KPSC exam Nov 15: CM Shivakumar orders election-style conduct for 319 posts
Synopsis
With trust in the KPSC at rock-bottom following bribery and paper-leak arrests, CM Shivakumar is treating a state civil services exam like a general election — dual invigilators, CCTV grids, mobile bans, and college recognition at stake. The November 15 test for 319 Gazetted Probationer posts is Karnataka's first real answer to whether its tainted public recruitment body can be redeemed.
Key Takeaways
KPSC will conduct the preliminary exam for 319 Gazetted Probationer posts across Karnataka on 15 November 2026 .
Shivakumar ordered election-style staff training and mandatory compliance reports from Deputy Commissioners .
For the first time, two invigilators per hall will be deployed, with at least one from a government college .
The KPSC scam involved alleged bribes of ₹20 lakh to ₹80 lakh per post ; four accused — including former KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar — are in jail.
Mobile phones are banned from exam centres; CCTV surveillance is mandatory at all venues.
Private aided colleges found to have enabled malpractice face cancellation of institutional recognition .
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday, 13 November 2026 issued sweeping directives to ensure the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) preliminary examination for 319 Gazetted Probationer posts — scheduled across Karnataka on Sunday, 15 November — is conducted with the rigour of a general election. The move comes in the shadow of a wide-ranging KPSC recruitment scam that shook public confidence in the state's civil services selection process.
Background: The Scam That Prompted the Crackdown
The KPSC's credibility was severely damaged by a recruitment scandal centred on the selection of 400 Veterinary Officers in the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department, along with suspected irregularities across 13 other KPSC recruitment drives. Alleged malpractices included question-paper leaks, OMR sheet manipulation, and bribery, with candidates reportedly paying between ₹20 lakh and ₹80 lakh per post in exchange for leaked papers, answer keys, and rigged merit lists.
Among those arrested and jailed in the case are former KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar, former KPSC Controller of Examinations (IAS) Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, KPSC member B.V. Geetha, and BJP leader Basavaraj Kannale, who allegedly acted as a middleman.
CM Shivakumar's Key Directives
Chairing a video conference on Thursday with Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police from his official residence 'Krishna', CM Shivakumar directed that all examination staff be trained on the lines of election duty, with Deputy Commissioners required to submit a compliance report.
Key measures announced include: mandatory CCTV surveillance at all examination centres; a ban on mobile phones inside halls; security checks for all personnel — authorised or otherwise; and centre-specific sensitivity assessments to calibrate staffing and security equipment, which may be rented if required. Additional police personnel will be mobilised from other districts if the need arises.
'We have undertaken several reforms in the examination process,' Shivakumar said, warning that senior officials will be held personally accountable for any lapses.
Dual-Invigilator System and Anti-Impersonation Steps
In a first-of-its-kind measure, two invigilators will be deployed in every examination hall, with the stipulation that at least one must be from a government college. The dual-invigilator system is designed to conduct secondary checks after candidates enter and to maintain continuous vigilance throughout the examination. Officials have also been directed to take firm steps to prevent impersonators from sitting the exam.
Warning to Private Institutions and Fake-News Crackdown
CM Shivakumar issued a sharp warning that private aided colleges found to have facilitated malpractice at their centres face cancellation of institutional recognition. Stringent legal action, he said, will follow any examination malpractice by individuals.
The Police Department has been directed to actively monitor social media for rumours about the exam. Any misinformation must be immediately flagged to officials for an official rebuttal to be issued. Shivakumar urged candidates to trust only official sources and appear for the exam with confidence. The November 15 examination will serve as an early indicator of whether the KPSC can rebuild public trust after one of its worst-ever credibility crises.
Point of View
Not just a precaution — it signals that normal institutional safeguards in the KPSC have broken down so completely that the government must import an entirely different governance framework. The dual-invigilator rule and threat of college derecognition are genuinely new, but the deeper problem is structural: the scam implicated the KPSC's own chairman and a serving IAS officer, suggesting capture at the apex, not just the periphery. Procedural reform at the exam centre level addresses symptoms; independent oversight of the commission itself is the accountability gap the government has yet to close.
NationPress
12 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the KPSC exam scheduled for 15 November 2026?
It is the preliminary examination for 319 Gazetted Probationer posts being conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) across the state. The exam comes in the wake of a major recruitment scam and is being held under enhanced security protocols ordered by CM D.K. Shivakumar .
What was the KPSC recruitment scam about?
The scam centred on the alleged rigging of recruitment for 400 Veterinary Officers in Karnataka's Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department , with suspected irregularities across 13 other KPSC drives. Candidates allegedly paid bribes of ₹20 lakh to ₹80 lakh per post for leaked question papers and manipulated merit lists.
Who has been arrested in the KPSC scam?
Four individuals have been arrested and jailed: former KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar , former KPSC Controller of Examinations (IAS) Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar , KPSC member B.V. Geetha , and alleged middleman and BJP leader Basavaraj Kannale .
What new security measures has CM Shivakumar ordered for the exam?
CM Shivakumar has mandated CCTV surveillance at all centres, a complete ban on mobile phones, security checks for all personnel, and a dual-invigilator system — a first for KPSC exams — with at least one invigilator required to be from a government college. Officials are also tasked with assessing centre sensitivity and deploying additional police if needed.
What happens to private colleges found to have enabled malpractice?
CM Shivakumar warned that private aided colleges found to have facilitated examination malpractice will face cancellation of their institutional recognition . Individuals involved in malpractice will face stringent legal action.
