Overview
- The Kerala government issued orders requiring all departments and public sector bodies to report vacancies to the Kerala Public Service Commission within three weeks, with secretaries told to take disciplinary action against officials who fail to comply.
- A separate P&ARD order asked departments to compile and hand over lists of all temporary staff, including contract, daily wage and employment-exchange hires, on the same three-week timetable.
- The PSC has activated its internal vigilance wing to probe recent alleged lapses in rank lists and valuation, and ministers have warned they may launch a wider investigation if the internal probe does not satisfy them.
- Candidates in the Research Officer exam have formally complained that the paper did not meet the prescribed postgraduate standard and that the answer key made option 'B' correct unusually often, and they have sought cancellation and approached the Chief Minister.
- The current Commission was appointed under the previous government and has five vacancies, and officials say the measures are intended to curb irregular temporary appointments caused by delayed vacancy reporting and to restore confidence in public recruitment.