Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) denied media reports alleging that answer sheets from the Combined Civil Services Examination-IV (Volume IV), conducted on July 12, 2025, were transported in unsecured cardboard boxes in Salem district.

In a statement, TNPSC clarified that all Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) answer sheets — including those from Salem — were securely sealed in stainless steel boxes and delivered to the Commission's office in Chennai by the morning of July 13, 2025, under round-the-clock surveillance. “There is no truth in claims that answer sheets were kept in cardboard boxes,” said A. Shanmuga Sundaram, Controller of Examinations, TNPSC.

The Commission emphasized that the transport of answer sheets followed strict protocols. The entire process was video-recorded and monitored through CCTV surveillance to ensure transparency and security. Media reports showing cardboard boxes were misleading, TNPSC said, adding that these boxes contained only surplus question papers, not answer scripts.

TNPSC noted that these leftover question papers are typically stored in district offices and later dispatched to District Central Libraries and District Employment Offices via District Treasuries, as per the standard procedure already outlined by the Commission.

Out of 13.89 lakh registered candidates, 11.48 lakh appeared for the examination, which was held at 4,922 centres across the state. The tentative answer keys were published on July 21 at 5 PM on the Commission's website. Candidates have a week to raise objections.

The final results of the examination are expected to be released within three months, as earlier announced.