Jharkhand scraps 44 recruitment exams conducted since 2014 amid student protests

The Jharkhand government has cancelled 44 recruitment examinations conducted since 2014 amid sustained student protests over alleged irregularities in the state's hiring process.

The decision, issued through eight notifications late Aug 18 night, covers examinations held by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and outsourced agency TSR Data Processing Pvt Ltd (TDPL).

The cancelled tests relate to recruitment for several government posts, including drug inspectors, assistant professors, deputy collectors, dental doctors, assistant engineers, civil judges, additional public prosecutors and forest range officers.

The list also includes examinations for lecturers in government polytechnics, senior scientific officers, assistant conservators of forests and other administrative and technical positions.

Alongside cancelling the examinations, the state government said it would approach the High Court to seek the establishment of a fast-track court for cases concerning alleged irregularities in the JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

The government has also decided to establish internal vigilance cells in both recruitment commissions as part of efforts to strengthen oversight of examination and recruitment processes.

A committee headed by senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal has been tasked with recommending reforms in the functioning of the JPSC and JSSC. The panel is expected to submit its report to the state government within two months.

The latest action follows a Cabinet meeting on Monday, when the government announced the cancellation of the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination, a key demand raised by protesting students.

The government also decided to cancel all examinations conducted by TDPL, along with the results declared by the agency.

The cancellations come as students continue to protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the state's public service and staff selection commissions.

The agitation has focused on demands for greater transparency, accountability and reforms in the examination system.

The government has now proposed judicial and institutional measures alongside the cancellation of examinations, with the vigilance mechanisms and reform committee expected to address concerns over recruitment procedures and examination integrity.