Bengaluru: In a major move to strengthen transparency and credibility in government recruitment, the Karnataka government has constituted a high-level Competitive Examinations and Recruitment Reform Committee under the chairmanship of former Chief Secretary S V Ranganath (1975:Karnataka). The committee will recommend comprehensive reforms to the state’s competitive examination and recruitment process as the government prepares to fill more than 70,000 vacancies across various departments.
The decision comes amid growing concerns over recruitment irregularities in the state and follows Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s directive that Karnataka should emerge as a national model for transparent and technology-driven recruitment.
Committee to Recommend Comprehensive Reforms
According to an official statement, the newly constituted committee has been tasked with reviewing the existing competitive examination and recruitment framework and suggesting reforms to enhance transparency, efficiency, accountability and credibility in the selection process.
The committee comprises some of Karnataka’s most experienced retired bureaucrats:
- S V Ranganath, Former Chief Secretary – Chairman
- T M Vijay Bhaskar, Former Chief Secretary
- Vandita Sharma, Former Chief Secretary
- L K Atheeq, Former Chief Secretary
The panel is expected to examine the current recruitment system and recommend measures to eliminate procedural weaknesses and improve public confidence.
Over 70,000 Government Vacancies to Be Filled
Chairing a high-level review meeting at Vidhana Soudha, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said Karnataka is undertaking one of its largest recruitment drives and stressed that the process must be conducted with complete integrity.
He said the state aims to fill more than 70,000 government posts, adding that the recruitment exercise should become a benchmark for the rest of the country.
“There should be no scope for any examination malpractice. Karnataka should set an example for the nation in conducting transparent recruitment,” the Chief Minister said.
He also instructed officials to leverage the state’s technological capabilities to ensure professional, secure and credible examinations.
36,773 Posts to Be Filled in Next Six Months
The government informed that the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) and the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) have already scheduled recruitment examinations over the next six months.
The examinations will be conducted to fill 36,773 government posts, with nearly 35 lakh candidates expected to participate.
The Chief Minister directed authorities to strictly follow the examination guidelines and adopt best practices followed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) wherever necessary.
Strict Accountability for District Officials
Emphasising accountability, Shivakumar said senior district officials would be personally responsible for ensuring fair and transparent conduct of examinations.
He directed that:
- Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Superintendents of Police (SPs) and senior Education Department officials will be accountable for examinations in their respective districts.
- Every stage of the examination process must be video-recorded.
- Officials and staff engaged in examination duties will not be allowed to carry mobile phones.
- Strict vigilance should be maintained to prevent educational institutions or managements from engaging in examination malpractice.
- Police should keep coaching centres under close surveillance during the recruitment process.
The Chief Minister also warned that any irregularity or examination fraud would invite strict action against the responsible district-level officers.
Background: KPSC Under Scrutiny
The decision to overhaul the recruitment system comes against the backdrop of controversies surrounding the Karnataka Public Service Commission.
The KPSC has been facing intense scrutiny following the suspension of its Chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukarby Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on July 13 over allegations that he facilitated the illegal selection of his two daughters as Industrial Extension Officers.
Additionally, allegations of large-scale irregularities in the recruitment of veterinary doctors are currently under judicial scrutiny before the High Court of Karnataka.
The latest reform initiative is therefore seen as an attempt to restore public confidence in Karnataka’s recruitment process while ensuring fairness, transparency and accountability in future examinations.
Senior Officials Attend Review Meeting
The high-level meeting was attended by Home Minister Priyank Kharge, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, and other senior government officials, who reviewed preparations for the upcoming recruitment examinations and discussed measures to ensure a malpractice-free selection process.
