Published Oct 25, 2026 | 10:43 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 25, 2026 | 10:43 PM
Former Keralam Governor Rajendra Arlekar.
Former Keralam Governor Rajendra Arlekar, a week before demitting office on October 23, recommended the removal of Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman M.R. Baiju and 15 members, referring the matter to President Droupadi Murmu on October 15, according to Lok Bhavan sources.
The unprecedented move followed allegations of irregularities in PSC examinations and the commission’s reported non-cooperation with investigators.
Under Article 317 of the Constitution, only the President can remove PSC members, following a Supreme Court inquiry into allegations of misbehaviour.
The Governor’s move followed the Special Investigation Team (SIT)’s submission to the Kerala High Court that it had received 180 complaints of irregularities against the PSC, with at least nine warranting detailed investigation after preliminary scrutiny.
The HC had also questioned the PSC members’ alleged non-cooperation with the probe, urging them to provide statements and documents.
The controversy centres on the evaluation of an economics examination for three Kerala Planning Board posts. Of the 228 answer sheets, Question 9 in 177 papers and Questions 10 to 18 in all 228 papers were reportedly left unevaluated or not assigned to experts.
Appointments were subsequently made using rank lists prepared from the partially evaluated papers. The anomaly came to light after K. Shyam Krishnan, who secured the third rank, obtained his answer sheet through the RTI. A Crime Branch investigation is underway.
While the PSC maintained that the partial evaluation resulted from a clerical error rather than deliberate wrongdoing, the state government described it as an “innovative fraud.”
Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the Governor’s recommendation as illegal and unconstitutional, accusing him of misusing his powers. He argued that the removal process required a Supreme Court inquiry and questioned whether the UDF government supported the move, warning that any direct or indirect backing would carry political consequences.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
Also Read: In Keralam, ED report on Pinarayi Vijayan puts Congress’s stand on central agencies to the test
