Jharkhand Cancels 14th JPSC Exam Amid Protests Over CBI Probe Demand

The Jharkhand government has agreed to cancel the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission preliminary examination following days of protests by student aspirants, but a standoff continues over their demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe and the cancellation of another key recruitment test. The agreement was reached after multiple rounds of negotiations between state officials and representatives of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, the group leading the agitation.

Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu confirmed the government's decision on August 9, stating it would address irregularities linked to the 14th JPSC and the 2023-25 backlog recruitments through a two-pronged approach. The Criminal Investigation Department will investigate the criminal aspects of the matter, while the government will seek a probe by the Enforcement Directorate into alleged financial irregularities. Sonu said the government had accepted 98 percent of the issues raised during the talks.

However, student leaders declared the agitation would continue, insisting that a CBI investigation remains a non-negotiable demand. They also want the cancellation of the JSSC Combined...