Archive · 4 Oct 2026
KPSC Officials Allegedly Withheld Marks to Seek Recruitment Bribes
The Enforcement Directorate is investigating alleged corruption at the Karnataka Public Service Commission, or KPSC.
The agency says some early job-selection lists did not show candidates’ marks.
Investigators allege this kept important information secret and could help officials ask candidates for bribes.
The case is connected to a leaked question paper for an exam to hire veterinary officers.
That exam was held on January 8 and 9, 2026, and was for 400 jobs.
The main accused is Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, who worked as KPSC’s examination controller.
The agency says a middleman collected large sums from at least 20 candidates.
The ED told a court that 13 recruitment drives from Gangwar’s tenure should be investigated.
These are allegations reported by the agency, not findings of guilt.
An Enforcement Directorate investigation says KPSC withheld candidates’ scores in initial selection lists in recent years.
The agency alleges confidential performance data enabled the commission’s chairman and members to negotiate bribes.
IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar was KPSC controller of examinations from January 2024 to March 2026.
Gangwar was arrested and held in agency custody for 14 days in connection with a question paper leak case.
The ED told a special court that 13 recruitment drives during his tenure need investigation; at least 20 candidates allegedly paid a middleman Rs 20 lakh to Rs 40 lakh each.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate is investigating allegations involving KPSC and its former examination controller, IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar.
- What
- The ED alleges that candidate marks were withheld from initial selection lists and that confidential scores were used to negotiate bribes.
- When
- The alleged practices occurred in recent years; Gangwar’s tenure as controller ran from January 2024 to March 2026. The veterinary officer exam was held January 8–9, 2026.
- Where
- Karnataka.
- Why
- According to the ED’s investigation, withholding scores enabled officials to use confidential candidate performance information in bribe negotiations.
- Investigating agency
- Enforcement Directorate (ED)
- Commission
- Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC)
- Accused officer
- Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, IAS officer and former KPSC controller of examinations
- Gangwar’s tenure
- January 2024 to March 2026
- Recruitment drives flagged
- 13, according to the ED’s submission to a special court
- Exam at the center of the case
- Veterinary officer recruitment exam held January 8–9, 2026, for 400 posts
- Alleged payments
- A middleman allegedly collected Rs 20 lakh to Rs 40 lakh each from at least 20 candidates