Jharkhand Government Cancels 22 Recruitment Exams Amid Protests and Probe into Malpractices

RANCHI — Student groups protesting against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand have suspended their 26-day agitation, granting the state government a two-month ultimatum to address their concerns. The announcement followed the JMM-led government's decision to cancel 22 recruitment exams and initiate probes into 23 others conducted by the state public service commission and outsourced agencies since 2014.

Representatives from the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch confirmed that three protesters ended their 15-day fast as part of the suspension. Manch leaders stated that the prolonged protests compelled the administration to act against alleged malpractices. However, they warned that a massive agitation would resume if issues remain unresolved at the end of the two-month period.

The government's decision, finalized during a cabinet meeting and detailed in eight official notifications, affects several administrative, technical, and judicial positions. Among the cancelled tests is the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination. Other cancelled or probed tests include recruitment drives for assistant professors, medical college lecturers, drug inspectors, senior scientific officers, forest range officers, and various civil services examinations.

The administrative overhaul has triggered panic among approximately 2,000 candidates who successfully cleared the JSSC-CGL examination and joined departments such as finance, home, road transport, and labor. Many of these candidates reportedly resigned from previous employment to accept these government positions. On Tuesday, appointed candidates marched from the state Secretariat to Birsa Chowk, arguing that punitive action should target individuals found guilty of wrongdoing rather than invalidating an entire legitimate selection process. Protesters have demanded an independent investigation or a CBI probe into the irregularities.

To address the systemic issues, the state government has requested the high court to establish a fast-track court for related cases and proposed internal vigilance cells within recruitment commissions. An administrative committee headed by senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal has been formed to recommend reforms and prevent paper leaks, with a mandate to submit its report within two months. Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has intensified its probe, arresting individuals linked to key accused Abhay Tiwari, who allegedly detailed various rate charts for manipulating competitive examinations.

"Regulatory transparency and the integrity of administrative recruitment processes are critical for maintaining workforce stability. When large-scale examination cancellations occur, it creates immediate operational friction and anxiety for candidates who have secured legitimate employment. For the broader economy, institutional certainty in public sector hiring is essential to build long-term trust in governance and talent deployment." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes