Jharkhand cancels 22 recruitment exams including JSSC CGL, orders CID probe into 17 tests since 2014; selected JSSC CGL candidates protest cancellation

Demonstrators stage a protest outside Jharkhand secretariat after cabinet decided to cancel Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combined Graduate Level examination, in Ranchi. (PTI Photo)

JSSC CGL exam cancelled 2026: The Jharkhand government has cancelled 22 competitive examinations, including the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (JSSC CGL) examination, following a prolonged agitation over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. The decision was taken at a special Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren and notified late Tuesday night by the Department of Personnel, Administrative Reforms and Rajbhasha.The government has also ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate 17 examinations, results and appointments conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and JSSC since 2014. Six other recruitment examinations have been postponed. The measures follow around 25 days of protests by candidates seeking an inquiry into alleged irregularities and changes to the examination system.JSSC CGL cancellation puts selected candidates in uncertaintyThe JSSC CGL examination, conducted under Advertisement No. 10/2023 for 1,932 posts, has been cancelled on the basis of facts that emerged during ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) and CID investigations.The decision directly affects candidates who cleared the examination and had subsequently been selected for government posts. According to the information provided by the candidates, 2,627 candidates had successfully cleared the selection process. Other reports have put the number of affected successful candidates at around 2,000, reflecting differences between candidates who cleared the examination and those who had received appointments.Several selected candidates had written to the Chief Minister before the Cabinet decision, asking the government to consider their appointments and future. They said many candidates came from financially weaker backgrounds and had resigned from previous employment after securing positions through the recruitment process.22 examinations cancelled by the governmentThe cancelled examinations cover recruitment conducted through JPSC and JSSC. The government has also decided to cancel examinations conducted through TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL). Of the 22 examinations listed in the notification, 19 were conducted through TDPL.

The cancelled examinations include:

Six examinations postponedThe state has postponed six examinations: Food Analyst Recruitment (Advertisement No. 05/2024), Deputy Director, Prosecution Recruitment (03/2025), Project Manager and equivalent posts (04/2025), Inspector of Factories Recruitment (01/2025), Boiler Inspector Recruitment (02/2025) and Director Recruitment (07/2025).No revised examination dates have been specified in the information provided.CID to examine 17 recruitment processes since 2014The CID will investigate 17 recruitment examinations, results and appointments conducted by the JPSC and JSSC. The cases span recruitment processes held from 2013 onwards, including civil services, judicial services, agriculture, health, engineering and prosecution posts.

The investigation will examine the conduct of the listed recruitment processes and matters relating to their results and appointments. The government’s decision comes alongside the cancellation of 22 examinations, postponement of six others and plans to establish an internal monitoring cell within the JPSC and JSSC.Government plans examination reform committeeThe state will constitute a high-level committee headed by Amitabh Kaushal, Principal Secretary of the Department of Excise and Prohibition, to examine the recruitment examination system and recommend reforms.Directors of reputed institutions and other officials will be included in the committee. It has been asked to submit its report to the government within two months.An internal monitoring cell will also be established within JPSC and JSSC to continuously monitor examination processes.Fast-track court proposed for recruitment casesThe government has decided to request the High Court to constitute a fast-track court for cases involving alleged irregularities and misconduct connected with JPSC and JSSC examinations.The proposed arrangement is intended to facilitate quicker hearings and disposal of pending cases and allow action against those found guilty.Selected JSSC CGL candidates protest cancellationThe Cabinet decision triggered protests from candidates who had already cleared the JSSC CGL examination and received appointments.On Tuesday, Secretariat employees recruited through the examination staged a protest outside Project Bhawan. Later, selected candidates marched from Project Bhawan towards Birsa Chowk, using mobile phone torches during the protest.Security was increased at the premises as the protest continued. Existing employees were allowed to enter after showing identity cards, while protesting candidates gathered outside the main gate.The protesters demanded an impartial investigation into alleged irregularities and action against those found responsible rather than cancellation of the entire recruitment process. Several candidates said they had left earlier jobs after being selected and sought reconsideration of the decision affecting their appointments.The government’s wider decision follows the student agitation over examination irregularities and includes cancellation, investigation and postponement measures alongside a proposed overhaul of the recruitment examination system.