Kerala Public Service Commission Not Empowered To Conduct Enquiry To Determine Applicant's Caste Status: High Court

The Kerala High Court ruled that the Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) is not empowered to conduct inquiries into an applicant’s caste status. The court stated that KPSC must refer such matters to the competent authority, such as a revenue authority, which is responsible for investigating caste status and potential fraud. The court emphasized that while KPSC can cancel recommendations based on misrepresentation, it lacks the constitutional authority to unilaterally determine the validity of caste certificates. This decision came in response to a case where KPSC had canceled an applicant’s appointment and debarred him from future posts, alleging fraud in his caste certificate. The court’s ruling underscores the importance of proper procedural channels and the limits of KPSC’s authority in caste verification matters.