JSSC CGL Cancelled: Jharkhand Government Scraps 22 Exams, Orders CID Probe and Major Recruitment Reforms

In a major crackdown against recruitment malpractices, the Jharkhand government has cancelled 22 competitive examinations. The decision includes the high-profile Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination. Chief Minister Hemant Soren took this decision following a marathon cabinet meeting in Ranchi.

Along with the mass cancellations, the state government has ordered an extensive probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into 17 major recruitment exams conducted since 2014. The government has also decided to approach the High Court to set up Fast-Track Courts to quickly prosecute those involved in examination scams.

Key Highlights of the Government Order

• 22 Examinations Cancelled: All exams conducted through private agency TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL)—which handled 19 of the cancelled tests—and other compromised tests have been scrapped immediately.

• JSSC-CGL Scrapped: The JSSC-CGL examination (Advertisement No. 10/2023), covering over 1,900 posts, stands completely cancelled based on findings from a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and CID investigation.

• CID Probe Launched: The state CID will investigate 17 recruitment drives conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and JSSC since 2014.

• Reforms Committee: A high-level committee led by senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal has been formed to suggest major reforms to the state’s examination system within two months.

• Fast-Track Courts Proposed: The government will request the High Court to set up special fast-track courts to deal with exam-paper leak cases and malpractices strictly.

Mass Protests Force Government’s Hand

The government’s drastic action comes after a 24-day-long youth protest across the state. Student unions, operating under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, organized continuous strikes, street marches, and a hunger strike.

Job aspirants had alleged widespread corruption, paper leaks, and administrative misconduct in government exams conducted over the past decade. Following the Cabinet’s announcement, student leaders ended their hunger strike in Ranchi.

Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Hemant Soren stated that the initial CID probe revealed a widespread network involving private agencies and middlemen. He promised strict enforcement of state laws against unfair means in competitive exams.

Successful Candidates Stage Counter-Protests

While thousands of student protesters celebrated the cancellation, the decision created panic among nearly 2,000 successful candidates who had already cleared the JSSC-CGL selection process and joined duty.

Hundreds of selected candidates gathered outside the Project Bhawan secretariat in Ranchi to stage a counter-protest. Demonstrators marched toward Birsa Chowk holding mobile flashlights, expressing deep distress over their suddenly uncertain future. Many pointed out that they had resigned from previous jobs after receiving official appointment letters and asked why innocent candidates were being punished for administrative failures.

What Lies Ahead?

The state government has put six other upcoming recruitment examinations on hold pending safety reviews. To restore trust in public recruitment, the government plans to establish an Internal Vigilance Cell inside both JPSC and JSSC to monitor all future tests.

However, political tension remains high. Opposition leaders have backed the students’ additional demand for a full investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Meanwhile, state police and the CID continue conducting raids across JSSC offices and agency premises to arrest key players behind the exam racket.