The probe into alleged irregularities in the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) recruitment examinations has intensified. The crime branch has alleged that 45 questions in the Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector recruitment exam were copied exactly from the online study material. A case has been registered against unknown officials of the commission in this matter. Apart from this, allegations of malpractice and favoritism in the recruitment of Fisheries Department, Khadi Board, Village Oil Inspectorate and State Planning Board are also being investigated. The scope of the probe has been widened after errors related to evaluation in the State Planning Board examination came to light.
According to officials, the case was registered on Friday on the complaint of Rahul Raj, a resident of Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district. The complaint has accused unidentified officials of the Kerala PSC of malpractices in the recruitment process. According to the FIR, 45 questions asked in the Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector exam are claimed to have been taken equally from platforms like Scamveda online study materials and Sanfoundry.com.
Allegation of selection of ineligible candidates and alteration of recruitment rules
Besides, there are also allegations of including candidates who do not meet the prescribed physical standards in the recruitment process and changing the eligibility criteria before the last date of application. The complaint stated that due to these irregularities, ineligible candidates were selected in the rank list announced on September 2, 2024 and eligible candidates were deprived of employment opportunities. The case has been registered under various sections of Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act.
Recruitment of fisheries department is also under scrutiny
The Crime Branch has made PSC chairman, members and officials accused in another case related to the recruitment of Fisheries Extension Officer posts in the Fisheries Department. The case relates to a notification issued in August 2020, alleging that some candidates were given unfair advantage in the rank list published on 28 November 2022. The list was valid till 28 November 2025.
Evaluation Deficiency in State Planning Board Exam
The probe agency has also launched an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Khadi Board and Village Oil Inspectors. A flaw in the On Screen Marking (OSM) system in the State Planning Board recruitment examination came to light. Due to which a total of 58 marks of 10 descriptive questions of Arthashastra were not allocated to the correct evaluators and the answer sheet could not be evaluated. Following the complaint, a revaluation was carried out, with Shyam Krishna, who was placed third earlier, finishing first, while Arun J Pradeep, who was placed first, came fifth.
Two officers arrested, investigation underway
The state government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Crime Branch to probe the case. Two PSC officials have been arrested during the investigation. The team has also questioned the chairman of the commission MR Baiju and other members. The scope of the probe has now been widened to include alleged irregularities in other recruitment examinations of the commission.
