The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is once again in the spotlight after a bizarre claim surfaced online, alleging that a candidate for the SSC Stenographer Grade ‘C’ and ‘D’ Examination 2025 was assigned an exam centre in Pakistan. The viral post, widely circulated on Instagram, has raised eyebrows and triggered heated discussions, even though experts have called the claim suspicious.

The Viral Claim

A video posted by the Instagram handle ‘SSCwala’ shows what appears to be an SSC admit card listing an examination centre in Pakistan. The clip quickly caught the attention of netizens, many of whom expressed shock, amusement, and criticism towards the commission. For an organisation already facing accusations of negligence in exam conduct, this viral episode has only added to its troubles.

As of now, the SSC has not issued any official statement addressing the viral video. However, multiple experts have suggested that the claim could be the result of either a technical glitch or a fabricated screenshot.

Facts vs. Rumours

According to official SSC data available on its website, the 2025 Stenographer Grade ‘C’ and ‘D’ examination was held between August 6 and August 8 across 157 centres in 85 cities within India. More than 3.5 lakh candidates appeared for the exam. The SSC allocates centres only in nine regions within India — Northern Region (NR), Western Region (WR), Central Region (CR), Eastern Region (ER), North Eastern Region (NER), Southern Region (SR), Karnataka-Kerala Region (KKR), Madhya Pradesh Region (MPR), and North Western Region (NWR).

This means that officially, no centre outside India — let alone in Pakistan — was assigned.

Social Media Reactions

Despite doubts over the authenticity of the viral screenshot, social media had a field day. The video received thousands of views within hours, and #SSCVendorFailure began trending. Users shared memes and jokes, with one commenting, “Now we’ll have to take Sunny Deol along for the exam,” referencing the Bollywood actor famous for patriotic roles. Another wrote, “Maybe SSC is conducting exams in Akhand Bharat,” while a third joked, “Perhaps SSC wants a world tour and some intelligence from Pakistan.”

Some users speculated that the name “Pakistan” could refer to a village in India. For example, there is a village named Pakistan in Purnia district’s Srinagar block under Singhia panchayat in Bihar. Others suggested that it might be the result of a glitch in the centre allocation software ‘Eduquity.’

Expert Opinions

Education experts and exam analysts have been quick to label the claim as “highly unlikely.” They point out that such screenshots can easily be fabricated, either by tech-savvy pranksters or hackers. “These things can go viral because they are shocking and funny, but in reality, there are strict protocols for SSC’s centre allocation,” said one recruitment expert.

They also note that, in previous instances, fake admit cards have been circulated online purely for entertainment or to stir controversy.

The Bigger Picture

The SSC has faced criticism in recent years for technical glitches, delays in result announcements, and alleged irregularities in examination conduct. Even if this Pakistan centre claim turns out to be false, the incident highlights how quickly misinformation can spread and damage public trust in recruitment bodies.

Conclusion

While the viral admit card showing an SSC exam centre in Pakistan has grabbed headlines, available facts suggest it is either a hoax or a technical error. Until SSC issues an official clarification, candidates and the public are advised to rely on authentic updates from the official SSC website (ssc.gov.in) and not on unverified social media posts.