Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Jharkhand High Court Stays JPSC Exam Appointment Cancellations
The Jharkhand government had cancelled some exams and jobs because people complained that the recruitment process was unfair.
Some candidates who had already been appointed challenged that decision in court.
The Jharkhand High Court has temporarily stopped the cancellations.
This includes appointments made through the 11th, 12th and 13th JPSC examinations.
It also includes food safety officer appointments.
The court said the government may not have followed natural justice before cancelling the appointments.
About 450 candidates may benefit from the order.
The government must explain its position at the next hearing on September 15.
The court's decision is temporary and is not the final ruling on the case.
The Jharkhand High Court stayed notifications cancelling appointments made through the 11th to 13th JPSC examinations.
The stay also covers the cancellation of food safety officer appointments.
The court said the cancellations prima facie appeared to violate principles of natural justice.
The interim order could provide relief to approximately 450 affected candidates.
The state government must submit its response by September 15 after protests over alleged recruitment irregularities.
- Who
- The Jharkhand High Court, the state government and approximately 450 affected candidates.
- What
- The court stayed government notifications cancelling appointments made through the 11th to 13th JPSC examinations and food safety officer recruitment.
- When
- The interim order was issued on Thursday; the state's response is due by September 15.
- Where
- In Jharkhand, with the matter heard by the Jharkhand High Court.
- Why
- Candidates challenged the cancellations, and the court said they prima facie appeared to violate principles of natural justice.
Affected Candidates
State Government
Whether appointments should be cancelled
Affected Candidates
Newly appointed candidates challenged the cancellations and argued that their appointments should not be removed through the government's notifications.
State Government
The government cancelled examinations, results and related appointments after complaints of irregularities and findings connected to an investigation.
Fairness of the cancellation process
Affected Candidates
The candidates' lawyer said the cancellations violated natural justice because affected appointees were not properly protected before the action was taken.
State Government
The government pursued cancellations and investigations in response to allegations involving recruitment tests conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and other agencies.
Response to recruitment irregularities
Affected Candidates
Students and job aspirants demanded action against alleged irregularities but sought relief for candidates who had already been selected or appointed.
State Government
The government said broad cancellations and investigations were necessary to address alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted since 2014.
- Court action
- The Jharkhand High Court stayed the operation of the cancellation notifications.
- Examinations covered
- The 11th, 12th and 13th Jharkhand Public Service Commission examinations.
- Additional appointments
- Food safety officer appointments were also covered by the stay.
- Candidates affected
- Approximately 450 candidates were expected to receive relief.
- Next hearing
- The state government was directed to submit its response by September 15.
- Government action
- The government had cancelled and ordered probes into either 44 or 45 recruitment examinations, according to differing reports.
- Trigger
- The cancellations followed a 25-day student agitation over alleged recruitment irregularities.
