Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Karnataka IAS Officer Missing Amid KPSC Recruitment Scam Row
Police and government officials are trying to find IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar.
He has been unreachable since August 20.
His last known location was Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport.
He reportedly bought a ticket to New Delhi, but nobody knows if he boarded the flight.
His phone was switched off at the airport.
Gangwar previously worked at the Karnataka Public Service Commission, or KPSC.
The KPSC is facing allegations that examination papers were leaked and that money was demanded for some jobs.
Officials say it is too early to know whether his disappearance is connected to those allegations.
2016-batch IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar has been unreachable since August 20 after reportedly reaching Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport.
Gangwar reportedly booked an IndiGo flight to New Delhi for ₹30,253 using an HDFC credit card, but authorities have not confirmed whether he boarded.
His mobile phone was reportedly switched off at the airport, and no formal missing complaint had been filed by his family or others.
Gangwar previously served as controller of examinations at the Karnataka Public Service Commission and currently serves as Director, MSME, in Karnataka’s Industries and Commerce Department.
His disappearance comes amid allegations of corruption and leaked examination papers at the KPSC, though officials have not confirmed a connection.
- Who
- Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, a 2016-batch Karnataka IAS officer and Director, MSME, is reportedly missing.
- What
- Authorities are investigating Gangwar’s disappearance after he was last traced to Bengaluru airport.
- When
- He has reportedly been unreachable since the afternoon of August 20.
- Where
- His last known location was Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- Why
- The reason for his disappearance is unknown; it occurred amid a KPSC recruitment-corruption investigation, but officials have not confirmed a link.
Possible KPSC Connection
No Confirmed Connection
Whether the disappearance is linked to the investigation
Possible KPSC Connection
The timing has raised questions because Gangwar previously served as KPSC examination controller, and one report said he booked his Delhi ticket shortly after a former KPSC officer was taken for questioning by the SIT.
No Confirmed Connection
Government and official sources said nothing had been confirmed linking Gangwar’s disappearance to events during his KPSC tenure.
Status of the disappearance
Possible KPSC Connection
Reports described Gangwar as missing or absconding after his phone was switched off at the airport and his whereabouts became unknown.
No Confirmed Connection
Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the government had received information and was investigating, but emphasized that no formal missing complaint had been filed.
Action involving KPSC chairperson
Possible KPSC Connection
The Karnataka government said corruption and recruitment allegations had put young people’s futures at stake and recommended action against KPSC chairperson Shivashankarappa S Sahukar.
No Confirmed Connection
Sahukar’s suspension had been challenged, and the Karnataka High Court ordered his reinstatement on August 18, saying the Governor’s decision had not been made with the Cabinet’s aid and advice.
- Officer
- Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, a 2016-batch IAS officer
- Current position
- Director, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Karnataka Department of Industries and Commerce
- Last known location
- Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru
- Reported travel plan
- An IndiGo ticket to New Delhi
- Ticket details
- ₹30,253, reportedly paid using an HDFC credit card
- Communication status
- His mobile phone and other communication channels were reportedly disconnected
- KPSC context
- The commission is facing allegations involving corruption, nepotism and leaked recruitment-examination papers
- Formal complaint
- Officials said no formal missing complaint had been filed at the time of reporting
