Kerala PSC ordered to disclose Planning Board recruitment records within 7 days
Synopsis
The Kerala State Information Commission has forced the PSC's hand — ordering full disclosure of answer scripts, interview marks, and candidate mark lists within seven days in the Planning Board recruitment row. With 10 exam answers allegedly left unevaluated and both Congress and BJP demanding an independent probe, the documents could either confirm a systemic failure or clear the air in one of Kerala's most politically charged recruitment controversies.
Key Takeaways
The Kerala State Information Commission on 6 July ordered the PSC to disclose all examination records for the Planning Board Chief Industry and Infrastructure recruitment within seven days .
The PSC must provide answer scripts , interview marks , and the complete candidate mark list to RTI applicants.
10 answers in the written examination were allegedly left unevaluated, raising questions about the assessment process.
Both Congress and BJP are demanding an independent probe into PSC functioning.
The appointment was made under the Pinarayi Vijayan -led Left government, which also appointed the entire 15-member PSC board .
The Kerala State Information Commission on Monday, 6 July directed the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) to disclose all examination records connected to the disputed recruitment for the Kerala State Planning Board's Chief Industry and Infrastructure post, dealing a significant blow to the PSC's effort to keep the documents sealed. The Commission ordered full disclosure within seven days, overturning the PSC's earlier refusal to comply with Right to Information (RTI) applications filed by candidates.
What the Order Covers
The Information Commission's directive requires the PSC to furnish candidates with copies of their answer scripts, a breakdown of interview marks awarded, and the complete mark list of all candidates who sat the examination, along with any other relevant documents. The records had been withheld despite multiple RTI applications from candidates seeking transparency over the selection process.
The Irregularity Allegations
The recruitment had already attracted scrutiny after it emerged that 10 answers in the written examination were allegedly left unevaluated — raising serious questions about the integrity of the assessment. The disclosure of answer scripts, interview scores, and consolidated mark lists is now expected to shed further light on whether the selection was conducted fairly. Critics argue the unevaluated answers alone point to a systemic lapse, not merely an administrative oversight.
Political Pressure Mounts
The order arrives amid escalating allegations of irregularities across PSC recruitments more broadly. Both the Indian National Congress (Congress) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have intensified protests, demanding an independent probe into the functioning of the constitutional recruitment body. Notably, this appointment was made under the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, and the entire 15-member PSC board was also appointed during the Left's tenure — a detail opposition parties are expected to press further.
What Happens Next
The release of examination records is likely to provide fresh material for both candidates and investigators to determine whether the Planning Board recruitment represents an isolated procedural failure or reflects a broader pattern within the PSC. Political pressure on the Commission is expected to intensify as the documents become available. The seven-day compliance window means disclosures could arrive as early as mid-July, potentially reshaping the trajectory of the controversy.
Point of View
The Vijayan administration cannot easily distance itself from accountability. The deeper question mainstream coverage is skirting: if this pattern extends beyond one post, Kerala's recruitment architecture may need more than an information order — it may need a structural overhaul.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Kerala State Information Commission order regarding the PSC?
The Kerala State Information Commission directed the PSC to disclose all examination records related to the Planning Board's Chief Industry and Infrastructure recruitment within seven days. This includes answer scripts, interview marks, and the complete mark list of all candidates who appeared for the exam.
Why is the Kerala PSC Planning Board recruitment controversial?
The recruitment drew scrutiny after it emerged that 10 answers in the written examination were allegedly left unevaluated. Candidates had also filed RTI applications that the PSC refused to comply with, prompting the Information Commission's intervention.
Who is demanding a probe into Kerala PSC irregularities?
Both the Congress and the BJP have stepped up protests and are demanding an independent probe into the PSC's functioning. The opposition has also highlighted that the appointment and the entire 15-member PSC board were constituted under the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government.
When must the PSC comply with the disclosure order?
The PSC has been given seven days from the date of the order — issued on 6 July — to furnish the required documents, meaning disclosures are expected by mid-July 2025.
Could this disclosure affect other PSC recruitments?
According to reports, the release of records could help determine whether the Planning Board recruitment was an isolated lapse or part of a wider pattern of procedural irregularities within the PSC, potentially widening the scope of scrutiny.
