Jharkhand Student Protestors’ Demand on Hold: High Court Stays Govt Order to Cancel 11th to 13th JPSC Examination Appointments

ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2026, the Jharkhand High Court ordered a stay on the state government's decision to cancel the civil service examinations and appointments made under the 11th to 13th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examinations, as well as the recruitment exams for Food Safety Officers.

The stay order was passed by the High Court after hearing a plea filed by students who had cleared the exams. These students argued that the state government's decision to cancel their appointments was unjust and highlighted that students who had already become government employees would lose their jobs.

Justice Deepak Roshan granted interim relief to these candidates after hearing the petitions. Further, the court also ordered the Jharkhand government to submit its response on the matter by September 15, 2026.

Why Were JPSC and JSSC Exams Cancelled in Jharkhand?

The cancellation of the exams followed a days-long agitation by JPSC and JSSC students in Ranchi, who alleged irregularities in government recruitment examinations. The High Court's intervention comes after the government decided to cancel 22 recruitment exams following a 24-day agitation by student protesters.

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The protest was focused on transparency in the recruitment examination system in Jharkhand.

The students demanded a transparent investigation into the alleged malpractices in the examination process, particularly the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination and examinations conducted through the outsourced agency TSR Data Processing Pvt Ltd (TDPL).

The protest in Jharkhand began on July 25, 2026, against the state recruitment examinations, particularly the JPSC and JSSC exams. The protesters demanded a transparent investigation into these exams, accountability for irregularities, and reforms in the recruitment process.

The protesters went on hunger strikes, raised slogans, and marched towards the state Assembly, asking the government to accept their demands.

Hemant Soren Government Announces Cancellation of 22 Recruitment Exams

On August 18, 2026, the Jharkhand government, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, announced the cancellation of 22 recruitment examinations conducted by JPSC, JSSC and other outsourced agencies. After the government agreed to various demands of the protesters, the students' agitation came to a halt.

The students who had been on hunger strike for 15 days ended their fast after the 26-day protest. However, the protesters said that the movement had not ended but had only been suspended for two months.

As per reports by The Hindu, the decision to cancel the examinations was taken during a four-hour emergency meeting of cabinet officials in Jharkhand. Soren also announced that all examinations conducted by TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL), which has been blacklisted since 2014 would be cancelled.

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Selected JPSC Candidates on the Exam Cancellation

While the government's decision to cancel the exams provided relief to students who had been protesting, another group of candidates began questioning the decision.

Candidates who had cleared the exams, some of whom had already joined government offices, questioned the government's decision. They argued that the government had cancelled the examinations and appointments of selected candidates without giving them an opportunity to present their case.

Many candidates who had already joined government offices also expressed disappointment, as the government's decision put their jobs at risk.

The candidates said that the government should conduct individual inquiries into the case and identify the candidates who were involved in malpractice. Action should be taken against these candidates instead of cancelling the appointments of all selected candidates. 

The latest High Court order has provided relief to candidates whose appointments and jobs were affected by the government's decision to cancel the examinations. For now, the cancellation of their appointments has been stayed. The further decision on whether the examinations and appointments will ultimately be cancelled will depend on the proceedings before the Jharkhand High Court.

(Edited by Harsh Pandey)

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