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Karnataka Governor Suspends KPSC Chairman, Recommends SC Probe Under Article 317(1)

PolityCORE
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
13 Jul 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:Article 317(1)₹40,000 annual income₹2.25 Lakh monthly salaryJuly 10, 2026 FIR3B category reservation
Bodies:Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC)Supreme Court of IndiaPresident of IndiaKarnataka High Court
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What This Article Covers

1.Karnataka Governor suspends KPSC Chairman Shivashankrappa S. Sahukar pending inquiry into alleged misconduct.

2.Governor recommends President to refer the matter to the Supreme Court under Article 317(1) of the Constitution.

3.Allegations involve the Chairman facilitating illegal selection of his daughters and suppressing conflict of interest.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has suspended KPSC Chairman Shivashankrappa S. Sahukar pending inquiry into alleged misconduct related to his daughter's illegal selection. The Governor has recommended to the President a Supreme Court reference under Article 317(1) of the Constitution for a formal inquiry, highlighting constitutional safeguards for integrity in public service commissions.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Constitutional ArticleArticle 317(1)
Body InvolvedKarnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC)
GovernorThaawarchand Gehlot
Chairman SuspendedShivashankrappa S. Sahukar
Alleged MisconductIllegal selection of daughter (Suma S. Sahukar) using false income certificate
Income Certificate FraudDeclared annual income ₹40,000 vs actual salary ₹2.25 Lakh/month
Legal ActionFIR registered on July 10, 2026; HC stayed KPSC resolution asking Chairman to resign

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Constitutional Article: Article 317(1)
  • ›Body Involved: Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC)
  • ›Target this Data: Article 317(1) - President can refer PSC member to Supreme Court for misbehaviour inquiry
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC)
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Governor's power to suspend PSC Chairman pending President's decision

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which constitutional article empowers the President to refer a case of misbehaviour against a Public Service Commission Chairman to the Supreme Court for inquiry?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements:

1. The Governor of Karnataka has recommended to the President of India to make a reference to the Supreme Court under Article 317(1) for an inquiry against the KPSC Chairman.

2. The Governor can directly remove a Chairman of a Public Service Commission without any inquiry.

3. The senior-most member of the commission will function as Acting Chairman until further orders from the President.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the news, what was the annual income declared by the Chairman's daughter in the Income and Asset Certificate that led to the FIR?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary constitutional objective behind the Governor's action of recommending a Supreme Court inquiry under Article 317(1) against the KPSC Chairman?

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