Bengaluru, May 3, 2025 – On a day that was supposed to mark the beginning of a hopeful chapter for thousands of aspirants, the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has instead found itself at the center of a fiery political and administrative controversy. What began as a technical glitch and a translation error during the preliminary exam has now snowballed into a full-blown political battle, with allegations of vengeance, mismanagement, and systemic discrimination flying thick and fast.
The Backdrop: A Lingering Language Blunder
The current crisis stems from the KPSC Preliminary Examination, where Kannada-medium candidates were subjected to incorrect translations in the question paper. The issue, which many believe cost deserving candidates their rightful chance, forced several aspirants to approach the Karnataka High Court. The court ruled in their favor, granting them permission to appear for the Main Examination, which began today, May 3.
Midnight Applications, Hall Ticket Havoc
Candidates claim they were asked to submit applications as late as midnight on May 2, with many receiving their hall tickets only hours before the examination. Reports emerged of candidates queuing outside KPSC offices late into the night, some without access to xerox facilities, clean drinking water, restrooms, or shelter.
“How can one write a life-changing exam under such distressing circumstances?” questioned Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He accused the ruling Congress government of deliberately harassing the candidates who took legal action, calling it an act of “vengeance” and “inhuman governance.”
BJP Launches Fierce Attack on Congress
Several BJP leaders, including R. Ashoka and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, launched scathing attacks on the Congress-led state government, calling it a “Tughlaq regime.” They criticized the KPSC’s operational chaos, questioning the logic of scheduling a critical state examination without proper planning or communication.
“Hundreds of dreams have been crushed. Candidates who studied day and night for years were pushed into chaos at the last moment. This is nothing short of institutional cruelty,” Ashoka said.
Joshi echoed the sentiment, asking, “How can women from remote villages reach Bengaluru overnight to collect hall tickets and appear for the exam the next morning?”
Allegations of Discrimination and Neglect
The issue has also raised serious concerns of bias against rural and Kannada-medium candidates. Ashoka slammed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for failing to uphold his promise made during the last legislative session — where he assured the protection of Kannada-medium aspirants’ interests.
“You said you’ll call an all-party meeting. You said you’ll protect Kannada-speaking candidates. Instead, your government has harassed them. Their curse will not spare this government,” Ashoka wrote in a blistering statement.
A Damning Reflection on KPSC and Governance
While the KPSC has remained largely silent, the backlash has been intense. The commission, once seen as a gateway to public service for Karnataka’s youth, is now being branded a “cursed institution” by critics across party lines. Allegations range from frequent exam errors, lack of transparency, to gross insensitivity towards candidate welfare.
Opposition leaders have demanded the Chief Minister’s resignation, stating that the entire episode reflects the collapse of administrative ethics under the Congress rule.
JD(S) and Others Join the Chorus
The JD(S) too has joined the chorus, condemning the alleged demand that female candidates remove mangalsutras and toe rings at exam centers — calling it “unacceptable” and “humiliating.”
“This is no way to treat future civil servants. Instead of nurturing talent, the government is creating obstacles. The KPSC has failed, and so has the government,” said a JD(S) spokesperson.
The Human Cost: Aspirants Pay the Price
Behind the political drama lies the human story — of young men and women who spent years preparing for the KAS exam, only to be thrown into uncertainty at the last minute. Candidates who travelled from rural districts faced logistical nightmares, with no place to stay, no transport, and barely any clarity on where or when to appear.
One female candidate from North Karnataka said, “I had no idea where my center was until 2 AM. I stayed outside the station until dawn, afraid and exhausted. How am I supposed to write a three-hour paper in this condition?”
