KPSC prelims: Karnataka Chief Minister instructs DCs to provide ‘poll security model’ measures to prevent malpractices

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar chairing a virtual meeting with Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police, in Bengaluru on Thursday.

To prevent malpractices during the preliminary examinations to be conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) on Sunday for recruiting 319 Gazetted Probationers, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has issued strict instructions to Deputy Commissioners of all districts to impart training to examination staff on the lines of election duty.

In a virtual meeting to review the examination preparations with the DCs and Superintendents of Police on Thursday, the Chief Minister also directed them to file a compliance report on the measures taken for ensuring conduct of examinations in a foolproof manner.

“We have undertaken several reforms in the examination process,” he said, instructing Deputy Commissioners to strictly enforce the guidelines issued by the KPSC. Continuous surveillance must be maintained through CCTV cameras at all examination centres, he said.

He instructed the Police Department to put in place robust security arrangements similar to those used during police recruitment exams. No unauthorised person should be permitted on the examination centre premises, and even authorised personnel must undergo security checks, he said.

The Chief Minister also instructed officials to assess the sensitivity of each examination centre and deploy staff accordingly. Additional security equipment may be rented, and extra police personnel should be mobilised from other locations if needed. He strictly warned that candidates must not enter examination centres with mobile phones, adding that senior officials themselves will be held accountable for any lapses.

Stating that for the first time, two invigilators will be deployed in every examination hall, the Chief Minister told the authorities concerned that at least one of them must be from a government college. This dual-invigilator system is intended to conduct secondary checks after candidates enter the hall and to maintain strict vigil throughout the exam. He also directed officials to take firm measures to prevent impersonators from appearing for the exam.

The Chief Minister warned that if examination centres located in private and aided colleges are found to have facilitated malpractice, the recognition of such institutions will be cancelled.

Stressing that there must be zero tolerance for the spread of fake news regarding the exam, Mr. Shivakumar directed the Police Department to actively monitor social media. If any rumour surfaces, it must be immediately flagged to officials so that an official clarification can be issued.