# KPSC recruitment scam investigation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kpsc-recruitment-scam-investigation
> Updated: 2026-09-02T13:01:06.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 4.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities within the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment process. The probe focuses on the recruitment of veterinary officers, where candidates reportedly paid bribes between Rs 70 lakh and Rs 80 lakh to secure positions.

In late August 2026, the ED conducted searches at the Bengaluru and Bareilly residences of IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, a former KPSC Controller of Examinations. Following these searches, Gangwar was reported missing, leading Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi to accuse the Karnataka state government of being a “partner” in the fraud. 

By August 31, 2026, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested Gangwar. The CID is seeking 14 days of custody to investigate the manipulation of OMR answer sheets and irregularities in the evaluation process. 

On September 2, 2026, the CID revealed a “three-stage fraud network” involving the leaking of examination questions, the manipulation of OMR sheets to inflate scores, and the influencing of final interviews. Investigators found that candidates allegedly paid for model questions and were housed in resorts across Bengaluru, Tumakuru, and Andhra Pradesh to prepare answers before being transported to exam centers. 

The CID also seized hall tickets linked to the 2025 B Group recruitment examination, suggesting the racket may involve additional recruitment cycles. Regarding Gangwar, investigators reported he allegedly received real-time updates from influential individuals to evade the ED probe, traveling through Delhi, Noida, and Sri Lanka before returning to a resort near Kempegowda International Airport to face questioning.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-02: KPSC recruitment scam: CID uncovers three-stage fraud network

The CID has uncovered a three-stage fraud network in the KPSC recruitment scam involving leaked questions, manipulated OMR sheets, and influenced interviews, implicating IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kpsc-recruitment-scam-cid-uncovers-three-stage-fraud-network

### 2026-08-31: IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar arrested in KPSC recruitment scam

IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar faces court proceedings following his arrest in the KPSC recruitment scam involving alleged OMR sheet manipulation and veterinary officer hiring irregularities.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ias-officer-gyanendra-kumar-arrested-in-kpsc-recruitment-scam

### 2026-08-28: Pralhad Joshi alleges Karnataka government involvement in KPSC scam

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi accused the Karnataka government of involvement in a KPSC recruitment scam following the disappearance of an IAS officer during an Enforcement Directorate probe.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pralhad-joshi-alleges-karnataka-government-involvement-in-kpsc-scam

### 2026-08-22: IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar's homes raided by ED

The Enforcement Directorate raided IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar's homes in Bengaluru and Bareilly regarding alleged bribery and recruitment irregularities in the KPSC veterinary officer exams.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/karnataka-ias-officer-gyanendra-gangwar-traced-after-missing-reports

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Cite as: KPSC recruitment scam investigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kpsc-recruitment-scam-investigation