KPSC recruitment scam: ABVP activists detained in Bengaluru siege attempt
Synopsis
ABVP activists stormed the KPSC office in Bengaluru over a scandal involving alleged ₹80 lakh-per-seat bribes, leaked question papers, and OMR tampering in the recruitment of 400 Veterinary Officers. With the KPSC Chairman already suspended and selected candidates breaking down before reporters, Karnataka's public recruitment system is under its most intense scrutiny in years.
Key Takeaways
ABVP activists attempted to lay siege to the KPSC headquarters in Bengaluru on 30 July ; police detained several protesters.
The alleged scam involves recruitment of 400 Veterinary Officers , with bribes reportedly reaching ₹80 lakh per seat , leaked question papers, and OMR sheet tampering .
The KPSC Chairman has been suspended amid ongoing investigations.
The protest was led by ABVP Bengaluru Organising Secretary Manikantha Kalasa .
Selected candidates met Deputy Chief Minister G.
Parameshwara , asserting merit-based selection and seeking early appointment.
Police barricaded roads from the KPSC office near Vidhana Soudha to the CID office to prevent further escalation.
Activists of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) laid siege to the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) headquarters in Bengaluru on Thursday, 30 July, demanding a transparent probe into alleged large-scale irregularities in the recruitment of Veterinary Officers and Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs). Police detained several protesters as they attempted to breach barricades and march towards the KPSC office near Vidhana Soudha.
The Alleged Scam
The KPSC is facing a serious cash-for-jobs and OMR sheet tampering scandal linked to the recruitment of 400 Veterinary Officers. According to reports, the alleged irregularities include leaked question papers, bribes reportedly as high as ₹80 lakh per seat, and the suspension of the KPSC Chairman. Investigations are currently underway, and the case has become a flashpoint of public debate in Karnataka.
Protest and Police Response
The demonstration was led by ABVP Bengaluru Organising Secretary Manikantha Kalasa. As the protest intensified, police deployed additional personnel and erected barricades on roads leading to the KPSC office, stretching from the commission's premises up to the road towards the CID office. Minor scuffles and pushing were reported as activists attempted to cross the barricades. Authorities restricted entry to KPSC staff and individuals with essential work at the office.
ABVP leaders alleged that repeated recruitment irregularities have caused widespread anxiety among students and job aspirants across the state. They demanded a fair, impartial, and accountable investigation, and called on the state government to restore public confidence in the recruitment process.
Selected Candidates Plead Their Case
Meanwhile, candidates who had already been selected for the Veterinary Officer posts met Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara in Bengaluru, urging the government to expedite their appointments. The candidates maintained that they had secured high marks on merit and expressed willingness to cooperate with any investigation.
Several candidates reportedly broke down while speaking to reporters. They appealed to the government to proceed with appointments, stating that those found guilty during the probe should face appropriate action. The candidates also alleged that a large number of contractual employees fear losing their positions if meritorious candidates are formally appointed and are therefore, they claimed, creating obstacles in the process.
What Happens Next
Investigations into the KPSC recruitment scam are ongoing. With the KPSC Chairman already suspended and political pressure mounting from student organisations, the state government faces calls for a credible, time-bound inquiry. The outcome of the probe is expected to have significant implications for thousands of aspirants awaiting results from other KPSC recruitment cycles.
Point of View
It is a systematic market for government jobs. The suspension of the KPSC Chairman is a necessary first step, but it does not address the structural vulnerabilities — paper leaks, OMR manipulation, opaque selection processes — that make such alleged rackets possible. Karnataka's government must reckon with the fact that aspirants who spend years preparing for these examinations are not just losing jobs; they are losing faith in the state itself.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the KPSC recruitment scam in Karnataka?
The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) is allegedly at the centre of a cash-for-jobs and OMR sheet tampering scandal involving the recruitment of 400 Veterinary Officers. Reports allege leaked question papers, bribes of up to ₹80 lakh per seat, and the subsequent suspension of the KPSC Chairman, with investigations currently underway.
Why did ABVP protest outside the KPSC office in Bengaluru?
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged the protest on 30 July to demand a fair and transparent investigation into alleged large-scale irregularities in KPSC recruitments for Veterinary Officers and Panchayat Development Officers. Activists argued that repeated scams have caused widespread anxiety among students and job aspirants across Karnataka.
Were protesters detained during the KPSC siege in Bengaluru?
Yes, police detained several ABVP activists who attempted to breach barricades and march towards the KPSC office near Vidhana Soudha. Minor scuffles were reported between protesters and police personnel during the demonstration.
What did the selected Veterinary Officer candidates say?
Candidates already selected for Veterinary Officer posts met Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, asserting they were chosen on merit and urging the government to proceed with appointments. Some candidates broke down while speaking to reporters and said they were willing to face any investigation.
What is the current status of the KPSC scam investigation?
Investigations into the alleged KPSC recruitment irregularities are ongoing. The KPSC Chairman has been suspended. No formal conclusion or charge sheet has been publicly announced, and the state government is under mounting pressure to ensure a credible, time-bound probe.
