Jharkhand Cancels JPSC Exams Amid Student Recruitment Protests

Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced the cancellation of the 14th JPSC preliminary examination and the 2023-25 backlog recruitments on August 9, 2026, after students protested alleged recruitment irregularities for 16 days at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi. Soren advocated for dialogue over force, stating "weapons are meant for enemies at the border," while urging students not to seek "political patronage."

Education Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu detailed a government plan that includes CID probes into criminal aspects and Enforcement Directorate investigations into financial irregularities. The government also promised fast-track courts to file charge sheets within 90 days and a reform committee featuring experts from IIT-ISM, IIM Ranchi, and XLRI. To further address the crisis, Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar accepted the resignations of three JPSC members: Ajita Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda, and Jamal Ahmed.

Despite these concessions, the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch rejected the government's offer of a monitoring committee led by a retired judge and continues to demand a CBI probe. The government rejected demands to cancel Combined Graduate Level examinations conducted after 2019, citing ongoing judicial monitoring by higher courts. Union Minister Sanjay Seth criticized Soren for his initial silence and argued that dialogue is no longer necessary, insisting on a CBI investigation. Six protesters remain on an indefinite hunger strike, and students have planned a march to the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10.