Why Jharkhand recruitment exams have faced scrutiny, and what is driving the latest student protests

Jharkhand's government recruitment exams have faced scrutiny for years, with allegations of paper leaks, irregularities, delays, and evaluation disputes leading to court cases. The latest controversy has sparked one of the state's biggest student protests. At least 98% of the students' demands have been accepted by the government, but they insist on a CBI probe into irregularities, particularly in the JSSC Combined Graduate Level examination.

All three members of the JPSC resigned on Sunday, and they have been summoned by the Jharkhand CID in connection with irregularities allegations, including paper leaks. The 14th Combined Civil Services Examination held in April had several issues, including the absence of category-wise cut-off marks and the manner of merit list publication.

Allegations of OMR answer sheets circulating on social media, showing a candidate from another state qualifying the Main examination with only 48 questions attempted in Paper-I, sparked protests. The state government ordered a CID probe and a special investigation team after receiving the allegations. The probe has found that Abhay Tiwari, a Block Supply Officer in Godda and marketing manager of a private testing agency, was involved in a recruitment racket.

Tiwari's agency had been blacklisted by the government in May 2025 but was later reinstated. The current controversy is part of a recurring pattern of controversies surrounding JPSC recruitment examinations since Jharkhand's formation in 2000.