Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Jharkhand exam cancellation devastates candidates who cleared prelims
In Jharkhand, a part of India, many people take a big test called the JPSC exam to get government jobs.
Some people studied for years to pass this test.
Others even quit their jobs to have more time to study.
More than two thousand people passed the first round, called the prelims.
Then the government said the whole exam was cancelled.
It cancelled the exam because some test papers may have been leaked.
A leaked paper means the test was no longer fair for everyone.
The people who passed the prelims are very sad and worried their hard work was wasted.
They marched to the government building to protest, and police used water cannons.
The candidates say cheaters should be punished, but honest people should not lose their chance.
On August 9, the Jharkhand government cancelled the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services examination over alleged irregularities involving OMR sheets.
More than 2,200 candidates who had cleared the prelims now face starting the process again, a setback many say they may not recover from.
The prelims were held on April 19 and results were declared on July 2, with 2,204 candidates qualifying for the main exam.
The CID has asked qualifiers to submit carbon copies of their OMR sheets, and nearly 1,800 have done so.
Aspirants, including some who quit jobs to prepare, support strict action on paper leaks but say cancellation without a thorough probe defies natural justice.
- Who
- More than 2,200 candidates who cleared the 14th JPSC prelims, and the Jharkhand government.
- What
- The Jharkhand government cancelled the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services examination over alleged irregularities involving OMR sheets.
- When
- Announced on August 9, after prelims held on April 19 and results declared on July 2.
- Where
- Jharkhand state, centred on protests in Ranchi and at the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly.
- Why
- Allegations of paper leaks and irregularities led to the cancellation, though qualifiers argue a thorough probe should have happened first.
Prelims qualifiers
Cancellation backers
Exam cancellation
Prelims qualifiers
Cancelling the exam without a thorough probe defies logic and forces innocent qualifiers to restart the process.
Cancellation backers
Cancelling the exam is a win and a necessary strict response to alleged irregularities and paper leaks.
Fairness and accountability
Prelims qualifiers
Natural justice dictates that those who did no wrong should not suffer for the actions of others.
Cancellation backers
Strong action is needed to preserve the integrity of the recruitment process after allegations of a paper leak.
- Examination
- 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Examination
- Cancellation announced
- August 9
- Vacancies
- 103 posts
- Prelims held
- April 19
- Result declared
- July 2
- Candidates who cleared prelims
- 2,204
- Reason for cancellation
- Alleged irregularities and paper leaks involving OMR sheets
- OMR carbon copies submitted
- Nearly 1,800 of the qualifiers