Jharkhand govt cancels 22 exams based on probe findings as protests continue

The Jharkhand government has canceled 22 examinations following findings of irregularities by the Crime Investigation Department (CID). The decision impacts recruitment exams conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) since 2014. This move comes as students continue their protests, demanding a federal investigation into the alleged malpractices.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced the cancellation of over half a dozen exams on Monday. A special cabinet meeting later that day led to a notification postponing six exams and bringing 17 others under investigation. The cancellations include exams for non-teaching posts in universities and the Jharkhand Combined Civil Services Exam 2025. The recruitment process for positions such as forest range officers, child development officers, and food supply officers is affected.

The repercussions of these cancellations are significant, with over 2,600 individuals who have already joined the service facing the prospect of job loss. These recruits, many of whom are in their probationary period, may lose their positions unless they obtain a court order to stay the government's decision. The protests have intensified, with demonstrators insisting on a federal probe.

While the government has conceded to a key demand by canceling the exams conducted by private firm TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL), the decision has sparked a separate protest. Hundreds of candidates who successfully cleared the now-canceled JSSC-Combined Graduate Level Exam (JSSC-CGL) gathered at the state secretariat, questioning the government's move and its implications for their careers.

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...1950 recruits were inducted after the JSSC-CGL [Combined Graduate Level] exam. Hundreds joined after the civil services exam...forest range officers, child development officers and food supply officers. Most of them are in the probationary stage of their jobs. They are set to lose their jobs unless they approach the court and get a stay against the decision.