Karnataka CM sanctions prosecution of IAS officer Gyanendra Gangwar in KPSC scam

What happened in the KPSC recruitment scam

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has sanctioned the prosecution of suspended IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, marking a decisive administrative crackdown on corruption within state public recruitment.

Gangwar, a 2016-batch IAS officer who served as Controller of Examinations at the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) from early 2024 to March 2026, was arrested on 29 August. Investigators allege he facilitated the leakage of question papers and answer keys for the Veterinary Officer recruitment examination held in January 2026 for 400 posts.

Announcing the decision, Chief Minister Shivakumar affirmed that the state government maintains zero tolerance for administrative misconduct. "Permission has been granted to prosecute IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar in a corruption case related to the Karnataka Public Service Commission recruitment scam," the Chief Minister stated, adding that the administration will not permit actions that jeopardise the future of job-seeking youth.

How the paper leak was orchestrated

According to investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Gangwar conspired with middleman Basavaraj Kannale to leak confidential examination materials prior to the exams held on 8 and 9 January 2026.

Kannale allegedly collected illegal payments ranging from ₹20 lakh to ₹80 lakh per paper from candidates, accumulating approximately ₹1.5 crore in total. Of this sum, investigators report that ₹1.30 crore was handed directly to Gangwar, while remaining funds were spent on gold jewellery, flight tickets, and logistical arrangements.

Investigating officers discovered that selected candidates were taken to a resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru, where they were given leaked question papers and answer sheets to memorise under supervision before being transported to examination halls. When the final rank list was released in July 2026, at least 10 candidates who had received the leaked material ranked in the top 20.

What happens next in the legal proceedings

The prosecution sanction granted under Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita allows the CID and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to formally present chargesheets against Gangwar under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the Karnataka Public Examination (Measures for Prevention of Corruption and Unfair Means of Recruitment) Act, 2023.

Gangwar remains in custody as parallel money-laundering probes continue. The CID is scheduled to submit its final chargesheet by 26 November, completing the statutory 90-day window following his arrest. Meanwhile, the Karnataka government is reviewing broader institutional reforms to ensure total integrity and transparency across future public recruitment tests.