Shivamogga District administration makes elaborate arrangements for KPSC exams to be held on Sunday

The district administration has put in place elaborate security and monitoring arrangements for the Karnataka Public Service Commission’s (KPSC) preliminary examination for Gazetted Probationers, to be held in 24 centres in the city on Sunday.

Briefing presspersons in Shivamogga on Friday, Deputy Commissioner Prakash G.T. Nittali said the district administration had taken stringent measures than ever before as per the instructions from the KPSC. The examination is for 319 Group A and Group B posts for 2026-27. In Shivamogga, 8,466 candidates will appear, including 156 persons with disabilities and two transgender candidates. Fifteen candidates have sought scribes. The examination will be held in two sessions - 10 a.m to 12 noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Question papers and other confidential material will be kept at the Treasury and moved to the centres by route officers under police escort. Chief examiners and route officers have been trained for the task, Mr. Nittali said.

An observer has been deployed at each centre. There will be two invigilators in each room. A dress code officer will also be posted at every centre. CCTV cameras have been installed in all 357 examination rooms. Footage will be monitored from a “war room” at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, and webcasting will also be used. The KPSC will monitor the proceedings as well.

Prohibitory orders under Section 163 will be in force around the centres. Each centre will have an inspector-rank police officer, and about 150 constables will be deployed in all. The district police will also monitor social media for rumours and fake news, said Superintendent of Police B. Nikhil.

Zilla Panchayat CEO Rishi Anand and others were present at the press conference.