5 hrs ago
Karnataka Jobs Scam Allegedly Spanned BJP and Congress Governments
Officials and candidates say some Karnataka government job exams may have been unfairly changed.
They allege that marks were hidden so officials or middlemen could ask strong candidates for money.
They also say some interview scores and exam records were manipulated.
In one veterinary recruitment case, candidates were allegedly given question papers and answer keys before their exams.
Some candidates were reportedly asked to pay as much as Rs 80 lakh for a job.
The allegations cover several years and different recruitment exercises.
Investigators from the state Criminal Investigation Department are examining the claims, and the High Court is hearing related cases.
The BJP government and the later Congress government have both been criticized for failing to stop or act on the warnings.
KPSC says it is planning reforms based on the Union Public Service Commission model.
Internal notes and complaints alleged marks were withheld so top-scoring candidates could be targeted for bribes.
Former officials alleged interview panels, tabulation records, camera angles and OMR answer sheets were manipulated.
An FIR alleged veterinary officer candidates received leaked papers and answer keys after being taken to hotels or resorts.
The alleged practices are being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department and examined by the Karnataka High Court.
KPSC chief Shivashankarappa S Sahukar was suspended, while IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar was arrested in a veterinary recruitment case.
- Who
- Job candidates, former and current Karnataka Public Service Commission officials, alleged middlemen, KPSC members, and state investigators are involved in the reported case.
- What
- Complaints and case records allege bribery, withheld marks, manipulated interviews and tabulation, tampered answer sheets, and leaked examination papers in KPSC recruitment.
- Where
- The alleged activity involved the Karnataka Public Service Commission and, in the veterinary case, hotels and resorts near Karnataka’s state boundaries.
- When
- The alleged irregularities date back at least five years; investigations and legal proceedings are ongoing, with key action reported in 2025.
- Why
- Complainants allege the recruitment process was manipulated to obtain bribes and favor selected candidates.
Allegations and accountability concerns
KPSC response and official proceedings
Responsibility across governments
Allegations and accountability concerns
The investigation alleges that warnings were buried under both the BJP government, which appointed Sahukar in 2019, and the Congress government that took office in 2023.
KPSC response and official proceedings
The article reports ongoing CID investigations and High Court proceedings, but does not describe either party formally accepting responsibility for the alleged failures.
Extent of recruitment manipulation
Allegations and accountability concerns
Former officials, staff, candidates and complaints allege a system involving withheld marks, bribery approaches, manipulated interviews, altered records, tampered OMR sheets and leaked papers.
KPSC response and official proceedings
KPSC interim chairman Dr B Prabhudev said the commission is adopting the UPSC model and taking precautions to protect meritorious candidates and reduce mistrust.
Confidence in investigations
Allegations and accountability concerns
An advocate for aggrieved candidates said they had no faith in a CID or state-agency probe.
KPSC response and official proceedings
The allegations are being examined by the CID and Karnataka High Court, while authorities have taken action including a suspension and an arrest.
Key facts
- Institution
- Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC)
- Investigating agency
- Karnataka Criminal Investigation Department (CID)
- Court
- Karnataka High Court
- Alleged veterinary recruitment bribe
- Up to Rs 80 lakh per candidate
- Potential collection estimate
- More than Rs 100 crore if one-third of 400 veterinary posts were sold at Rs 80 lakh each
- Interview weightage
- Reduced from 200 marks in 2020 to 50 marks, and then to 25 marks in 2022
- Reported disciplinary action
- KPSC chief Shivashankarappa S Sahukar was suspended and IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar was arrested
Quotes
Former KPSC member
Former member of the Karnataka Public Service Commission
“As insurance for balance payment, the middlemen would keep original marksheets and other academic records. After the final selection list was announced, the balance Rs 40 lakh was to be paid. Once payment was made, the originals would be returned for document verification for recruitment.”
indianexpress.com
“When some (KPSC) secretaries insisted on making the marks public, the chairman and his supporters resisted hard. It would have upset the original modus operandi to extract money from desperate candidates.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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