The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged irregularities in Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) recruitments has zeroed in on the State Planning Board examination, with investigators scrutinising allegations that the answer script of the candidate who secured the first rank in 2023 — and is currently employed at the Planning Board — was allegedly manipulated. The development, reported on 30 July from Thiruvananthapuram, marks the most significant finding in the probe so far.

What the SIT Has Found

The PSC examination in question was conducted on 13 July 2023 for the post of Chief (Industry and Infrastructure), State Planning Board. According to sources, the SIT suspects that 10 questions carrying 58 marks were excluded from the evaluation after it emerged that the candidate had answered six of them incorrectly and left four unanswered.

Investigators are examining whether those questions were subsequently dropped specifically to protect the candidate's rank — a move that, if established, would constitute a serious breach of the recruitment process. The candidate is reportedly linked to a Left-affiliated organisation, though these allegations remain under active investigation and no formal charges have been filed.

FIR Registered, No Accused Named Yet

The SIT, headed by Inspector General of Police Ajitha Beegum, has already registered a First Information Report (FIR) in the case. However, no accused have been named so far. Investigators have indicated that the probe has entered a crucial phase focused on establishing individual culpability.

Sources said the investigation team is set to be expanded as it moves into its second stage, which will involve extensive questioning of those involved in the recruitment and evaluation process. Beyond examination officials, the SIT is likely to question members of the PSC Board itself to determine whether the alleged irregularities stemmed from individual misconduct or a wider conspiracy.

Scope Widens: 90 Complaints Across Multiple Exams

The SIT has received approximately 90 complaints relating to various PSC examinations, prompting investigators to broaden the inquiry well beyond the Planning Board recruitment. Complaints pertaining to the Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) and several other examinations are also under scrutiny.

Notably, the present PSC comprises its Chairman and 15 members, all appointed during the tenure of the previous Pinarayi Vijayan government. Under constitutional provisions, each member holds office for six years or until attaining the age of 62, whichever is earlier.

Why This Probe Could Be a Watershed Moment

The Planning Board examination was conducted during the second tenure of the Vijayan government (2021–26) and has now emerged as the centrepiece of what could become Kerala's largest-ever investigation into alleged PSC recruitment irregularities. The breadth of complaints — spanning the KAS and multiple other competitive exams — suggests the alleged manipulation may not have been isolated.

This comes amid growing public concern over the integrity of government recruitment processes across India, with similar SIT-level probes having been triggered in other states in recent years. The outcome of this investigation could have far-reaching consequences for the credibility of Kerala's public service recruitment framework and for those who oversaw it.