Constable Recruitment Controversy: Karnataka Govt Blames OMR Misconception

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Monday sought to calm the controversy surrounding the police constable recruitment examination, saying the unrest was caused by a misunderstanding over OMR sheet and question booklet serial numbers, rather than procedural lapses in the conduct of the test.

The clarification came a day after hundreds of aspirants at an examination centre in Tikota, Vijayapura district, walked out of the written test, alleging irregularities in the distribution of question papers and OMR sheets. Many demanded that the examination be conducted again.

Addressing reporters, Kharge said some candidates mistakenly believed that the serial numbers on the OMR answer sheet and the question booklet had to match. He maintained that no such requirement existed and that recruitment guidelines had never specified such a condition.

According to the minister, officials had attempted to explain the issue to candidates before they left the examination hall. However, once they exited with examination material, they could not be allowed to return, as doing so would violate established recruitment rules. He added that the government would examine what could be done within the framework of existing regulations.

Responding to criticism over the detention of protesters, Kharge said the police were compelled to act after demonstrators allegedly disrupted the examination centre and attempted to breach security arrangements. Maintaining law and order, he said, was essential to ensure that other candidates could complete the examination without interference.

Rejecting opposition demands for his resignation, the minister questioned why leaders of the previous BJP government had not stepped down during the PSI recruitment scam. He also remarked that the issue affected only around 120 candidates, while lakhs had appeared for the examination across the state.

Candidates, however, claimed the question papers reached them about 30 minutes late and alleged inconsistencies in the distribution process across classrooms. Officials said those who left the hall carrying question papers and OMR sheets had breached KEA regulations, making re-entry impossible under existing rules.