Ranchi: Amid a continuing student agitation over competitive examinations in Jharkhand, the state government has agreed to cancel three examinations conducted under the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC). The decision was taken after the sixth round of talks between government representatives and protesting students on Sunday. The meeting lasted nearly four hours.
According to Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar, an agreement has been reached to cancel the 14th Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination-2025, along with the backlog recruitment examinations for 2023 and 2025.
However, the deadlock over the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) CGL examination remains unresolved. Student representatives are demanding that the examination be cancelled and investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). They have said that the agitation will continue until the government provides a written assurance on their key demands.
Agitation began on July 24
The JPSC-2025 preliminary examination was conducted for recruitment to 103 posts. After the results were announced, candidates raised allegations of irregularities in the cut-off marks, selection list and evaluation process.
Students also questioned the involvement of TCSR Data Processing in conducting the examination, citing allegations that the agency had previously been blacklisted in Uttar Pradesh. These issues led to the launch of the student agitation on July 24.
The protest intensified when six students began an indefinite hunger strike from August 2. Several rounds of discussions were subsequently held between representatives of the government and the protesting candidates.
Three examinations to be cancelled
During Sunday’s sixth round of talks, the government agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC preliminary examination as well as the backlog recruitment examinations for 2023 and 2025.
The decision has provided partial relief to the protesting candidates, but student leaders have maintained that the larger dispute has not been resolved.
Student leader Ravindra Paswan said the agitation would continue until the demand for cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, a CBI investigation and a written assurance from the government is accepted. The students have also announced plans to march towards the state Assembly on Monday.
Government rejects direct CBI probe into CGL
The government has said that it cannot directly order a CBI investigation into the JSSC-CGL examination. Minister Sudivya Kumar said the examination was conducted under the supervision of the High Court and Supreme Court, making a direct decision to hand the matter to the CBI difficult for the state government.
As an alternative, the government has proposed setting up an inquiry panel headed by a retired High Court judge. It has also proposed recommending an Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into alleged financial irregularities connected with the examination.
The government has further proposed establishing a fast-track court with the objective of ensuring that a chargesheet is filed within 90 days.
Students, however, argue that their demands have not been fully addressed. They claim that the government has agreed to cancel only three examinations out of their 13 demands and therefore have refused to call off the agitation.
Three JPSC members resign
The controversy deepened on Sunday after three JPSC members—Dr Ajita Bhattacharya, Jamal Ahmed and Anima Hansda—resigned from their positions. The three had reportedly been summoned by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) for questioning in connection with alleged examination irregularities.
JPSC Chairman L. Khiangte had already resigned earlier.
The resignations have added to questions surrounding the functioning of the commission and the conduct of the examinations. However, the individual responsibility of any person will be established only after the completion of the investigation and examination of evidence.
Hemant Soren promises action
Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the government had detected the irregularities and assured that young candidates would receive justice. He said those found responsible for wrongdoing would face strict punishment.
The Chief Minister also appealed that the matter should not be viewed through a political lens.
The government’s decision to cancel three examinations has addressed one part of the students’ demands, but the dispute over the JSSC-CGL examination remains unresolved. With students planning to surround the state Assembly on Monday, the next phase of the agitation will depend largely on whether the government and student representatives can reach an agreement on the remaining demands.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
