{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Kerala PSC Recruitment Scam Widens As Three More Exams Face Criminal Probe",
  "summary": "A major recruitment scandal surrounding the Kerala Public Service Commission has escalated as authorities prepare to launch criminal investigations into three additional exams.",
  "content": "The integrity of the Kerala Public Service Commission has come under severe scrutiny once again as authorities prepare to launch criminal investigations into three more recruitment exams. This widening controversy has deepened the crisis surrounding the state hiring body, raising renewed questions about transparency and fairness in public sector appointments. The developments follow a strong push from former governor Rajendra Arlekar, who had earlier recommended the removal of the commission chairman and 15 members due to persistent allegations of corruption and procedural lapses. On October 25, it came to light that Arlekar had formally written to President Droupadi Murmu, urging decisive action against the leadership of the commission.\n\n \n\nNew Exams Brought Under Criminal Probe\n\nThe scope of the investigation is expanding rapidly as law enforcement agencies step up their inquiries. The crime branch is currently preparing to register fresh cases concerning the recruitment processes for the posts of Assistant Motor Vehicles Inspector, Fisheries Extension Officer, and Village Oil Inspector. These examinations have been marred by serious allegations involving compromised question papers, manipulated rank lists, and irregular appointments. Investigators are now looking closely at how these systemic failures were allowed to take place across multiple recruitment cycles.\n\n \n\nInternal Vigilance Report Ignored\n\nThe push for high-level intervention originated from the findings of the commission's own internal vigilance department, which had uncovered glaring irregularities in the conduct of various examinations. Before stepping down from his post on October 15, Arlekar dispatched a detailed recommendation to President Murmu based on these internal findings. The lack of appropriate administrative action despite clear warnings from the vigilance wing served as a primary catalyst for the former governor to intervene directly in the matter.\n\n \n\nCoaching Centre Link in Motor Vehicle Exam\n\nThe investigation into the Assistant Motor Vehicles Inspector examination has revealed troubling details regarding how question papers were handled. Preliminary findings indicate that questions featured in the official examination paper matched material previously prepared by a prominent coaching centre specializing in PSC exam preparation. Investigators are actively probing how these questions found their way into the official test paper and whether specific candidates gained an unfair advantage as a result.\n\n \n\nConflict of Interest in Fisheries Recruitment\n\nSignificant irregularities have also been flagged in the selection process for the Fisheries Extension Officer post. Reports indicate that every single candidate who secured a spot in the top 100 of the rank list belonged to the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies. Unsuccessful candidates have alleged that faculty members from the exact same university were involved in drafting the question papers and served on the interview board, creating a clear conflict of interest. Furthermore, allegations have surfaced suggesting that student union activists and members associated with the SFI received undue preference during the recruitment.\n\n \n\nRules Flouted for Official Relative\n\nThe controversy deepened further with revelations surrounding the Village Oil Inspector recruitment. Reports claim that the wife of a senior PSC official was appointed to the post despite lacking the mandatory qualifications required for the job. This specific allegation has intensified debates over whether recruitment rules were selectively applied to favor connected individuals. These fresh allegations arrive at a time when the commission is already facing immense pressure following intervention from the Kerala High Court regarding widespread irregularities in public service tests.\n\n \n\nSpecial Investigation Team Under Scrutiny\n\nAlthough the state government previously established a special investigation team to look into the irregularities, the slow pace of the probe has drawn widespread criticism. Before his departure, the former governor summoned the chairman and secretary of the commission to the Raj Bhavan to seek clarifications regarding the mounting scandals. Dissatisfied with their explanations, the former governor concluded that much stricter measures were necessary to restore public faith in the constitutional body.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThe expanding scandal directly impacts the career prospects and trust of thousands of aspirants preparing for public sector examinations in the state.\n\n• In Kerala: Job seekers face growing uncertainty regarding ongoing recruitment cycles, while the criminal probe increases pressure on authorities to clean up the system. Aspirants can expect stricter oversight in upcoming examinations as investigative agencies step in.\n\n• Across India: The developments highlight persistent vulnerabilities in state-level recruitment boards, prompting broader discussions on transparency and accountability in public service commissions nationwide.\n\nWhy this happened\nThe administrative crisis stems from systemic failures, ignored internal vigilance reports, and procedural manipulation within the hiring body.\n\n• Ignored Vigilance Findings: The internal vigilance wing uncovered severe irregularities in exam conduct, but administrative leaders failed to take timely corrective action.\n\n• Conflicts of Interest: Involvement of university staff in both paper setting and interview boards created loopholes that favored specific candidates.\n\n• Selective Rule Application: Qualifications were allegedly bypassed to accommodate relatives of officials and politically connected individuals.\n\n• Heightened Judicial Scrutiny: Intervention by the state high court regarding past examination irregularities brought intense pressure on the commission's leadership.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Which three new exams are facing criminal investigation?\nThe crime branch is preparing to investigate the recruitments for Assistant Motor Vehicles Inspector, Fisheries Extension Officer, and Village Oil Inspector.\n\n2. Which former governor wrote to the President regarding the scandal?\nFormer governor Rajendra Arlekar sent a recommendation letter to President Droupadi Murmu before stepping down on October 15.\n\n3. What irregularities were found in the motor vehicle inspector exam?\nPreliminary checks showed that questions matched material prepared by a major coaching centre that trains PSC aspirants.\n\n4. What issues were raised in the fisheries officer recruitment?\nAll top 100 candidates on the rank list belonged to the same university whose faculty members helped set papers and sat on interview boards.\n\n5. Who was allegedly favored in the village oil inspector recruitment?\nReports claim the wife of a senior PSC official was appointed to the post despite lacking the necessary qualifications.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/kerala/kerala-psc-bharti-vivada-gaharaya-tina-aura-parikshaon-ki-hogi-aparadhika-jancha-51831",
  "category": "Kerala",
  "publishedAt": "2026-10-26",
  "tags": [
    "Kerala PSC",
    "recruitment scam",
    "crime branch",
    "Rajendra Arlekar",
    "government jobs",
    "Kerala news"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}