Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Kumaraswamy Urges Rahul Gandhi to Meet KPSC Recruitment Victims
H D Kumaraswamy says there may be serious problems in Karnataka’s government-job examinations.
He blamed the Congress government for not properly fixing the Karnataka Public Service Commission.
He asked Rahul Gandhi to visit Bengaluru and listen to young people who say they were affected.
Kumaraswamy also referred to allegations that some exam papers were leaked and some answer sheets were changed.
He said candidates may have paid money or received unfair help.
An IAS officer connected to the case was arrested by the CID.
Kumaraswamy said arresting one person may not solve the larger problem.
The reports also mention that Congress leaders asked him to provide evidence, but they do not give a detailed response to all his accusations.
H D Kumaraswamy accused Karnataka’s Congress government of failing to address alleged irregularities in Karnataka Public Service Commission recruitments.
He urged Rahul Gandhi to visit Bengaluru, meet affected young people and raise the issue as strongly as he raised the NEET controversy.
Kumaraswamy alleged question-paper leaks, resort-based examinations, payments for recruitment and manipulation of OMR sheets in Assistant Executive Engineer selection.
He questioned the arrest of former KPSC Examination Controller Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, saying broader accountability was needed beyond one officer’s detention.
He cited alleged veterinary recruitment ranking discrepancies and called for the government to disclose how many jobs it has provided to unemployed youth.
- Who
- Union Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy made the allegations, referring to Rahul Gandhi, Priyank Kharge and Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
- What
- Kumaraswamy criticized alleged irregularities in KPSC recruitment examinations and urged Rahul Gandhi to meet affected candidates.
- When
- The remarks were reported on August 30 and August 31; the reports differ on the weekday, describing the dates as Sunday and Monday.
- Where
- The remarks were made in or concerned Bengaluru, Karnataka; one report carried a New Delhi dateline.
- Why
- Kumaraswamy said the alleged irregularities were harming unemployed young people, damaging Karnataka’s image and undermining confidence in KPSC.
Kumaraswamy’s allegations
Government-side response
Extent of wrongdoing
Kumaraswamy’s allegations
Kumaraswamy alleged that KPSC examinations involved leaked question papers, payments, resort-based testing and manipulated OMR sheets, and said the system was failing unemployed youth.
Government-side response
The reports do not provide a detailed response from the Karnataka government to these specific allegations; Priyank Kharge asked Kumaraswamy to substantiate his claims with evidence.
Accountability after arrest
Kumaraswamy’s allegations
Kumaraswamy said the arrest of Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar was insufficient and called for a broader, transparent investigation and accountability.
Government-side response
The CID is investigating the alleged irregularities, including examination records, OMR sheets and the roles of officials and others involved.
Political responsibility
Kumaraswamy’s allegations
Kumaraswamy argued that Priyank Kharge could not disclaim responsibility for alleged irregularities during Kharge’s earlier tenure as Rural Development and Panchayat Raj minister.
Government-side response
Kumaraswamy’s account notes that the chief minister responded in the Assembly regarding the Assistant Executive Engineer selection, but the reports do not provide the substance of that response.
- Commission involved
- Karnataka Public Service Commission, or KPSC
- Main accuser
- H D Kumaraswamy, Union Minister and JD(S) leader
- Political figure addressed
- Rahul Gandhi was urged to meet KPSC-affected youth in Bengaluru
- Alleged examination problems
- The reports cite alleged leaks, resort-based examinations, payments for recruitment and manipulation of OMR sheets
- Officer arrested
- Former KPSC Examination Controller and IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar was arrested by the CID
- Recruitments mentioned
- Assistant Executive Engineer and veterinary officer recruitments, as well as Water Resources Department junior engineer recruitment
- Government tenure cited
- Kumaraswamy referred to Congress rule from 2013–18 and its return to power in 2023