3 weeks ago
Ex-JPSC Chairman Arrested as Jharkhand Exam Scam Investigation Expands
Many people in India take big tests to get government jobs.
These tests are supposed to be fair so everyone has the same chance.
In the state of Jharkhand, some people are suspected of cheating on these tests.
Investigators called the CID think question papers were sold to some candidates before the tests were held.
They have arrested 20 people so far, including the former chairman of one of the commissions that runs the tests.
A government worker named Abhay Tiwari is also a focus of the investigation because he also worked for the company that ran the tests.
Students are upset and have been protesting for 19 days.
They want the tests cancelled and held again.
The government says many people who passed have already started working, so cancelling is difficult.
Investigators are now checking the money involved to find out what really happened.
The students' protest against government job examinations in Jharkhand entered its 19th day, with 20 accused now arrested, including former JPSC Chairman L Khiangte on August 10.
Government employee Abhay Kumar Tiwari, a Block Supply Officer in Godda who also worked as marketing manager for exam company TDPL, secured the 48th rank in the JSSC-CGL exam.
CID interrogations allege roughly Rs 12 lakh each was collected from about 15 candidates in Bokaro — around Rs 1.80 crore — in exchange for leaked question papers and answers.
Investigators estimate the alleged recruitment racket at nearly Rs 40 crore; TDPL was blacklisted by the JSSC on May 20, 2025, yet reportedly secured JPSC work by nomination.
Students demand cancellation and re-conduct of the JSSC-CGL exam and a CBI probe, while the government opposes cancellation and has agreed to an ED investigation into financial transactions.
- Who
- Protesting students, the Jharkhand CID, and 20 arrested accused, including former JPSC Chairman L Khiangte, Block Supply Officer Abhay Kumar Tiwari, and TDPL Director Ramveer Singh.
- What
- An investigation into an alleged JPSC/JSSC recruitment-exam paper leak and financial transactions involving commission officials, the exam-conducting company TDPL, middlemen, and certain candidates.
- Where
- Jharkhand, India, involving locations including Bokaro, Godda, and Ranchi, with TDPL offices sealed in Ranchi and Lucknow.
- When
- August 2025, with the student protest on its 19th day, Tiwari arrested on July 22, and Khiangte arrested on August 10.
- Why
- Because of alleged paper leaks, payments of roughly Rs 12 lakh per candidate, and a contract awarded to a blacklisted exam company, raising questions about the integrity of Jharkhand's government recruitment system.
Students & Protesters
Government & Accused Officials
Cancellation of the JSSC-CGL Exam
Students & Protesters
Students demand cancellation and re-conduct of the examination and a CBI probe into the entire process.
Government & Accused Officials
The government is not in favor of cancelling because the exam was conducted under judicial supervision and many selected candidates are already employed, making cancellation legally difficult.
Khiangte's Role and the TDPL Contract
Students & Protesters
Allegations say Khiangte accepted roughly Rs 2 crore and a 20 per cent commission in exchange for securing work for the blacklisted TDPL.
Government & Accused Officials
Khiangte says he was unaware of TDPL's blacklisted status when the company was selected, and the allegation currently comes only from an accused individual, with the investigation still pending.
Integrity of the Recruitment Process
Students & Protesters
Protesters point to Tiwari's 48th rank, his relatives' selections, and the involvement of officials, the company, and middlemen as evidence of a larger network.
Government & Accused Officials
The protest-poster claims are not independently established, alleged selections of relatives do not by themselves establish wrongdoing, and allegations have not been confirmed in court.
Key facts
- Total accused arrested
- 20, including former JPSC Chairman L Khiangte (arrested August 10)
- Key suspect
- Abhay Kumar Tiwari, Block Supply Officer in Godda and TDPL marketing manager; secured 48th rank in JSSC-CGL
- Alleged payoff per candidate
- Approximately Rs 12 lakh each from about 15 candidates in Bokaro
- Alleged total transactions
- Around Rs 1.80 crore, with about 65 leaked questions and answers
- Estimated size of racket
- Nearly Rs 40 crore
- TDPL blacklisting
- De-listed by Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission on May 20, 2025
- Contract award
- Allegedly by nomination without open tender, over objections of the then JPSC Controller of Examinations
- Government action
- Opposes cancelling JSSC-CGL; agreed to ED probe on financial transactions; reportedly ready to cancel the 14th JPSC Prelims exam
Sources
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