In a significant development amidst escalating student protests and a broad investigation into competitive examination irregularities, all three serving members of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) have tendered their resignations. Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar accepted the resignations of Ajeeta Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda, and Jamal Ahmad, following notices issued by the Jharkhand State Crime Investigation Department (CID) for questioning regarding alleged paper leaks and OMR sheet tampering.
Protests Intensify as Government Considers Cancellations
The resignations mark a leadership crisis for the commission, coming after former JPSC Chairman L Khiangte also stepped down on July 22 and has since undergone extensive questioning by the CID. To date, law enforcement has arrested 19 individuals in connection with the examination scam, conducting raids across Ranchi, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Palamu, and parts of neighboring Bihar.
Despite the state government’s consideration of cancelling three disputed JPSC recruitment examinations and establishing a dedicated grievance email for candidates, political efforts have failed to resolve the ongoing deadlock. A five-member ministerial panel held multiple discussions with student delegations, including representatives from the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, the JPSC-JSSC Candidates' Forum, and the Jharkhand Loktantrik Kranti Morcha (JLKM), but agitators have refused to end their demonstrations.
Students Demand CBI Investigation and Systemic Reform
For over two weeks, thousands of aspirants have gathered at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, engaging in sit-ins, torchlight rallies to Albert Ekka Chowk, and hunger strikes. Their primary demands include the complete cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Preliminary Test, held on April 19, and a comprehensive investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into all recruitment tests conducted over the past seven years.
Students expressed deep skepticism regarding the state-level investigation, calling for greater accountability and fundamental systemic reforms. "I have been preparing for competitive examinations since 2023. But if an equal and fair chance is not given, how can I get a job? I urge CM Soren to listen to our demands," stated Sneha, a tribal student from Ranchi, highlighting the frustration of thousands of young job seekers from rural and tribal communities.
"Demands of protesting aspirants are genuine; we will place these before Chief Minister Hemant Soren."
— State Minister Sanjay Prasad Yadav
Acknowledging the gravity of the protests, the government panel confirmed that student concerns would be escalated to Chief Minister Hemant Soren. With JLKM leader Devendranath Mahto continuing an indefinite fast and student bodies planning a march to the State Assembly, significant pressure remains on the state government to find a resolution to the crisis.