she has moved from academia to a pivotal administrative position, influencing public recruitment and examinations across Rajasthan.
Besides her administrative role, she has also dabbled in electoral politics: she contested an assembly election as a candidate from the constituency Sojat on a ticket of Indian National Congress (INC), though she did not win. (rajpcc.com)
Her husband is Niranjan Arya, a former Chief Secretary of Rajasthan. (The BuckStopper)
Controversies & Allegations
Since she became a member of RPSC, Dr. Sangeeta Arya’s tenure has been marked by significant controversy, mainly relating to alleged corruption and misconduct in recruitment processes under RPSC. Below is a chronological summary:
🕵️ ACB Search and Interrogation (March 2024)
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In March 2024, her residence was raided by a team of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jaipur. (The BuckStopper)
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The ACB conducted a closed-door interrogation of Dr. Arya for more than two hours, in connection with alleged bribery in the selection process for Executive Officer (EO) recruitment exams. (The Times of India)
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The investigation also looked into possible links between Dr. Arya and a Congress leader, Gopal Kesavat, who was arrested in July 2023 for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹ 18.50 lakh for influencing the EO exam result. (The Times of India)
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During the raid, the ACB reportedly seized computer hard drives and documents from her residence, though the ACB did not immediately confirm what material was taken. (The Times of India)
This action raised serious questions about the integrity of the recruitment process under RPSC and Dr. Arya’s role therein.
Wider Allegations in 2021 SI Recruitment Paper-Leak and Institutional Corruption (2024–2025)
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The 2021 recruitment exam for Sub-Inspector (SI) by RPSC was later annulled by the Rajasthan High Court, which condemned widespread corruption, including paper leaks and interview-stage manipulation. (The Times of India)
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In its verdict (August 2025), the court alleged that several members of RPSC — including Dr. Sangeeta Arya — were aware of the malpractice and remained silent. (The Times of India)
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The court described such connivance as “active participation” and “systemic corruption,” damaging public trust in the institution’s fairness. (The Indian Express)
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As a result, many aspirants demanded reforms and stricter accountability mechanisms within RPSC. The controversy put Dr. Arya’s professional reputation under intense scrutiny. (The Times of India)
Recent Developments (2025): Clean-Chit by ACB & Legal Battle
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On 1 August 2025, the ACB reportedly gave a clean chit to Dr. Sangeeta Arya (and another RPSC member, Manju Sharma) in the bribery case related to EO recruitment. The ACB said that it found no evidence of their collusion in the case. (First India)
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Despite this, the stain on the institutional integrity of RPSC remains, especially due to the High Court’s earlier comments about her alleged inaction. (The Times of India)
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More recently (November 2025), Dr. Arya reportedly sought 15 days’ time from ACB to appear in connection with further questioning regarding the EO recruitment bribery case. (The Times of India)
Thus, by late 2025, although she avoided formal charges (as per ACB closure report), public and judicial perception remains mixed. The legal and reputational battle continues — including her filing a petition in the Rajasthan High Court (on 27 October 2025) to expunge the adverse remarks made against her by a single-bench in the 2021 SI exam paper leak case. (The Times of India)
Role & Responsibilities in RPSC
As a member of RPSC, Dr. Arya participates in various key decision-making and administrative processes, including:
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Designing and overseeing recruitment examinations and interview panels across multiple departments and cadres — from teaching posts to police recruitment, judicial services, and more. (Wikipedia)
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Ensuring fairness and transparency in the selection process (though controversies have challenged the effectiveness).
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Contributing to policy decisions, candidate scrutiny, eligibility verification, and final appointments.
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Representing the commission in public forums, media statements (when required), and legal or administrative proceedings, as seen during the ACB questioning and subsequent legal events.
Given her academic background and her previous experience as a college-level educator, she also symbolised a bridge between academia and public service recruitment — a profile that originally added credibility to her appointment.
Public Perception & Impact
Dr. Sangeeta Arya’s career reflects a trajectory from academia to a powerful administrative post, with significant opportunities to influence public recruitment across Rajasthan. However, public perception of her has been deeply affected by recurring controversies surrounding the integrity of RPSC’s examination processes.
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For aspirants and job-seekers, especially those impacted by cancelled or annulled exams (like the 2021 SI exam), her name became closely associated with allegations of nepotism and institutional failure.
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On the other hand, recent developments — particularly the clean chit by ACB — provide her and supporters some relief, though the judicial verdicts and media scrutiny continue to revive doubts.
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Her decision to approach the High Court to expunge remarks against her suggests she intends to protect her personal reputation and contest the narrative of culpability.
Thus, Dr. Arya’s public image is complex: once seen as a credentialed academic entrusted with a critical public office — now at the centre of institutional controversy, with a mixed legacy.
Why Her Profile Matters
Understanding Dr. Sangeeta Arya’s journey is important because:
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The credibility of public institutions like RPSC is vital for fair governance. When senior members are under suspicion, it affects thousands of aspirants and erodes trust in merit-based recruitment.
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Her dual identity — as an academician and a public official — highlights tensions in Indian governance where political affiliations and bureaucratic oversight intersect.
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The ongoing legal and media scrutiny around her raises broader questions about accountability mechanisms within recruitment bodies, checks and balances in public recruitment, and need for reforms.
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The developments around her case are indicative of changing dynamics — increased vigilance by anti-corruption agencies, public and judicial demand for transparency, and attempts by accused to reclaim reputational ground.
Top Interesting Facts about Dr. Sangeeta Arya
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She comes from an academic background with a strong focus on music and philosophy, which is relatively uncommon for members of a civil-service recruitment body. (RPSC)
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Her appointment to RPSC in 2020 brought a woman with scholarly credentials (Ph.D. in music) into a powerful administrative role — underlining representation of women and academic professionals in public appointments.
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She once contested an assembly election from Sojat (on INC ticket) before joining RPSC — showing her engagement with electoral politics besides bureaucratic service. (rajpcc.com)
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Her husband is a former Chief Secretary of Rajasthan, which adds to public interest in her profile and scrutiny. (The BuckStopper)
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Despite being under investigation by ACB, she (as of August 2025) received a clean chit in the bribery case — showing that legal processes do not necessarily conclude in criminal culpability. (First India)
FAQs about Dr. Sangeeta Arya
Q1: What are Dr. Sangeeta Arya’s educational qualifications?
A: She holds a Ph.D. in Music and M.A. degrees in both Music and Philosophy. (interview-edge.in)
Q2: When did she become a member of RPSC?
A: She took charge as a member of RPSC on 14 October 2020. (RPSC)
Q3: Has she ever contested elections?
A: Yes — she contested the assembly election from Sojat on an INC ticket before joining RPSC, but lost. (rajpcc.com)
Q4: Why was she under investigation by ACB in 2024?
A: The ACB raided her house and questioned her in connection with alleged bribery in the Executive Officer (EO) selection exam — involving a bribery case with arrested leader Gopal Kesavat. (The Times of India)
Q5: What was the outcome of the investigation?
A: In August 2025, ACB reportedly gave a clean chit to Dr. Arya (and another RPSC member) stating no evidence of collusion was found. (First India)
Q6: Does that mean all allegations against her are cleared?
A: Legally, the bribery case seems closed in her favour, but there remain serious reputational and judicial concerns: the High Court’s remarks regarding the 2021 SI exam paper-leak included her among members alleged to have known about malpractice. (The Times of India)
Q7: What is her larger significance in Rajasthan's public service context?
A: As a woman with an academic background serving on RPSC, Dr. Arya represents a bridge between education and administrative recruitment. Her tenure and associated controversies reflect larger challenges of institutional transparency, governance, and public trust in exam-based recruitment systems.
Concluding Thoughts
Dr. Sangeeta Arya’s journey from an academic specializing in music and philosophy to becoming a member of one of Rajasthan’s most powerful administrative bodies reflects both opportunity and risk. Her appointment to the RPSC carried potential — bringing scholarly perspective and perhaps a degree of reform-mindedness to the recruitment process. However, the repeated allegations of corruption and malpractice tied to her tenure have also made her a symbol of systemic issues within public recruitment.
The fact that she received a clean chit from the ACB in 2025 does offer her personal relief, but as long as trust in the institution remains wounded and judicial scrutiny persists, the shadow of controversy around her will likely continue. Her case underscores how essential institutional integrity is, especially in public examinations that affect the aspirations of tens of thousands of candidates.

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