Cheating in Kerala PSC exam using online study material; 45 questions were copied..
The investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment examinations conducted by the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) has intensified. The Crime Branch has received allegations that 45 questions in the Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector recruitment examination were copied verbatim from online study materials. A case has been registered against unknown officials of the Commission in connection with this matter. Furthermore, allegations of irregularities and favoritism in recruitments for the Fisheries Department, Khadi Board, Village Oil Inspector posts, and the State Planning Board are also being investigated. The scope of the probe has been expanded following the discovery of flaws in the evaluation process for the State Planning Board examination.
According to officials, the case was registered on Friday based on a complaint filed by Rahul Raj, a resident of Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district. The complaint accuses unknown officials of the Kerala PSC of committing irregularities during the recruitment process. The FIR states that 45 questions featured in the Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector examination were allegedly lifted verbatim from platforms such as 'Scamveda' online study materials and Sanfoundry.com.
Allegations of selecting ineligible candidates and altering recruitment rules
Additionally, there are allegations that candidates who did not meet the prescribed physical standards were included in the recruitment process, and that eligibility criteria were modified after the application deadline. The complaint asserts that these irregularities led to the selection of ineligible candidates in the rank list published on September 2, 2024, thereby depriving qualified candidates of employment opportunities. The case has been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Fisheries Department recruitment also under scrutiny
In a separate case concerning the recruitment of Fisheries Extension Officers in the Fisheries Department, the Crime Branch has named the PSC Chairman, its members, and other officials as accused. This matter relates to a notification issued in August 2020, with allegations that certain candidates were granted undue advantages in the rank list published on November 28, 2022. This list was valid until November 28, 2025.
Flaws in evaluation during State Planning Board examination
The investigative agency has also initiated a probe into alleged irregularities in recruitment for the Khadi Board and the post of Village Oil Inspector. Discrepancies in the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system were discovered during the State Planning Board’s recruitment examination. As a result, 10 descriptive questions in Economics—carrying a total of 58 marks—were not assigned to the correct evaluators, leaving those sections of the answer sheets unevaluated. Following a complaint, a re-evaluation was conducted; this shifted Shyam Krishna—who had initially ranked third—to the first position, while Arun J. Pradeep, who was previously in the top spot, moved to fifth place.
Two officials arrested; investigation underway
The state government tasked a Special Investigation Team (SIT) from the Crime Branch with probing the matter. Two officials from the Public Service Commission (PSC) have been arrested during the course of the investigation. The team has also questioned the Commission’s Chairman, M.R. Baiju, and other members. The scope of the investigation has now been expanded to include alleged irregularities in other recruitment examinations conducted by the Commission.
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