IAS officer suspended after arrest over KPSC recruitment exam row

The Karnataka Government has suspended IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar pending an investigation into alleged corruption in public service commission (KPSC) recruitment processes. The suspension was issued following his arrest on August 29, 2026, in connection with Vidhana Soudha Police Station Case No. 89/2026 under Section 318(3) of the Bengaluru Notified Statutory and Section 10 of the Karnataka Public Examination Act, 2023.

Gangwar, who was the Director of MSME in Bengaluru and Controller of Examinations at the KPSC, is accused of engaging in corrupt practices during recruitment procedures. The government cited material seized during a search and seizure operation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002, which indicated widespread corruption in KPSC recruitment processes.

Gangwar, arrested on August 29, was produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody. He was subsequently taken into police custody and is under suspension until further orders, receiving a subsistence allowance as per rule 4 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.