Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Jharkhand High Court Stays JPSC, JSSC Exam Cancellation Orders
The Jharkhand government cancelled several government job examinations after complaints about possible cheating or other problems.
The tests included jobs for officers, teachers, doctors, engineers and other public employees.
Some candidates had already passed the tests and started working.
They said honest candidates should not lose their jobs because of alleged wrongdoing by someone else.
The government said its decisions were based on a CID investigation and complaints about examinations conducted through TDPL.
Students had protested in Ranchi for about 25 or 26 days and had demanded action, including cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination.
The Jharkhand High Court temporarily stopped the cancellation of the 11th–13th JPSC examinations and appointments.
This gives affected officers temporary protection while the larger case continues.
The state was asked to respond by September 15.
The Jharkhand High Court on August 20 stayed cancellation of the 11th–13th JPSC examinations and related appointments.
The state government cited alleged irregularities, a CID investigation and examinations conducted through TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL).
Reports variously described 21 or 22 cancelled recruitment processes, while broader lists covered 44 or 45 examinations through cancellations, suspensions and probes.
Four affected processes had reached appointment stages: 342 JPSC posts, 1,932 JSSC-CGL appointments, 64 CDPO posts and 56 Food Safety Officer posts.
Successful candidates protested that blanket cancellations punished people selected on merit, while students demanded action over alleged examination irregularities and a CBI probe.
- Who
- The Jharkhand government led by Hemant Soren, the Jharkhand High Court, JPSC, JSSC, TDPL, protesting students and affected candidates.
- What
- The High Court stayed orders cancelling the 11th–13th JPSC examinations and appointments, while the government had cancelled or investigated numerous other recruitment processes.
- When
- The stay was issued on August 20, after the government’s August 18 notification and a roughly 25- or 26-day student agitation.
- Where
- Jharkhand, with protests and court proceedings centered in Ranchi.
- Why
- The government cited alleged examination irregularities and findings brought forward during a CID investigation; candidates challenged the blanket cancellations as unfair and lacking individual hearings.
Government and Students’ Accountability Position
Candidates’ Due-Process Position
Whether entire examinations should be cancelled
Government and Students’ Accountability Position
The government cited alleged irregularities and students demanded cancellation of examinations such as the JSSC-CGL, along with action against processes linked to TDPL.
Candidates’ Due-Process Position
Successful candidates argued that action should target proven misconduct and tainted individuals rather than entire examinations and merit lists.
How the investigation should proceed
Government and Students’ Accountability Position
The government relied on the CID investigation, an SIT and proposed recruitment reforms; the BJP and protesting students also sought a CBI investigation.
Candidates’ Due-Process Position
Candidates questioned the fairness of cancelling appointments without evidence against each selected person or separate hearings.
Effect on existing appointments
Government and Students’ Accountability Position
The government’s cancellation orders placed appointments from affected examinations under review while alleged irregularities were examined.
Candidates’ Due-Process Position
Affected employees said they had cleared examinations fairly, joined government departments and should not lose their jobs without individual findings; the High Court’s stay temporarily protects the 11th–13th JPSC appointments.
- Court action
- The High Court stayed notifications cancelling the 11th–13th JPSC examinations and appointments.
- Petitioners
- Newly appointed officers and successful candidates filed petitions challenging the government’s decision.
- Reported scale
- Reports referred variously to 21 or 22 cancelled processes, 23 processes suspended or investigated, 44 listed examinations, and 45 processes affected overall.
- Appointments involved
- The four processes that had reached appointment stages included 342 JPSC posts, 1,932 JSSC-CGL appointments, 64 CDPO posts and 56 Food Safety Officer posts.
- Examinations and posts
- Affected recruitments included civil judges, deputy collectors, assistant professors, drug inspectors, dental doctors, assistant engineers, prosecutors and forest officers.
- Government response
- The state cancelled examinations and activities associated with TDPL, ordered inquiries into examinations conducted from 2014 onward and cancelled the JSSC-CGL examination.
- Reform plan
- A committee headed by Amitabh Kaushal, IAS, was tasked with studying JPSC and JSSC reforms and submitting a report within two months.
- Next hearing
- The state was asked to submit its reply by September 15.
Sources
Jharkhand HC stays Soren govt’s order cancelling 11th and 13th JPSC Exams
Jharkhand HC Stays Jharkhand Govt Order Cancelling JPSC, JSSC Exams
Major setback for Hemant Soren governement as High Court puts hold on JPSC, JSSC exam cancellation
Jharkhand HC stays Soren govt order to cancel JPSC exams
Jharkhand HC stays JSSC-CGL cancellation: What happens to candidates now?
Jharkhand High Court Stays Govt Order Cancelling 11th, 13th JPSC Exams & Appointments
