ED probe will examine alleged financial irregularities while a retired judge-led panel is expected to recommend reforms to the recruitment system
The controversy over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations has escalated, with the state government moving to recommend an Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into suspected financial irregularities linked to the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC).
The government has also agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services preliminary examination and two backlog examinations, while announcing fast-track courts to deal with cases arising from alleged irregularities in the recruitment process.
The latest developments came amid an intensifying protest by job aspirants in Ranchi, who have been demanding an independent investigation into alleged malpractice in JPSC and other state recruitment examinations.
Three JPSC members resign
The controversy has also triggered a major shake-up within the commission.
Three JPSC members — Ajita Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda and Jamal Ahmed — resigned amid the continuing agitation. Their resignations were subsequently accepted by Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar.
The resignations came as pressure mounted on the state government to take action over allegations surrounding the conduct of recruitment examinations and the functioning of the commission.
14th JPSC preliminary exam to be cancelled
Among the key decisions announced by the government is the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services preliminary examination.
The government has also agreed to scrap the JPSC Combined Civil Services backlog examinations for 2023 and 2025. The move addresses one of the major demands raised by protesting aspirants.
However, the government has not accepted the protesters’ demand for cancellation of the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission’s Combined Graduate Level examination, which was conducted under court supervision.
That has kept the confrontation alive, with student groups insisting that their demands have not been fully addressed.
ED to probe alleged financial irregularities
The decision to bring in the ED adds a financial-crime dimension to the controversy.
The state government has decided to recommend an ED investigation into alleged financial irregularities associated with the examination process. The move follows weeks of protests and demands for a probe into how the recruitment system was allegedly compromised.
The government has also agreed to establish fast-track courts to ensure that cases involving alleged examination irregularities are dealt with swiftly.
An expert panel headed by a retired judge is also expected to examine the recruitment system and suggest reforms.
Students still demand CBI probe
Despite the government’s concessions, protesting aspirants have refused to call off their agitation.
Their principal unresolved demand is a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Student leaders have argued that a central agency investigation is necessary to establish the full extent of the alleged irregularities and identify those responsible.
The government, meanwhile, has maintained that it has accepted the bulk of the protesters’ demands and is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in the recruitment process.
Protest enters crucial phase
The dispute has now moved beyond the JPSC examination itself, with students demanding broader reforms in Jharkhand’s recruitment system.
The continuing protests have put the state government under pressure, while the resignations of three JPSC members and the proposed ED probe have deepened scrutiny of the commission.
For thousands of aspirants, the central question remains whether the proposed investigations and cancellation of examinations will be enough to restore confidence in a recruitment system that they say has repeatedly failed them.
With the government announcing an ED probe, fast-track courts and an expert reform panel — but students continuing to demand a CBI investigation — the JPSC row shows no immediate signs of fading.
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