All 3 JPSC members quit amid CID summons; Jharkhand Governor accepts resignations

The Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) has seen all three of its members resign following weeks of protests over alleged irregularities in recruitment exams. Ajita Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda, and Jamal Ahmed tendered their resignations, which have been accepted by Governor Santosh Gangwar. The state government has agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC preliminary exam, JPSC Backlog 2023, and JPSC Backlog 2025.

The government plans to tackle the issues through a "two-pronged" approach, setting up fast-track courts and establishing a committee to recommend reforms. The state government also said a CID probe would be pursued against criminal aspects of the irregularities in recruitment examinations, with the Enforcement Directorate to be involved in suspected financial irregularities.

A committee of experts from IIT-ISM, IIM, and XLRI would recommend necessary reforms, though a proposal for a committee headed by a retired judge was rejected by the protesters. The students have vowed to continue their protest march to the Jharkhand Assembly on Monday unless a CID probe is announced. The protesters have also demanded strict action against those accused and transparency in category-wise cut-offs, OMR copies, and response sheets.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren assured that the state government would ensure justice for the youth and punish those responsible for irregularities. Gangwar appealed to the protesting aspirants to resolve the issue through dialogue, emphasizing the chief minister's concern for the students' problems.