Chief Minister Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government may take a major decision amid the ongoing student agitation, potentially cancelling the 14th JPSC preliminary examination along with several other examinations currently under process, sources told Times Now.
The government may cancel the 14th JPSC exam along with several other examinations. The 2023-25 backlog exams are also likely to be cancelled. All previous examinations conducted by the exam-conducting agency TDPL would be brought under scrutiny, with strict action promised if any irregularities are found.
The CID has been tasked with completing a fair investigation into the entire matter within a 90-day deadline.
Additionally, the government has committed to holding extensive discussions with students on examination reforms to ensure transparent, malpractice-free exams in the future, with student representatives to be made part of the reform process.
Though no firm consensus has been reached on a CBI probe, sources indicate the government may also try to build consensus around a judicial inquiry in place of a CID or CBI investigation, and could accept the students’ reform-related demands.
The government will engage in extensive consultations with students to ensure the conduct of transparent and malpractice-free examinations in the future. Student representatives will be made a part of this reform process.
These potential decisions are being considered in view of the sustained student protest at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.
This comes after three rounds of talks between the representatives of the Jharkhand government and the agitating students.
The Hemant Soren government has also held three rounds of talks separately with different student groups, including the Congress’ student wing NSUI, Jharkhand Chhatra Manch and Adivasi Chhatra Sangh.
Speaking at Adivasi Mahotsav on Sunday, CM Soren said, “Our youth are staging protests and agitations to claim their rights. It is precisely because of our government’s actions that they have found the courage to step forward, protest, and demand their due, for we have exposed the wrongdoing.”
“The youth will receive justice, and those responsible for the irregularities will face the severest possible punishment… There is no need to view this matter through a political lens or to seek political patronage,” he added.
#WATCH | Ranchi, Jharkhand | On the JPSC-JSCC aspirants' protest, Chief Minister Hemant Soren says, "Our youth are staging protests and agitations to claim their rights. It is precisely because of our government's actions that they have found the courage to step forward, protest,… pic.twitter.com/O5oEjbcAH2
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2026
What Happened During Friday and Saturday Talks
An eight-member delegation of the Mahto-led group met the government panel, which comprised five members. The delegation of the protesters comprised Rama Avatar Mahto, Chandan Kumar, Dinbandhu Mandal, Bimal Kumar, Puja Kumari, Prem Kumar, Ravi Shankar and Amit Kumar Sharma.
State minister Dipika Pandey Singh said the talks were held in a positive atmosphere and recruitment discrepancies explained by students will be resolved soon.
Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar said the government has issued an email ID, jpsc.jssc.feedback@gmail.com, seeking suggestions from aspirants on reforming the recruitment processes.
The first round of talks between a 10-member delegation of theJPSC/JSSC Reforms Manch and a government panel failed to break the deadlock on Friday.
The students have been demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) exam and an independent probe into the alleged irregularities either by the CBI or by a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state, besides comprehensive reforms in the JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
The CID, probing the alleged recruitment scam, has so far arrested 19 people and former JPSC chairman L Khiangte has been questioned four times since July 28.