Bengaluru: The Karnataka Home Department on Thursday said it has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards examination malpractices as it reviewed preparations for recruitment examinations for more than 70,000 state government posts scheduled over the coming months.

A high-level meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Rajender Kataria directed district authorities to ensure comprehensive planning and coordination among departments to conduct the examinations in a secure, transparent and fair manner, according to an official statement.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from the police, revenue and Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), along with Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police.

"The Government has adopted a policy of zero tolerance towards examination malpractices. Strict action will be taken under the Karnataka Public Examination (Measures for Prevention of Corruption and Unfair Means in Recruitment) Act, 2023 against anyone found violating the law," the Home Department said.

Officials were instructed to ensure robust security arrangements at examination centres, secure transportation and storage of confidential examination materials, adequate police deployment, traffic management, emergency response mechanisms and continuous monitoring by senior officers.

Kataria also directed officials to remain alert against question paper leaks, impersonation, organised cheating, the use of electronic devices and other unfair practices.

Cyber Crime Units and Intelligence Wings have been asked to closely monitor digital platforms and take immediate action against any attempt to compromise the integrity of the examinations.

According to the Home Department, written examinations for recruitment to 3,991 Civil Police Constable posts will be held on August 2, followed by examinations for 1,600 Armed Police Constable posts on September 6 and 2,314 Special Police Constable posts in the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), India Reserve Battalion (IRB) and Karnataka State Industrial Security Force (KSISF) on September 20.

The department reiterated its commitment to conducting all recruitment examinations in a free, fair, transparent and secure manner while ensuring equal opportunity for candidates and maintaining public confidence in the recruitment process.