The Kerala High Court questioned whether the State Public Service Commission (PSC) was cooperating with an investigation into alleged irregularities in a Planning Board examination for the post of chief of its Industry and Infrastructure Division. Justice A. Badharudeen said during oral observations that the circumstances could point to a wider conspiracy, and that the failure to evaluate answers carrying 58 marks was itself a violation.
The commission is challenging government approval to prosecute its staff and the registration of a criminal case. It has said questions 9 through 18 were not sent to evaluators for 228 candidates because of a computer glitch. PSC representatives also said Economics questions had not been assigned to evaluators with the appropriate expertise. The court asked why the commission had not submitted a statement to the Crime Branch.
The PSC said it had corrected errors in evaluation and the rank list, and stressed its constitutional autonomy and the lack of involvement by particular staff members. The court said officials must protect the aspirations of young people and ensure public recruitment is free from influence or manipulation. The case will continue.