3 weeks ago
JPSC Members Resign, Exam Cancellation Looms as Jharkhand Protests Persist
In the Indian state of Jharkhand, many young people study for years to become government workers, like teachers or police officers.
To get such jobs, they must pass a big test called the JPSC exam.
Some people believe the test was not fair because a few answer sheets were changed to give some candidates higher scores.
Because of this, the police have arrested 19 people and searched many towns for evidence.
The three remaining leaders of the group that runs the exam quit, and the old chairman had already quit.
Thousands of students have been sitting at a big stadium in Ranchi for more than two weeks, asking the government to listen.
The government has now agreed to cancel the disputed test and even promised a special court for the case.
But the students still want an investigation by bigger national agencies, like the CBI.
Some are even refusing to eat food until their demand is met.
The students just want everyone to get a fair chance at a job.
All three remaining Jharkhand Public Service Commission members — Ajita Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda and Jamal Ahmed — resigned on Sunday after being summoned for CID questioning, following former chairman L. Khiangte's exit on July 22.
A source in Chief Minister Hemant Soren's office said the disputed 14th JPSC civil services exam was set to be cancelled after a sixth round of talks, and the government is considering cancelling three disputed recruitment examinations.
Police have arrested 19 people and carried out raids in Ranchi, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Palamu and parts of Bihar over alleged tampering of answer sheets to inflate scores.
Thousands of aspirants have staged sit-ins, torchlight rallies and hunger strikes at Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium for over a fortnight, refusing to relent until a CBI probe is assured.
The state plans to request an Enforcement Directorate investigation into illicit financial transactions and constitute a fast-track court, with CID directed to file chargesheets within 90 days.
- Who
- Thousands of civil service aspirants from rural and tribal communities, student groups including the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, JPSC-JSSC Candidates' Forum and JLKM, the Jharkhand government under Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the three resigning JPSC members, and former JPSC chairman L. Khiangte.
- What
- A widening scam probe and sustained protest over alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services (Preliminary) Exam, with students demanding its cancellation and CBI and ED investigations.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand — mainly Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium — with CID raids in Ranchi, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Palamu and parts of neighboring Bihar.
- When
- Protests have lasted over a fortnight; the disputed exam was held April 19, results were declared July 2, Khiangte resigned July 22, and the remaining three members resigned on Sunday.
- Why
- Aspirants allege answer sheets were tampered with to inflate scores and say years of preparation for fair, equal government jobs are at stake without greater accountability and systemic reform.
Protesting Aspirants
State Government and PSC
Exam cancellation
Protesting Aspirants
Demand complete cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Preliminary Test and all other disputed recruitment examinations held over recent years.
State Government and PSC
Reportedly set to cancel the 14th exam and considering cancelling three disputed JPSC exams, but says it lacks authority to cancel JSSC CGL exams because they are under Supreme Court and High Court monitoring.
Investigation
Protesting Aspirants
Demand a CBI and Enforcement Directorate probe covering all recruitment tests held over the last seven years, expressing distrust of the state-level CID investigation.
State Government and PSC
Conducting a CID investigation with 19 arrests so far and offering a retired-judge monitoring committee, while planning to request an ED probe only for financial aspects; students rejected the committee.
Political support
Protesting Aspirants
Some student groups receive backing from political parties such as Congress and CPIML Liberation in their agitation.
State Government and PSC
Chief Minister Hemant Soren says the matter should not be seen through a political lens and criticizes parties across the country for trying to mislead the youth through falsehoods and half-truths.
Key facts
- State
- Jharkhand
- Disputed exam
- 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services (Preliminary) Exam, held April 19; results declared July 2
- Arrests
- 19 people
- Resignations
- All three remaining JPSC members (Sunday) and former chairman L. Khiangte (July 22)
- Raids
- Ranchi, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Palamu and parts of Bihar
- Exam vendor
- TSR Data Processing Private Limited, blacklisted by the JSSC last year
- Government steps
- 14th exam set to be cancelled; ED inquiry and fast-track court planned; CID chargesheet within 90 days
- Student demands
- CBI probe covering seven years of recruitment tests; march to Jharkhand Assembly on August 10
Quotes
Ravindra Paswan
Student leader and protest organizer
“I want to tell my young companions that we detected the (exam) irregularities. The youth will get justice and those who have done the irregularity will be given the harshest of harsh punishments.”
telegraphindia.com
“I have been preparing for competitive examinations since 2023. But if an equal and fair chance is not given, how can I get a job? I urge CM Soren to listen to our demands.”
businesstoday.in
State Minister Sanjay Prasad Yadav
Jharkhand state minister
“Demands of protesting aspirants are genuine; we will place these before Chief Minister Hemant Soren.”
businesstoday.in
Sources
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