Karnataka's principal opposition party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Friday, 24 July alleged widespread irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC)'s recruitment of Veterinary Officers, calling on the state government to immediately freeze the selection list and order a fresh examination. The allegations span bribery, nepotism, and violations of reservation norms for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates.

Key Allegations Against KPSC

Leader of the Opposition Chalavadi Narayanaswamy claimed the recruitment process breached government norms governing backlog vacancies reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). He alleged that SC/ST candidates were subjected to competitive examinations for 58 backlog posts — a practice reportedly prohibited by a 2025 government order. The KPSC had originally issued a notification in 2024 to fill 400 Veterinary Officer posts, comprising 342 general vacancies and the 58 backlog posts.

Most strikingly, Narayanaswamy alleged that candidates were purportedly asked to pay up to ₹80 lakh to secure appointments as Veterinary Officers — a claim that, if verified, would represent one of the more brazen instances of public service corruption in the state in recent years.

Nepotism and Merit Concerns

The BJP leader further alleged that the selection process sidelined meritorious candidates, including gold medallists from veterinary colleges, in favour of those with lower scores and repeated examination failures. He specifically claimed that a close relative of the suspended KPSC chairman had been appointed, adding a layer of institutional conflict-of-interest to the controversy.

Narayanaswamy demanded that SC/ST backlog posts be filled purely on merit, without competitive examinations that he argued were both illegal under the 2025 order and selectively applied. The state government has reportedly not yet responded to these allegations, and he questioned who authorised the use of competitive examinations for backlog vacancies.

Agriculture Officer Recruitment Also Under Scanner

The allegations extended beyond veterinary recruitment. Narayanaswamy also pointed to alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Agriculture Officers (AO) and Assistant Agriculture Officers (AAO) conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). He noted that students were actively protesting the issue at the University of Agricultural Sciences campus in Bengaluru, suggesting the discontent is not confined to a single recruitment drive.

This comes amid a broader pattern of public service recruitment controversies in Karnataka, where KPSC has faced scrutiny over multiple selection processes in recent years.

BJP's Remarks on NEET Protests

Separately, Narayanaswamy commented on the ongoing protests over the alleged NEET question paper leak, accusing political parties of 'hijacking' student demonstrations at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. He argued that the Union government had already taken necessary corrective action — including conducting a re-examination and announcing results — and questioned the justification for continuing the agitation.

What Happens Next

The BJP has demanded an immediate halt to the KPSC selection process and a court-monitored or independent inquiry into the alleged bribery and reservation norm violations. The state government's response — or absence of one — will be closely watched, particularly given the political sensitivity of SC/ST reservation rights in Karnataka. Whether the selection list is withheld and a fresh examination ordered remains to be seen.