Jharkhand cancels JSSC-CGL exams after 24-day student protest

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday announced the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and all exams conducted by TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL), a private agency at the centre of an alleged recruitment scam. The decision came after a 24-day protest by job aspirants led by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, with six protesters on hunger strike. Soren said the Cabinet had ordered a comprehensive probe into irregularities in all recruitment exams conducted since 2014, and formed an examination reforms committee headed by senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal.

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who led the agitation, thanked supporters but expressed caution, noting that investigations have been ordered and then cancelled before. The protesters continue to demand a CBI probe or an investigation by a panel of retired high court judges from outside Jharkhand. The state CID raided the JSSC office in Ranchi on Monday. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had written to Soren urging him to meet the protesters, while the Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi also backed the demand for a CBI investigation.

The agitation began over alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC Civil Services preliminary exam held in April, in which TDPL was involved. The CID has arrested several people, including TDPL employees and a former JPSC deputy examination controller. Soren said the government would also discuss amendments to the MMDR Act made by the Centre and may call a special session of the Assembly.