KPSC exam row: Govt orders scrutiny as candidates flag serious irregularities

Bengaluru: Amid mounting allegations of irregularities in recent Karnataka Public Service Commission examination and its selection process, home minister G Parameshwara Wednesday said the govt would examine the issue and take required action. He indicated it would be better if KPSC itself resolves issues quickly. The row centres on recently announced results for KPSC mains exams for 384 Gazetted Probationers Group A and B posts. Candidates have been shortlisted for the interview stage.
Questions over transparency arose after some aspirants alleged that some 15 candidates with consecutive serial numbers, who took exams in the same room, had cleared it. In some cases, candidates from the same family were also declared successful. "There have been complaints against KPSC and KEA (Karnataka Examinations Authority)," Parameshwara said. "All agencies that conduct exams face complaints in one way or another. This time, if complaints are as serious as alleged, we will step in and ensure a fair system for candidates." Noting that complaints about the KPSC recruitment process have surfaced for several years, he said, "Several steps have been taken. The govt and CM have spoken to in-charge officials and changed the secretaries and the system. Despite this, if such things happen, someone specific — the secretary or the chairman — must take responsibility. When the govt has decided to carry out about 56,000 recruitments, some of the processes will go to KEA and some to KPSC. Such confusion should not exist, and recruitments must happen in a just and transparent manner." Alleging irregularities and massive corruption in the recruitment process, some applicants have demanded results to be withheld and a fair probe. They said that without a proper probe, it would be unjust to honest candidates. Opposition BJP has also decided to raise the issue during the upcoming assembly session. Retired IPS officer and BJP functionary Bhaskar Rao expressed concern, warning that repeated lapses could erode public trust in the state's key recruitment body. In a social media post, Rao described the reports as a sign of moral decline in governance. He said competitive exams like KAS should serve as a transparent process to assess merit and talent, but repeated question paper leaks, evaluation malpractices, and recruitment corruption are undermining confidence among youth. Rao added that these irregularities are not merely cases of job theft, but attacks on the future administrative machinery of the state. He said the failures extend beyond KPSC, citing systemic negligence, lack of political will and weak enforcement of anti-corruption measures as reasons for ongoing malpractice. "Millions of poor and middle-class candidates, who dedicate years of preparation to these exams, are the primary victims," he said. Rao urged the govt to undertake urgent structural reforms, including professionalising KPSC along the lines of Union Public Service Commission, digitising examinations to reduce human interference, and ensuring strict punishment for offenders. This is the second time BJP has raised such allegations. Last year, the party had campaigned in support of KPSC aspirants who alleged question paper leaks and corruption in recruitments. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !