Kerala PSC row: Organised racket suspected in exam fraud, government tells High Court

The UDF government in Kerala has told the High Court that organised fraud, rather than clerical errors, was behind irregularities in a State Planning Board recruitment examination conducted during the previous LDF government's tenure. The disclosure comes amid a widening probe into alleged manipulation of recruitment examinations and rank lists under the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC).

Director General of Prosecution T. Asif Ali informed the Kerala High Court on Monday (November 2) that an organised group was involved in the irregularities. The government also told the court that it had received more than 180 complaints against PSC, three of which had resulted in the registration of police cases.

Government suspects organised manipulation of examination results

The prosecution said 10 questions in the State Planning Board examination were completely excluded during the evaluation process. Investigators suspect that some candidates may have colluded with insiders to remove questions they had answered incorrectly.

The government also indicated that the investigation would not be limited to candidates who secured lower ranks. Even the candidate who topped the merit list could come under scrutiny, it told the court.

The submission challenges the PSC's position that the discrepancies were merely clerical mistakes. It also raises questions about the examination and evaluation procedures followed by the recruitment agency.

PSC appointments made during previous LDF government

The controversy has brought the composition and functioning of the PSC under scrutiny. All 16 of its current members, including chairman Dr M.R. Baiju, were appointed during the previous decade-long LDF government.

The investigation is now being pursued by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the UDF government led by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan.

The SIT has questioned senior officials as part of its probe. Police have also arrested two senior PSC officials — Additional Secretary R. Hari and former Deputy Secretary P. Satheesh.

Multiple recruitment examinations under Crime Branch scanner

The Crime Branch investigation extends beyond the State Planning Board examination to other recruitment tests conducted during the LDF government's tenure.

A case has been registered against the PSC leadership over the alleged manipulation of the Fisheries Extension Officer rank list to favour candidates believed to have Left affiliations.

Investigators are also examining allegations concerning the Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector examination. The probe is looking into whether questions in the test were copied from private coaching websites.

In another complaint submitted to the Chief Minister, allegations have been raised that the selection process for police officers was expedited to benefit an Students' Federation of India (SFI) leader who faces criminal cases. The allegation is also being examined.

Government says complaints are being investigated

The issue was also raised in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, where Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said the police and internal vigilance machinery were examining the complaints.

He clarified that the government had no plans to reduce the number of PSC members or cut their salaries.

The government's stated position is that the investigations will focus on establishing whether recruitment examinations and appointments were deliberately manipulated.