KPSC to get new form, CM Shivakumar grants permission to interrogate accused in irregularities case

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday, October 25, 2026, or Monday, October 26, 2026, announced plans to give the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) a “new form” to address examination irregularities. Speaking at Palace Grounds in Bengaluru, CM Shivakumar also confirmed that permission has been granted to interrogate accused Jnanendra in connection with an ongoing KPSC irregularities case.

These measures aim to ensure a fair and transparent recruitment process, following a history of irregularities within the KPSC. The state government has emphasized its commitment to reforming the education system and establishing a clean examination process, a concern also raised by national leaders.

Prosecution Sanction Against IAS Officer

Chief Minister Shivakumar has issued prosecution sanction against IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, who is implicated in alleged corruption and large-scale irregularities concerning the KPSC recruitment examination. This sanction allows the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to proceed with prosecution-related steps against the suspended officer under the Prevention of Corruption Act and other relevant legal provisions. The consent for prosecution was granted after verification of the relevant file and documents.

Based on what the CID investigation, Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, who served as the KPSC Controller of Examinations from January 2024 to March 2026, allegedly leaked question papers for a competitive examination held on January 8 and 9, 2026. The examination was for 400 Veterinary Officer posts. Gangwar is accused of misusing his official position to pass on the exam question paper to middleman Basavaraj Kannale. Kannale, who was arrested on August 30, allegedly collected a cumulative amount of up to ₹1.5 crore from candidates, of which ₹1.30 crore was reportedly handed over to Gangwar. Some candidates were allegedly taken to a resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru to memorize leaked answers. Gangwar was previously suspended from service and remanded to the custody of the ED in a parallel money-laundering investigation.

Allegations of Paper Leak and Financial Transactions

The investigation into the KPSC irregularities case has uncovered details regarding the alleged leak of examination papers and the financial transactions involved. Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar is accused of leaking papers to at least 10 candidates who after that appeared among the top 20 rank holders in the final selection list for the Veterinary Officer posts, which was announced on July 17, 2026. Candidates were allegedly charged significant sums for these leaked papers.

Chief Minister Shivakumar stated, “Some matters have come to notice; the ED and our officials have investigated, and permission has been given immediately for interrogation to bring out the truth. Our children study with great difficulty. It is not right to allow money and recommendations.”

Reforms and Future Discussions

To address the recurring issue of irregularities in KPSC, a committee has been formed to examine measures to prevent such incidents, and its recommendations will be considered by the state government. CM Shivakumar stated, “We have seen many irregularities in KPSC earlier also. To prevent this, a committee has been formed, and its opinion will be taken. KPSC needs to be given a new form.”

The Chief Minister also highlighted broader efforts to reform the education system, noting that national leaders have cautioned about this. A committee has been formed under the leadership of Minister U T Khader to spearhead these reforms. CM Shivakumar mentioned that he and Minister Priyank Kharge have considered a clean examination system and provided guidance for its implementation. Separately, CM Shivakumar is scheduled to hold discussions with farmers before meeting representatives of sugar factories in Belagavi on Monday, October 27, 2026, regarding the pressing issue of sugarcane crushing. He has asked MPs, ministers, and MLAs to participate in this meeting.

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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