Jharkhand Scraps Recruitment Exam, Opening a New Fight Over Jobs
Jharkhand cancelled a disputed graduate-level recruitment exam after weeks of protests, ending one hunger strike but putting nearly 2,000 government appointments at risk and setting up a likely court fight.
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto ends 16-day hunger strike
Jharkhand protests: Student leader ends hunger strike
Student leader Mahato breaks hunger strike
Devendra Nath Mahto ends hunger strike after exam cancellation
Devendra Mahto ends 16-day hunger strike after cancellation
A protest victory creates a second crisis
Jharkhand’s cabinet has cancelled the JSSC Combined Graduate Level recruitment examination and every test, result and selection associated with private testing agency TSR Data Processing Private Limited. Chief Minister Hemant Soren also ordered an inquiry into recruitment-exam irregularities dating to 2014, saying state investigations had uncovered signs of a wider network involving multiple companies.indianexpress +1 The reversal followed a 24-day agitation by job aspirants in Ranchi.thehindu
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto ended his 16-day hunger strike at Sadar Hospital after the announcement, calling the decision a major victory while promising to keep pressing for examination reform.news18 Other protest leaders said the campaign would continue because the government has not agreed to their demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry.thewire
A disputed test had already produced employees
The recruitment drive attracted roughly 640,000 applications for Group B and Group C posts. Its January 2024 examination was scrapped after paper-leak allegations, but the replacement test held in September 2024 drew fresh accusations of leaks and cheating.indianexpress +1 The Jharkhand High Court later allowed the results to be published while directing investigators to continue their work; the Supreme Court declined to disturb that decision in January 2026.theprint
That history makes the cabinet’s action unusually disruptive. Around 1,975 successful candidates had already been appointed and had worked for nearly nine months, according to the Indian Express.indianexpress Some gathered outside Project Bhavan after the cancellation, saying they had left other employment for their government roles and would challenge the decision in court.moneycontrol
Reform promises now face legal and practical tests
Soren said a committee led by senior civil servant Amitabh Kaushal would develop recruitment reforms with experts and other stakeholders. The government has also opened a portal for students, teachers and parents to propose changes, while the state CID continues examining alleged irregularities.indianexpress +1
The immediate political concession therefore leaves two competing claims unresolved. Protesters who challenged the examination want an outside investigation and safeguards against future leaks; appointed candidates argue that cancelling an entire recruitment process punishes people who were never shown to have cheated.newindianexpress +1 Any court challenge could test how far the government may unwind appointments made after earlier judicial orders, while the promised inquiry must explain why existing procedures failed and which future examinations can still be trusted.