A significant evaluation lapse in the Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) has erupted into a full-blown political controversy, casting serious doubts over the recruitment process for senior posts in the State Planning Board and prompting calls for an independent, high-level investigation. The lapse, which affected all 228 candidates who appeared for a 2023 examination, came to light only after a candidate approached the State Information Commission.

What the Lapse Involves

The controversy centres on an examination held on 13 July 2023 for three senior posts in the Kerala State Planning Board — Chief of the Industry and Infrastructure Division, Chief of the Perspective Planning Division, and Chief of the Planning Coordination Division. Each post carries a basic monthly salary of ₹1.25 lakh.

The KPSC published the rank list on 31 May 2025, and the first-ranked candidate for the Industry and Infrastructure Division was appointed swiftly thereafter. The problem surfaced when unsuccessful candidates, suspecting discrepancies in their scores, sought copies of their evaluated answer scripts. After their Right to Information (RTI) requests and subsequent appeals were rejected by the PSC, one candidate escalated the matter to the State Information Commission.

It was only when the Commission was on the verge of ordering disclosure that the PSC submitted the answer sheets — revealing that ten descriptive answers had gone unevaluated. Crucially, this omission affected all 228 candidates who appeared for the common examination across the three posts.

Political Backlash and Demand for Probe

Sports Minister O.J. Jenish, who also serves as Youth Congress president, came down sharply on the PSC on Wednesday, saying the episode had shaken the confidence of thousands of job aspirants across Kerala. He stated that the concerns of the state's youth could not be ignored and alleged that the irregularities warranted far more than an internal enquiry.

Jenish announced he would meet Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan to press for a more comprehensive probe. 'A mere internal vigilance probe will not inspire confidence,' he said, calling for an impartial investigation to establish accountability. He further alleged that the public could not be faulted for suspecting that the PSC had been subjected to political misuse over the past decade.

PSC's Response and Next Steps

The KPSC has announced an internal vigilance enquiry into the lapse and confirmed that the unevaluated answers of all 228 candidates will now be assessed before a revised rank list is prepared. The Commission also noted that, since some candidates have already approached the Kerala Administrative Tribunal, further action regarding those who have already received advice memos and appointments will be subject to the Tribunal's decision.

Political Silence and Board Composition

Notably, the CPI-M-led Left Opposition has maintained conspicuous silence on the issue, even as the Kerala Legislative Assembly session was in progress until Wednesday — a restraint observers describe as uncharacteristic of the Left's usual legislative conduct. The current PSC Board comprises 15 members, all of whom were appointed by the Pinarayi Vijayan government during its tenure in power.

With a revised rank list pending, appointments already made under scrutiny at the Tribunal, and political pressure mounting, the KPSC lapse is set to remain a flashpoint in Kerala's public employment landscape.