1 week ago
Supreme Court Seeks Responses On Jharkhand Exam CBI Probe
The Supreme Court is considering concerns about a government recruitment exam in Jharkhand.
An activist says the exam may not have been fair or properly managed.
He wants the Central Bureau of Investigation, called the CBI, to investigate.
He has also suggested that a former Supreme Court judge could lead an inquiry.
The Court has asked the central government, Jharkhand government and exam commission to respond.
The requested investigation would examine the exam from question-paper printing through the announcement of results.
The petitioner also wants answer sheets, camera footage and computer records protected.
He says the exam should not be cancelled just because allegations or protests exist, and that evidence should guide any decision.
The Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre, Jharkhand government, JPSC and other respondents on the requested investigation.
Activist Harisharan Devgan’s Article 32 petition seeks an independent, comprehensive and time-bound CBI probe into alleged exam malpractices.
The petitioner has alternatively sought an inquiry by a former Supreme Court judge.
The plea asks investigators to examine the entire process, including question-paper handling, OMR sheets, evaluation and electronic data.
It seeks preservation of OMR records, CCTV footage and server audit logs, while stating that cancellation should not follow from allegations alone.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, the Centre, the Jharkhand government, the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and other respondents; the petition was filed by activist Harisharan Devgan through advocate Satyam Singh Rajput.
- What
- A plea seeks an independent, time-bound CBI investigation, or alternatively an inquiry by a former Supreme Court judge, into alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025.
- Where
- The petition is before the Supreme Court in New Delhi and concerns an examination conducted in Jharkhand.
- When
- The examination was conducted on April 19, 2026. Reports say the Supreme Court issued notices on Monday, while an earlier report said the plea was scheduled for hearing on August 24.
- Why
- The petitioner alleges concerns involving the examination’s fairness, transparency, credibility, reliability and institutional integrity, and seeks an evidence-based assessment of whether its results can support public appointments.
Key facts
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Bench
- Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana
- Examination
- Jharkhand Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025
- Examining body
- Jharkhand Public Service Commission
- Relief sought
- An independent, comprehensive and time-bound CBI probe, or an inquiry by a former Supreme Court judge
- Respondents notified
- Union of India, Jharkhand government, Jharkhand Public Service Commission and others
- Evidence sought for preservation
- Original OMR sheets, candidate-held carbon copies, CCTV footage and server audit logs
Quotes
Harisharan Devgan
Activist and petitioner in the Supreme Court case
“The principal relief sought is for an independent, impartial, comprehensive and time-bound investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation, so that the nature, extent, mechanism and impact of the alleged irregularities may be objectively determined.”
deccanchronicle.com
“The petitioner is conscious that the mere existence of allegations or public protests cannot, by itself, justify cancellation of an examination.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
SC Seeks Centre, Jharkhand Govt Response On Plea For CBI Probe Into Civil Services Exam
Supreme Court seeks Centre, Jharkhand govt response on plea for CBI probe into JPSC exam irregularities
SC Hearing On Aug 24: Plea For CBI Probe Into Jharkhand PS Exams Irregularities









