Jharkhand Cancels JSSC-CGL Exam, Nearly 2,000 Appointed Candidates Face Job Uncertainty

The Jharkhand government’s decision to cancel the JSSC-CGL examination and recruitment tests conducted by TSR Data Processing Pvt Ltd (TDPL) since 2014 has brought partial relief to a 25-day student agitation but triggered a fresh protest by candidates who had already cleared the exam and secured government jobs.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced the decision after a marathon Cabinet meeting on Monday, ordering a comprehensive probe into recruitment examinations dating back to 2014 and setting up an examination reforms committee headed by senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal.

Following the announcement, JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who had been on a 16-day hunger strike, along with Umme Habiba and Rahul Kranti, ended their fast after ministers Dipika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari appealed to them at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. However, other protesters continued their hunger strike, insisting that their key demand for a CBI investigation had not been accepted.

The government’s decision has meanwhile put the future of nearly 1,975-2,000 appointed candidates in uncertainty. Several candidates protested at Project Bhawan and outside the state secretariat on Tuesday, arguing that they should not lose their jobs because of alleged irregularities committed by others. Some said they had resigned from previous employment after securing government posts and threatened legal action.

The government has yet to clarify whether the affected employees will retain their posts, undergo fresh selection or face another arrangement. The candidates have demanded that individual responsibility be fixed after a proper investigation.

The controversy has also expanded beyond JSSC. The CID is probing alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations, with former JPSC chairman L. Khiangte was arrested and three commission members Ajita Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda and Jamal Ahmed resigning after being summoned for questioning.

Political pressure has mounted, with Rahul Gandhi, Babulal Marandi and Champai Soren backing the protesters. The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch has retained its plan to gherao the Chief Minister’s residence on August 20, keeping the recruitment controversy alive despite the Cabinet’s latest concessions.