Hemant Soren Government Cancels 22 JPSC-JSSC Exams, Suspends Six and Orders Probe into 17 Others

The Jharkhand government has cancelled 22 examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), suspended the process for six others and ordered investigations into suspected irregularities in 17 examinations.

The decisions were taken based on findings that emerged during investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Special Investigation Team (SIT). The Personnel Department has issued a formal notification outlining the measures.

The government has also decided to approach the Jharkhand High Court with a request to establish a fast-track court for cases related to alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations.

In addition, an Internal Vigilance Cell will be established to monitor the functioning of the two commissions and their examination processes. A high-level committee headed by senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal will also be constituted to recommend comprehensive reforms in the examination system.

JSSC CGL and several JPSC examinations cancelled

Among the major examinations cancelled is the JSSC Combined Graduate Level Examination, conducted under Advertisement No. 10/2023. The government said the decision was based on findings emerging from the SIT and CID investigations.

The Jharkhand Combined Civil Services examinations for 2023 and 2025, including regular and backlog examinations, have also been cancelled.

The government has further cancelled the earlier 5th Combined Civil Services examinations held in 2013, 2016 and 2021.

Civil Judge Junior Division examinations for 2015, 2018 and 2023 have also been scrapped. The 6th Limited Deputy Collector examination and the 2023 Child Development Project Officer examination are among the other examinations cancelled.

Academic and technical recruitment examinations also affected

The government’s action extends beyond the major recruitment examinations.

Examinations related to appointments to non-teaching posts in Jharkhand universities, recruitment of assistant professors in government engineering and medical colleges, and lecturer appointments in polytechnic colleges have also been cancelled.

The Jharkhand Eligibility Test (JET) 2024 has also been cancelled.

Other examinations included in the cancellation order relate to the posts of Assistant Conservator of Forest, Forest Range Officer, Assistant Public Prosecutor, Drug Inspector and Food Safety Officer.

Six examinations put on hold

The government has chosen to suspend the process for six other recruitment examinations rather than cancel them at this stage.

The preliminary processes for these examinations were conducted through agencies other than TDPL. The government has directed the CID to examine the credibility and role of the agencies involved.

The examinations placed on hold include those relating to Food Analyst, Project Manager, Deputy Director Prosecution, Director of Factories and Boiler Inspector posts.

Three major measures announced to overhaul examination system

Alongside the cancellation and investigation orders, the government has announced three structural measures aimed at improving the recruitment examination system.

First, the state will request the Jharkhand High Court to consider setting up a fast-track court for cases concerning alleged malpractice and irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations. The objective is to ensure that such cases are decided without prolonged delays.

Second, an Internal Vigilance Cell will be established within JPSC and JSSC to monitor the functioning of the commissions and examination procedures. The mechanism is intended to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen safeguards against possible malpractice.

Third, a high-level committee headed by senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal will study the examination systems and procedures of both commissions. Directors of reputed institutions in the state will also be included in the committee.

The committee will examine the existing recruitment and examination framework and submit its recommendations to the government within two months.

Government promises stricter examination safeguards

The notification, signed by government secretary Praveen Kumar Toppo, stated that irregularities and malpractice in recruitment examinations would not be tolerated.

The latest decisions come amid sustained concerns over the integrity of competitive examinations in Jharkhand and protests by students demanding action against alleged examination irregularities.

The government’s measures are intended to address both the immediate controversies and longer-term weaknesses in the recruitment system. If implemented effectively, the proposed vigilance mechanism, independent scrutiny and examination reforms could become important safeguards for candidates appearing for future JPSC and JSSC examinations.