Archive · 14 Aug 2026
JPSC paper leak scam exposes recruitment corruption in Jharkhand
The Jharkhand Public Service Commission, or JPSC, is the group that gives tests to choose government workers in the Indian state of Jharkhand.
Many people took a big test called the 14th Preliminary Examinations, and results came out in early July.
Some test takers said the test was not fair, and they started to protest.
Police searched the JPSC office and a company named TDPL that helped run the test.
They found evidence that the company and some officials were selling test answers for money.
A man named Abhay Tiwari was arrested for running the cheating business, and the head of JPSC, L. Khiangte, quit and was later arrested too.
People paid huge sums, sometimes up to 70 lakh rupees, to pass all the steps of the test.
The state government decided to cancel the test, but the protesters still want an investigation by the central government's CBI.
Many people are upset because government jobs in India are seen as very important, and cheating makes the contest unfair for everyone else.
Results of the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examinations, declared in early July, triggered candidates' complaints of irregularities and protests in Ranchi.
On July 21, Jharkhand CID and Ranchi Police raided JPSC headquarters and the offices of TDPL, seizing computers, hard disks and documents, and arrested Deputy Controller Shweta Gupta.
CID arrested alleged mastermind Abhay Tiwari and TDPL directors on July 22, while JPSC chairman L. Khiangte resigned the same day and was later arrested on August 10.
The alleged network charged 5-6 lakh rupees (General) and 2-3 lakh (Reserved) for OMR manipulation, about 40 lakhs for Mains help, around 55 lakhs for interview fixing, and roughly 70 lakhs for clearing all levels.
Student groups refused to end their hunger strike and demanded a CBI probe even after the state government agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC Prelims.
- Who
- Jharkhand CID and Ranchi Police, the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC), the firm TDPL, accused mastermind Abhay Tiwari, former JPSC chairman L. Khiangte, and protesting candidates.
- What
- A large-scale recruitment scam involving leaked answer keys, manipulated OMR sheets, dictated Mains answers and paid interview help in JPSC examinations.
- When
- Complaints and protests began after results were declared in early July 2026; raids on JPSC and TDPL occurred on July 21; key arrests and Khiangte's resignation came on July 22; Khiangte was arrested on August 10.
- Where
- Ranchi and other parts of Jharkhand, India; TDPL is based in Lucknow.
- Why
- An alleged network of JPSC senior officials, TDPL staff and middlemen sold exam advantages priced in lakhs of rupees to candidates desperate for government jobs.
Student Protesters
State Government
Response to the exam scam
Student Protesters
Student groups refused to call off their hunger strike and demand a thorough CBI probe into the JPSC's workings and recruitment processes.
State Government
The state government tried to pacify angry protesters by agreeing to cancel the 14th JPSC Prelims examinations.
Root causes of recruitment fraud
Student Protesters
The article argues the 'Sarkari Naukri' syndrome — an extreme social premium on government jobs plus skill-mismatched graduates — feeds a toxic loop that sustains leak and manipulation networks.
State Government
For many graduates, especially from ordinary colleges, government jobs remain the only reliable path to security and status because quality private-sector employment options are scarce.
- Exams body
- Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC)
- Examination
- 14th JPSC Preliminary Examinations
- Key accused
- Abhay Tiwari (alleged mastermind, alias Manoj Tiwari)
- Contractor firm
- TDPL (TSR Data Processing Private Limited), Lucknow
- Arrests made
- 19-20 persons arrested by CID so far
- Alleged prices
- Rs 5-6 lakh (General) / 2-3 lakh (Reserved) for Prelims OMR; ~Rs 40 lakh Mains; ~Rs 55 lakh interview; ~Rs 70 lakh full package
- Money collected
- Rs 5.8 crore from about 20 candidates (per Abhay Tiwari)
- Status
- State agreed to cancel 14th Prelims; students demand CBI probe