JPSC Row: 3 Exams to Be Cancelled
Ranchi: The Jharkhand government has made a significant concession to protesting job aspirants by agreeing to cancel the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination and two backlog examinations, but the move has failed to break the deadlock as students continue to insist on a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities in the state’s recruitment examinations.
The latest development came after the sixth round of talks between the government and representatives of protesting students on Sunday. While the government claimed that it had accepted around 98% of the students’ demands, the aspirants maintained that their agitation would continue until their demand for an independent CBI probe was met.
“Delegation of CM Hemant Soren-led govt talking to various groups of students for a permanent solution, agency proving case independently.”
– Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat on student-govt talks amid protest over JPSC exam row in Ranchi pic.twitter.com/yZiA4EJPRL
— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) August 9, 2026
Three JPSC exams set for cancellation
As part of the proposed settlement, the government agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination, along with the 2023 and 2025 backlog examinations.
The government also proposed several measures to strengthen the recruitment system, including investigations into alleged irregularities, judicial oversight and structural reforms involving experts from institutions such as IIT-ISM, IIM Ranchi and XLRI.
But for the protesting aspirants, cancellation of examinations is only part of the battle.
Jharkhand government agrees to cancel JPSC exam, but students stick to their demand of CBI probe
READ: https://t.co/CjUiQp2o0qhttps://t.co/CjUiQp2o0q
— WION (@WIONews) August 9, 2026
‘No CBI probe, no withdrawal of protest’
Student representatives have made it clear that they are not prepared to withdraw the agitation without a CBI probe.
The students argue that the allegations surrounding JPSC and JSSC examinations require an investigation by an agency independent of the state government. They have rejected the government’s alternative of relying on the state CID and other mechanisms, keeping the central probe at the heart of the confrontation.
The students have also announced plans for a peaceful march towards the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10, signalling that Sunday’s talks have not ended the movement.
BIG WIN FOR JHARKHAND STUDENTS!
BIG BLOW TO 🪳 DIPKE & HIS POLITICAL MASTERS! REAL STUDENTS WIN…WITHOUT RI0TS!Reportedly, Jharkhand Govt has agreed to cancel JPSC exams as per students’ demand.
Reportedly, All 3 serving JPSC members— Ajita Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda & Jamal…
— BhikuMhatre (@MumbaichaDon) August 9, 2026
Government offers CID, ED and judicial oversight
The government has maintained that it is taking the allegations seriously. According to reports, it has proposed a combination of investigations and legal measures, including a CID probe into criminal allegations, an ED investigation into alleged financial irregularities and fast-track proceedings in examination-related cases.
It has also proposed a committee headed by a retired judge to monitor aspects of the investigation and recruitment reforms.
However, the government’s refusal to transfer the entire matter to the CBI remains the principal stumbling block.
JPSC crisis deepens as three members resign
The controversy took another dramatic turn on Sunday when all three serving JPSC members resigned. The resignations came amid mounting pressure over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and the ongoing student agitation.
The development follows the resignation of JPSC chairman L. Khiangte, further intensifying scrutiny of the commission at a time when confidence among aspirants in the recruitment process is already under severe strain.
JSSC-CGL remains another flashpoint
The students’ demands extend beyond JPSC. The JSSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination has also emerged as a major point of contention.
While students are demanding cancellation and an independent probe, the government has argued that the CGL matter cannot simply be cancelled because the examination and subsequent recruitment process have already progressed, including declaration of results and joining of selected candidates.
Talks bring concession, not a settlement
Sunday’s negotiations therefore produced an important concession but not a settlement.
The government has moved on examination cancellation and promised wider reforms, while students have refused to retreat from what they consider their core demand: a CBI investigation into alleged recruitment-exam irregularities.
With the proposed Assembly march on August 10, the JPSC-JSSC controversy is set for another crucial phase. For thousands of aspirants, the issue has now gone beyond cancellation of an examination—it has become a demand for transparency, accountability and confidence in Jharkhand’s recruitment system.
