The other Jharkhand story: They fought odds, cleared prelims, but exam got cancelled

The Jharkhand government has decided to cancel the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services examination, a decision that has been viewed as a victory by protesters in Ranchi. However, for over 2,200 candidates who successfully cleared the preliminary examination, the cancellation has turned into a significant setback. The Indian Express spoke to eight aspirants who shared their perspectives on the situation.

Among them was Ajit Kumar, a 32-year-old engineer who gave up a job to prepare for the exam. He had cleared the prelims and was optimistic about the mains, scheduled from July 25 to 27. However, the cancellation meant that he had to start the entire process over again, which was particularly difficult considering the financial investment involved. Neha Kesari, Ajit's wife, also expressed her disappointment as they had both invested a significant amount of time and money in preparing for this examination.

Adivasi woman Madhuri Aind, 26, also expressed her frustration. She had worked tirelessly to provide for her family by selling household items from a thela in Ranchi. Clearing the exam would have been a dream come true, but the cancellation has left her feeling hopeless and unsure about how to regain her confidence.

Anamika Tiwari, a wheelchair-bound aspirant, also shared her perspective. She emphasized the additional challenges she faces due to her disability, and how the cancellation of the exam has been a significant setback for her. Kunal Prasad, a 31-year-old Hazaribagh resident, pointed out that natural justice dictates that those who have not committed any wrongdoing should not be made to suffer for the actions of others.

The cancellation of the exam has also added another layer of complication for women aspirants, who already face social and personal pressures beyond the exam itself.