Kerala PSC cancels LGS exam after question paper mix-up in Alappuzha
Synopsis
Kerala's PSC cancelled its statewide LGS and Storeman exams on 18 July after officials at an Alappuzha centre handed morning candidates the afternoon question paper — a blunder that disrupted thousands of aspirants and deepens a credibility crisis already fuelled by a Crime Branch probe into the State Planning Board recruitment controversy.
Key Takeaways
The Kerala PSC cancelled the LGS and Storeman recruitment exams on 18 July following a question paper mix-up.
The error occurred at the Lajanath School centre in Alappuzha , where the afternoon paper was distributed to morning candidates.
The cancellation affected thousands of candidates statewide; fresh dates are yet to be announced.
The Crime Branch is separately probing the PSC over the Kerala State Planning Board recruitment, where 10 answers were allegedly left unevaluated.
The State Information Commission has directed the PSC to release withheld RTI documents within seven days .
The Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) was forced to cancel a statewide recruitment examination on Saturday, 18 July after officials at the Lajanath School examination centre in Alappuzha mistakenly distributed the afternoon session's question paper to morning candidates — the latest in a series of setbacks for the embattled constitutional body.
What Happened at the Exam Centre
The cancelled tests were the Last Grade Servants (LGS) and Storeman recruitment examinations, scheduled for 2 p.m. for posts requiring SSLC as the minimum qualification. The PSC had split the preliminary examination into two sessions to accommodate the large volume of candidates.
According to reports, the error came to light only after the morning session had already concluded, leaving the Commission with no option but to call off the afternoon examination across the entire state. The PSC cited 'technical reasons' in its official cancellation notice and said fresh dates would be announced later.
Impact on Candidates
The abrupt cancellation caused significant disruption for thousands of candidates who had spent months preparing and had already travelled to their respective examination centres. Demands have since emerged for a detailed inquiry into what critics are calling a serious administrative and security failure in the conduct of a high-stakes public recruitment examination.
A Pattern of Controversy at the PSC
Saturday's fiasco arrives at a particularly sensitive moment for the Kerala PSC. The Crime Branch is currently investigating allegations surrounding the controversial recruitment to the Kerala State Planning Board, after it emerged that 10 answers were allegedly left unevaluated before the rank list was finalised — even as a leader of a Left-affiliated organisation secured the first rank.
The State Information Commission recently directed the PSC to hand over all documents related to that recruitment — previously withheld from candidates under the Right to Information Act — within seven days. That order was followed by the formal registration of a Crime Branch probe.
What This Means for PSC's Credibility
The question paper mix-up is the latest in a sequence of incidents that have raised questions about the transparency, credibility, and integrity of the PSC's recruitment processes. Analysts and opposition voices argue that the cumulative effect of these lapses risks eroding public trust in a body that serves as the primary gateway to government employment in Kerala.
The Commission is yet to announce a revised examination schedule; candidates are advised to monitor official PSC communications for updates.
Point of View
The chilling effect on candidates' faith in merit-based selection is real and lasting. The PSC needs more than a fresh exam date — it needs a credible, public-facing accountability audit.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Kerala PSC LGS exam cancelled on 18 July?
The Kerala PSC cancelled the LGS and Storeman recruitment exams on 18 July after officials at the Lajanath School centre in Alappuzha mistakenly distributed the afternoon session's question paper to morning candidates. The error was discovered only after the morning exam had concluded, leaving no option but to cancel the afternoon session statewide.
Who is affected by the Kerala PSC exam cancellation?
Thousands of candidates who had registered for the Last Grade Servants (LGS) and Storeman posts — requiring SSLC as the minimum qualification — are affected. Many had already travelled to examination centres across Kerala before the cancellation was announced.
When will the Kerala PSC reschedule the cancelled LGS exam?
The PSC has not yet announced fresh dates. The Commission stated that revised examination dates will be communicated later, and candidates are advised to monitor official PSC notifications.
What is the Kerala PSC Planning Board recruitment controversy?
The Crime Branch is investigating allegations that 10 answers were left unevaluated before the Kerala State Planning Board rank list was finalised, even as a leader of a Left-affiliated organisation secured the first rank. The State Information Commission has also directed the PSC to release related RTI documents within seven days.
Has the Kerala PSC faced similar controversies before?
Yes. The Alappuzha paper mix-up comes amid an active Crime Branch probe into the Planning Board recruitment and follows the State Information Commission's directive to release withheld documents. Critics argue the cumulative incidents point to systemic lapses in the PSC's examination security and transparency protocols.
