KPSC exams to be conducted with election-level security: CM

Bengaluru: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has directed Deputy Commissioners to train all examination staff on the lines of election procedures and submit a report ahead of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) preliminary examination for 319 Gazetted Probationers' posts scheduled for Sunday, November 15.

The KPSC is conducting the preliminary examination for 319 Gazetted Probationers' posts, comprising 202 Group B and 117 Group A positions. A total of 345 examination sub-centres have been established across 15 districts, including Kalaburagi, Raichur, Ballari, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Dharwad, Belagavi, Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Dakshina Kannada, Hassan, Davanagere, Tumakuru, Mysuru and Bengaluru Urban.

The Chief Minister reviewed preparations for the preliminary examination through a video conference with Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police at his home office, Krishna, on Thursday.

After receiving details about the examination arrangements, the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that the examination is conducted with complete transparency and without allowing any malpractice. He said several reforms had been introduced in the examination process and instructed Deputy Commissioners to strictly follow the guidelines issued by the KPSC. Continuous monitoring through CCTV cameras must be ensured at examination centres.

He also directed the police department to make appropriate security arrangements on the lines of police recruitment examinations. Entry of unauthorised persons into examination centre premises will not be permitted. Even those authorised to enter must undergo security checks and carry only items permitted under the examination guidelines. Officials were instructed to identify sensitive examination centres and deploy staff accordingly.

Additional security equipment may be hired if required. The Chief Minister also directed that additional police personnel be deployed from other locations wherever necessary. Candidates will not be allowed to enter examination centres with mobile phones under any circumstances. He warned that senior officials would be held responsible if such violations occurred.

Two invigilators in every examination hall

For the first time, two invigilators will be deployed in every examination hall, with at least one of them mandatorily being a staff member of a government college. The arrangement is intended to ensure proper verification of identity cards, thorough checking of candidates and continuous monitoring, including from the rear of examination halls.

The Chief Minister also directed officials to take measures to prevent impersonators from appearing for the examination. He warned that the licences of private aided colleges would be cancelled if examination malpractice was found to have been facilitated at their centres. Strict legal action would be taken against anyone involved in examination irregularities, he added. The Chief Minister directed the police department to closely monitor social media platforms to prevent the circulation of false information regarding the examination. Any rumours or misinformation must immediately be brought to the notice of officials, who would issue appropriate clarifications. He stressed that candidates and media organisations must verify information through official sources before sharing it. Shivakumar urged candidates not to pay attention to rumours and to appear for the examination with confidence.

New measures to prevent malpractice

KPSC Controller of Examinations H. Prasanna briefed the meeting on several new measures being introduced for the first time to prevent examination irregularities. The key measures include:

Five-option OMR system: Candidates must compulsorily mark the fifth option (Option 5) if they do not know the answer. No question can be left unanswered.

Triple-copy OMR sheets: Each OMR sheet will have three copies. One will be given to the candidate, the second will be used by the KPSC for evaluation, and the third will be securely stored in the Deputy Commissioner's or KPSC's strong room to ensure transparency.

CCTV cameras and mobile jammers: CCTV cameras and mobile jammers will be installed in all examination halls. Superintendents of Police must personally verify that the jammers are functioning properly. Two invigilators per examination hall: Two invigilators will be appointed to verify identity cards, conduct checks and monitor candidates, including from the rear of the examination hall.

OMR sheets to be uploaded on examination day: All scanned OMR copies will be uploaded to the KPSC website on the day of the examination for public viewing. Scanning facilities have been arranged in 12 districts.

Aadhaar-based verification for future examinations

The Chief Minister directed the e-Governance Department to introduce Aadhaar-based identity verification at examination centres in future examinations to prevent impersonation. He also instructed officials to establish OMR scanning centres in all district headquarters in collaboration with the Technical Education Department to facilitate faster declaration of results. Deputy Commissioners were further directed to prioritise the issuance of caste validity certificates. The Chief Minister noted that recruitment processes were being delayed despite the announcement of results for several posts due to delays in issuing validity certificates. He said such delays must not be allowed.

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The Hans India