Amid KPSC probe, govt drafts rules for stringent exam law

Bengaluru: Coinciding with the investigation into alleged “scams” at the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), the state government has published draft rules to operationalise a stringent law enacted to curb corruption and unfair practices in recruitment examinations.The Karnataka Public Examination (Measures for Prevention of Corruption and Unfair Means in Recruitment) Act, 2023, was notified in September 2024.Under the law, those found guilty of indulging in “unfair means” face imprisonment of five to 12 years and a fine ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 10 crore.The draft rules come nearly three years after the legislation was enacted. According to sources, Home Minister Priyank Kharge recently learnt that rules had not been framed to operationalise the law.“It’s better late than never. The draft rules have come at the right time, considering the erosion of credibility of the KPSC and large-scale discrepancies in recruitment. We will ensure that the law is implemented to a T,” Priyank told DH.The draft rules, published by the Home Department on August 24, propose that investigations into offences, including question paper leaks, be completed within three months.KPSC ‘scam’: IAS officer Gyanendra Gangwar, ‘mastermind’ Basavaraj Kannale sent to CID custody“The investigating agency in charge of investigation of such offence/malpractices shall complete the investigation within three months and should submit its report to the jurisdictional court,” the draft rules state.The law allows the government to designate courts for trying the offences. The draft rules state that the trial “should commence within six months” of the submission of the investigation report.The draft rules also permit bodies conducting recruitment examinations to deploy technologies such as biometric verification, QR code and barcode-based tracking, GPS tracking, CCTV surveillance, artificial intelligence-based anomaly detection, encrypted transmissions and digital attendance.They prescribe longer retention periods for examination records, including five years for master question paper custody records, answer sheets and at least one year for CCTV footage from sensitive facilities.Candidates, unless specifically permitted, will not be allowed to enter examination centres with mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth or other communication devices, calculators, scanners or recording devices, unauthorised written or printed material, blank paper or weapons.“Possession of any prohibited article may be treated as use or attempted use of unfair means, subject to the facts of the case,” the draft rules state.

Source: Deccan Herald