Karnataka Cabinet Panel Orders Action Plan to Plug Exam Paper Leaks and Ensure Transparency
The Karnataka state government's newly formed Cabinet Sub-Committee on Student Issues and Education Reforms has initiated its first major directive to safeguard public examinations and recruitment. During its maiden meeting held in Bengaluru, the sub-committee directed S.R. Niranjana, Vice-Chairman of the Karnataka State Higher Education Council, to draft and submit a detailed action plan focused on eliminating question paper leaks, curbing exam malpractices, and establishing total transparency in public recruitment examinations across the state.
The five-member sub-committee is chaired by Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader and includes key cabinet leaders such as School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa, Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy, Medical Education Minister Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil, and Home Minister Priyank Kharge. The panel was formed in response to growing nationwide student discontent regarding competitive examination irregularities, including national NEET paper leak allegations and local controversies surrounding recruitment exams conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).
In addition to addressing examination security, the panel discussed reforming the KPSC's evaluation framework to align more closely with Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) standards. Ministers highlighted that systemic flaws and paper leaks undermine meritocracy, depriving qualified candidates of civil service and educational opportunities. The sub-committee also announced plans to launch an interactive web portal for students, parents, and educators to submit suggestions for broader systemic reforms, alongside statewide field visits to engage directly with local academic communities.
