Kerala PSC recruitment controversy escalates as judicial proceedings unfold

In a significant controversy surrounding the Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC), the recruitment process for the position of Chief (Industry and Infrastructure Division) at the State Planning Board has drawn scrutiny due to alleged evaluation irregularities. The examination in question was conducted in July 2023, but it was only in May 2025 that the rank list was published. A subsequent challenge was raised when a candidate discovered that answers to 10 questions, totaling 58 marks, had not been evaluated in the 100-mark descriptive exam. This revelation sparked a wave of scrutiny regarding the integrity of the evaluation process [1].

The situation escalated further with a development in Kerala High Court proceedings reported on September 28, 2026. The court's division bench directed that the PSC's petition, which seeks to quash the FIR filed by the Crime Branch and the subsequent prosecution sanction from the government, be numbered and reviewed by a single bench. This petition pertains to the same controversy surrounding the Planning Board chief position, following initial objections regarding the maintainability of the appeal [2].

Initial inquiries into the claims arose from a complaint submitted by a candidate, prompting the PSC to undertake a preliminary investigation in June 2026. This inquiry revealed that one question had not been evaluated in 177 answer scripts, and nine questions were unmarked on all 228 scripts. With the internal vigilance officer confirming these findings, the PSC initiated corrective measures which were eventually approved by the Kerala Administrative Tribunal [3].

On July 29, 2026, the state government issued a prosecution sanction under the Prevention of Corruption Act, which led to the Crime Branch filing a case. This FIR alleges violations under both the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The PSC responded to this development by challenging the validity of the FIR and the prosecution sanction, arguing that the commission is an autonomous body and that the evaluation omissions were merely inadvertent errors, not indications of misconduct [3].

However, the investigation has since broadened, with independent reports in late July and September suggesting a more serious breach than an administrative oversight. The New Indian Express noted that investigators are probing potential sabotage of the evaluation process along with illegal financial transactions related to the recruitment [4]. Additionally, reports indicate that the Special Investigation Team (SIT), engaged in the probe, is considering the removal of two officials from the Planning Board and has confirmed violations related to the 58-mark evaluation issue [4].

The PSC's response thus far has reflected the gravity of the allegations. After discovering the evaluation discrepancies, the commission ordered an internal vigilance inquiry and a fresh assessment of the incorrectly marked answers. The PSC subsequently moved to cancel the existing rank list and replace it with a revised list reflecting the newly evaluated scores. In its efforts to address the situation fully, the PSC is seeking a comprehensive review of whether the issues arose from human error, intentional manipulation, or misconduct by officials [5].

Further complicating the matter, it has been reported that Arun J. Prathap, the rank-list topper, had already been appointed to the Chief of the Industry and Infrastructure Division prior to the rank list's cancellation, intensifying the sensitivity and legal ramifications of this ongoing case [1].

As the High Court continues to deliberate over the PSC's challenges against the FIR and prosecution sanction, questions loom about the potential severity of the situation, including the possibility of it being classified as blatant corruption. Although specific phrases from court hearings weren't found in recent reports, it is evident that the ramifications of the evaluations gone awry are being treated with utmost seriousness by all parties involved, and the proceedings are ongoing [2].

Sources

• [1] What is the Kerala PSC evaluation controversy? Rank list scrapped after unevaluated answer scripts surface - The Times of India
• [2] Exam ‘irregularities’: Kerala HC tells its registry to place PSC’s plea before single bench | Kochi News - The Times of India
• [3] KPSC moves Kerala HC against Crime Branch FIR, prosecution sanction over exam irregularities | Kerala High Court | Onmanorama
• [4] PSC sabotaged exam evaluation process in Kerala, SIT probe reveals
• [5] Kerala PSC orders vigilance probe after 10 answers go unevaluated in recruitment test | Kerala News in English | Onmanorama

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