The Kerala PSC recruitment probe has widened after the Crime Branch registered a fresh case over alleged irregularities in the Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector examination. The investigation follows allegations that 45 questions in the recruitment test were copied word-for-word from online study material platforms.
The case was registered on Friday following a complaint by Rahul Raj, a resident of Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district, against unidentified Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) officials. The allegations have raised concerns over examination fairness, candidate eligibility and the selection process.
FIR Alleges 45 Questions Were Copied
According to the FIR, 45 examination questions were allegedly copied verbatim from online platforms, including Scamveda Online Study Materials and Sanfoundry.com.
The complaint also alleged that candidates who did not meet the prescribed physical standards were allowed to participate in the recruitment process.
Another allegation concerns the addition of two courses to the list of eligible qualifications before the application deadline, even though these courses were not mentioned in the original recruitment notification.
The FIR claimed that these irregularities resulted in ineligible candidates being included in the rank list published on September 2, 2024, allegedly depriving eligible applicants of employment opportunities.
The case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Fisheries Extension Officer Recruitment Also Under Scanner
The Crime Branch has registered another case concerning the recruitment of Fisheries Extension Officers in the Fisheries Department. The recruitment was notified in August 2020, and its rank list was published on November 28, 2022.
Investigators have alleged that the selection process favoured certain candidates associated with the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), who were allegedly close to PSC officials and the chairman. The allegations also refer to individuals sympathetic to the CPI(M).
The Crime Branch has named the PSC chairman, members and officials as accused in this case, registered on October 28. The alleged favouritism is being investigated as a possible denial of equal opportunities to other eligible candidates.
State Planning Board Exam Evaluation Errors
The investigation has also examined alleged irregularities in the State Planning Board recruitment examination.
According to officials, 10 descriptive Economics questions carrying a total of 58 marks were not assigned to the appropriate evaluators because of errors in the On Screen Marking system. Consequently, the answer sheets were not evaluated initially.
A subsequent revaluation followed a complaint by Shyam Krishna, who moved from third rank to first place. Arun J Pradeep, who initially held the top position, moved to fifth place after the reassessment.
The wider probe also includes alleged irregularities involving Khadi Board and Village Oil Inspector recruitment.
Investigation Expands, Officials Questioned
The state government had constituted a Crime Branch Special Investigation Team to examine the recruitment allegations. Two PSC officials have been arrested, while investigators have questioned PSC chairman MR Baiju and other members.
The expanding investigation now covers multiple recruitment examinations and allegations involving copied questions, eligibility changes, evaluation failures and nepotism. The findings of the investigation will be crucial in determining responsibility and whether candidates were unfairly denied employment opportunities.
Relevant Link: Kerala Public Service Commission
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