Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) is facing questions over its decision to order an internal inquiry into alleged irregularities in the recruitment examination for the post of Chief in the State Planning Board, after it emerged that a 2025 rank list had been prepared despite answers to 10 questions allegedly remaining unevaluated.

The controversy came up before the Commission on Monday (June 29, 2026). Following the meeting, the PSC decided to entrust the inquiry to its Internal Vigilance Officer. However, the move has drawn scrutiny as the investigation has been assigned to the Controller of Examinations, the official responsible for overseeing the conduct of examinations.

Questions over choice of investigator

The decision has prompted questions over why the alleged irregularities were not referred either to the Kerala Police or to the PSC's Vigilance Wing, which is headed by an SP-rank officer on deputation from the State Police to investigate complaints relating to the Commission.

The alleged irregularities relate to the evaluation of answer scripts for the recruitment. According to the allegations, answers to Questions 9 to 18 in the common paper were left unevaluated. Despite this, the PSC published the rank list in May 2025 after combining the marks awarded for the remaining answers with interview scores, and appointments were subsequently made.

The controversy intensified after allegations surfaced that the candidate who secured the appointment is associated with a Left-affiliated organisation.

Rank list not cancelled

Despite the row, the PSC has not cancelled the rank list. Instead, it has decided to evaluate the previously omitted answers and revise the rank list based on the updated marks.

The Commission has also come under criticism for not identifying those responsible for the lapse or initiating action against officials connected with the evaluation process. More than a week after the alleged irregularity came to light, no disciplinary action has reportedly been taken.

Recruitment notified in 2022

The recruitment notification for the post of Chief in the State Planning Board was issued in 2022. Vacancies were notified in the Industry and Infrastructure Division, Perspective Planning Division and Planning Coordination Division, with one post in each division.

Candidates appeared for two papers for each stream, with the first paper common to all three divisions. It was in this common paper that answers to Questions 9 to 18 were allegedly left unevaluated before the rank list was prepared and published.