After a lengthy legal battle, Shyam Krishnan has secured the first rank in the Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) examination for the post of Chief (Industry and Infrastructure) in the State Planning Board, following the revaluation of answer papers.
Arun J. Pratap, a leader of a pro-Left organisation who had originally secured the first rank, has been pushed down to fifth place.
The development comes amid a Crime Branch investigation into alleged manipulation of answer-paper valuation and irregularities in the recruitment process.
The revaluation gave Shyam Krishnan 78.5 marks, while Arun J. Pratap secured 64.25 marks.
The revised ranking released by KPSC, follows the controversy over the original rank list, which was finalised despite 10 questions, numbered 9 to 18, being left unevaluated.
How the controversy came to light
The examination was conducted in July 2023 to recruit candidates for senior posts in the State Planning Board. The recruitment process covered three positions: Chief (Industry and Infrastructure), Chief (Perspective Planning Division) and Chief (Plan Co-ordination Division).
The controversy surrounding the Industry and Infrastructure post arose after it was discovered that only 18 of the 28 questions had been evaluated in the answer papers. Questions numbered 9 to 18, carrying a total of 58 marks, were reportedly left unevaluated in the answer sheets of all 228 candidates.
The omission meant that candidates who had answered those questions correctly did not receive marks for their answers. The anomaly assumed greater significance because the candidate who secured the original first rank had reportedly skipped four questions and given incorrect answers to six others among the questions concerned.
The issue triggered demands for an investigation into the valuation process. Shyam Krishnan pursued a legal battle over the irregularities, eventually leading to the revaluation that changed the ranking.
The Kerala High Court had criticised the PSC in sharp terms, questioning the Commission’s argument against stopping the investigation and stating that its position was not justified.
The revaluation was carried out while the Crime Branch investigation was under way.
According to reports, the investigation has identified the alleged active roles of two PSC officials in the serious anomalies. They are said to be Deputy Secretary P. Satheesh and Additional Secretary R. Hari. However, reports suggest that the alleged conspiracy may not be confined to these two officials.
The investigation is examining whether the valuation irregularities were deliberate and whether senior PSC officials and others were involved. Allegations of political influence and bribery have also been raised in connection with the case.
The notification for the post was published in 2022, with a salary scale of Rs 123,700–Rs 166,800. The examination was conducted in July 2023, and the shortlist was published in February 2025. The interview followed, and the original rank list was published on May 31, 2025.
The PSC has also released the rank list for the Perspective Planning Division. It is a one-man list.
The latest development is one of several instances of alleged improprieties involving the Kerala PSC. The Commission has long been the hope of Kerala’s youth seeking government jobs. However, allegations of favouritism, improprieties, corruption and examination anomalies have raised serious questions about the transparency and credibility of its recruitment process.
