Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Students Challenge Jharkhand Government After JPSC Exam Stay
The Jharkhand government cancelled several public-service examinations because of alleged irregularities.
Newly appointed officers disagreed with that decision and asked the High Court to intervene.
The High Court temporarily stopped the cancellation of the 11th to 13th JPSC examinations and appointments.
This means the government’s cancellation order cannot proceed while the case is considered.
Student leaders Devendra Nath Mahto and Ravindra Paswan said they respected the court but criticized the government’s arguments.
They questioned why the Advocate General was absent and why the CID investigation report was not properly presented.
They also said the government had promised students that the exams would be cancelled and investigated.
Mahto warned that peaceful protests would continue if students were misled.
Paswan said students would intensify their protest and burn the Chief Minister’s effigy across all 24 districts.
The Jharkhand High Court stayed the government’s cancellation of the 11th to 13th JPSC examinations and appointments.
The case was heard by Justice Deepak Roshan after newly appointed officers challenged the cancellation.
Student leaders Devendra Nath Mahto and Ravindra Paswan questioned the government’s courtroom arguments and handling of the CID report.
Mahto and Paswan alleged that the government was backtracking on assurances and potentially trying to suppress concerns about examination irregularities.
Paswan announced that students would intensify protests, including burning the Chief Minister’s effigy across all 24 districts on August 21.
- Who
- The Jharkhand government, the Jharkhand High Court, newly appointed officers, and student leaders Devendra Nath Mahto and Ravindra Paswan are central to the dispute.
- What
- The High Court stayed the government’s order cancelling the 11th to 13th JPSC examinations and appointments.
- When
- The stay and the student leaders’ comments were reported on Thursday; Paswan announced protests for August 21, identified in the report as Friday.
- Where
- The case was heard in the Jharkhand High Court in Ranchi, Jharkhand, while Paswan announced protests across all 24 districts of the state.
- Why
- Newly appointed officers challenged the cancellation, while the government cited complaints and findings from a CID investigation into alleged recruitment-examination irregularities.
Student Leaders’ Concerns
Government and Appointees’ Position
Examination irregularities
Student Leaders’ Concerns
Devendra Nath Mahto and Ravindra Paswan supported student protests over alleged paper leaks and irregularities and warned against any cover-up or suppression of the issue.
Government and Appointees’ Position
The government said cancellations were based on complaints and facts presented during the CID investigation into examinations conducted by JPSC and executed through TDPL.
Government’s court representation
Student Leaders’ Concerns
Mahto questioned the Advocate General’s absence and the alleged failure of the government’s lawyer to properly present the CID report. Paswan said the government’s advocate made no submission and that this did not match its assurances to students.
Government and Appointees’ Position
The government’s position, as reported, was that examinations and related activities were being cancelled in response to complaints and alleged irregularities; the High Court nevertheless stayed the cancellation after hearing petitions from newly appointed officers.
Future of the movement
Student Leaders’ Concerns
Mahto said peaceful protests would continue if the government deceived students or covered up irregularities. Paswan announced intensified agitation, including effigy-burning protests across all 24 districts.
Government and Appointees’ Position
Newly appointed officers challenged the cancellation in court, seeking relief from a decision that affected their examinations and appointments.
- Court
- Jharkhand High Court
- Judge
- Justice Deepak Roshan heard the matter.
- Examinations affected
- The stay concerns the cancelled 11th to 13th JPSC examinations and appointments.
- Petitioners
- Newly appointed officers filed petitions challenging the government’s cancellation decision.
- Government cancellations
- The government released a list of 44 JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations cancelled following alleged irregularities.
- Government measures
- The state announced cancellation of activities associated with TSR Data Processing Private Limited, including examinations, published results, and selected candidates, and also cancelled the JSSC-CGL examinations.
- Planned protest
- Ravindra Paswan said students would burn the Chief Minister’s effigy across all 24 districts on August 21.
