6 hrs ago
OMR Sheets Expose Alleged Bribery in Karnataka Veterinary Exam
Investigators say six people got some answers before a veterinary recruitment test in Karnataka.
The test took place on January 9, 2026.
They compared the candidates’ answer sheets with two versions of the official answer key.
The six candidates’ answers matched the first version for the first 80 questions.
After officials changed some answers, the candidates’ results no longer matched as closely.
Investigators say this suggests the first answer key was leaked.
They accuse senior officials of helping candidates in return for money.
The accused officials’ alleged roles are being examined by the Enforcement Directorate.
The case also includes a separate alleged leak involving 11 other candidates.
The ED says six candidates received initial answer keys before the January 9, 2026, veterinary recruitment exam in exchange for bribes.
Investigators found the six candidates’ answers matched the KPSC’s initial key through question 80, but diverged after a revised key was published.
The ED alleges former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar and member B V Geetha arranged access to the keys, which exam controller Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar supplied.
Court submissions describe alleged payment deals involving the first- and third-ranked candidates, including advances of Rs 20 lakh and Rs 10 lakh respectively.
The investigation concerns a separate alleged leak to 11 aspirants, while 329 candidates were selected for 400 vacancies.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate; former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar, member B V Geetha, exam controller Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, and six candidates are central to the allegations.
- What
- The ED alleges six candidates received initial answer keys before the veterinary recruitment exam in exchange for bribes.
- Where
- Karnataka; some alleged answer-key handovers took place in North Bengaluru.
- When
- The exam was held January 9, 2026; the alleged answers were provided on January 8, 2026. Sahukar and Geetha were arrested October 6, and the ED reported its findings to a special court on October 7.
- Why
- The ED alleges the answer keys were leaked to help candidates perform well and secure recruitment.
ED allegations
Gangwar’s account
Purpose and scope of the answer-key disclosure
ED allegations
The ED alleges Gangwar supplied initial answer keys through Geetha to assist six candidates, and says the matching OMR responses indicate a leak.
Gangwar’s account
Gangwar told investigators he did not want to leak the veterinary exam question papers at the last minute and provided only answer keys for 80 questions, based on candidate names and roll numbers supplied by Geetha.
Key facts
- Exam date
- January 9, 2026
- Candidates allegedly given keys
- Six, ranked first, third, eighth, ninth, 11th and 12th
- Answers at issue
- Initial answer keys for the first 80 questions
- Candidates taking exam
- About 1,400
- Selections
- 329 candidates selected for 400 vacancies: 56 backlog and 273 main-category positions
- Alleged third-rank deal
- The ED says a Rs 20 lakh deal was struck, with Rs 10 lakh paid in advance
- Alleged first-rank deal
- The ED says a Rs 40 lakh deal was struck, with Rs 20 lakh paid in advance
Quotes
Enforcement Directorate
Indian federal agency investigating the alleged recruitment fraud.
“The exact match of these candidates’ answer options with the initial answer key published by the KPSC raised suspicion, and when enquired about the said pattern, the candidates admitted that they were provided with the Correct Answer Options just one day before the exam, i.e., on 08/01/2026.”
indianexpress.com
“Since both the answer keys are different, they could not have got it without the help of insiders.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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