KEA introduces new anti-cheating measures: biometric verification, CCTV monitoring and permanent debarment for malpractice in the Police Constable recruitment exam
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has announced new measures for the Police Civil Constable recruitment examination scheduled on August 2, 2026. The examination will be conducted with biometric attendance, CCTV surveillance, mandatory OMR guidelines, and strict anti-malpractice protocols. The Police Recruitment Division has also permanently debarred 216 candidates found involved in examination irregularities.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has announced a series of measures for the Police Civil Constable recruitment examination to strengthen examination security and prevent malpractice. The recruitment examination for 3,991 Police Civil Constable posts will be conducted on August 2 across more than 800 examination centres in Karnataka, with over 4.54 lakh candidates expected to appear.
The measures come after concerns over recruitment examination irregularities and are intended to improve transparency in the recruitment process. The initiative also follows the Centre's efforts to strengthen laws against examination malpractice.
KEA Police Constable Exam to Follow New Security Protocols
KEA has introduced multiple verification and monitoring systems for the recruitment examination. Officials said the sealed question paper packets will be opened only in the presence of the centre superintendent and five candidates at each examination centre before distribution to examination halls.
Candidates will be allowed to remain present during the opening of the sealed question paper boxes until the papers reach the examination rooms.
"The examination process has been structured to improve transparency at every stage, from question paper handling to candidate verification."
Strict Dress Code for Karnataka Police Recruitment Exam
Candidates will not be permitted to carry watches, electronic gadgets, Bluetooth devices or other communication equipment inside the examination halls.
However, KEA has clarified that Mangalsutra, nose studs, Janivara (sacred thread) and Shivadhara may be worn, considering religious and cultural practices. Examination authorities have been instructed not to insist on removing these items.
To prevent the misuse of concealed communication devices, ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) specialists have been deployed at identified sensitive examination centres to inspect candidates whenever necessary.
KEA Introduces Mandatory Fifth Column in OMR Sheets
KEA has also revised the instructions for answering OMR sheets. Candidates must fill the fifth column if they do not know the answer to a question. Leaving either the answer or the fifth column blank will attract a 0.25-mark deduction.
The authority said scanned copies of candidates' OMR sheets will be uploaded on the official KEA website within 30 minutes after the examination concludes to improve transparency.
"Candidates should ensure that every question contains either a selected answer or the mandatory fifth-column response to avoid negative marking."
Biometric Attendance and CCTV Surveillance Across Centres
The examination will be monitored through live webcasting, while network jammers will be installed at examination centres to block unauthorised communication.
Candidates will undergo fingerprint authentication and facial recognition-based biometric attendance before entering examination halls.
KEA has instructed candidates to report to their examination centres at least one hour before the commencement of the examination. Faculty members from Government Pre-University Colleges will also be deployed for examination supervision.
216 Candidates Permanently Debarred From Government Recruitment Exams
The Karnataka Police Recruitment Division has permanently debarred 216 candidates who were found involved in malpractice during previous police recruitment examinations.
According to the department, these candidates will not be permitted to participate in any future government recruitment examinations.
The list of permanently debarred candidates has been shared with the Karnataka Examinations Authority to prevent them from submitting applications for recruitment examinations being conducted to fill 7,905 vacancies in the Civil Police, Armed Police, Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), and Karnataka State Industrial Security Force (KSISF).
Officials said the action has been taken to strengthen the integrity of recruitment examinations and prevent repeat instances of examination malpractice.
Background of Examination Reforms
The latest measures follow increased scrutiny of recruitment examinations in Karnataka amid allegations of recruitment irregularities in recent years. Both the Union Government and the Karnataka Government have introduced measures to prevent unfair practices in competitive examinations. KEA's revised examination protocol includes biometric verification, digital monitoring, stricter OMR evaluation rules and enhanced surveillance to ensure that the Police Civil Constable recruitment examination is conducted in accordance with prescribed procedures.
