Jharkhand recruitment exam scam

Jharkhand recruitment exam scam is the scam surrounding paper leak happened in early 2024 and then again in July 2026 for the high profile government recruitment exams in the state of Jharkhand.[1] In August 2026, Chief Minister Hemant Soren cancelled the exams, following the massive protests around Jharkhand, upon which the protestors announcing for CM residence gherao on 20 August.[2][3][4]

Background and timeline

  • Late 2023 – Early 2024: Initial Leaks & Cancellations, January 28, 2024:- The Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) conducts the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination. Within hours, third-paper question sets and answer keys circulate widely across social media and messaging platforms.[5]
  • January 31, 2024:- Amid rising outrage, the JSSC officially cancels the entire CGL examination.
  • February 2024:- The state government orders a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the CID to probe the breach. Initial arrests include middle-level operators and suspects linked to Bihar-based examination syndicates.[6]
  • Mid to Late 2024: Retests & Legal Battles, September 21–22, 2024:- JSSC re-conducts the CGL exam for over 3 lakh candidates. Shortly after, candidates allege fresh irregularities, citing circulated answer scripts and suspicious candidate groups transported to locations like Bokaro and Nepal prior to the test.
  • Mid-2025:- The CID files preliminary reports indicating that question papers were accessed for financial gains prior to the exam. However, the state government reconstitutes the SIT.
  • December 2025:- The Jharkhand High Court dismisses a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a CBI probe, noting a lack of conclusive evidence presented by the newly formed SIT, and directs the JSSC to release the CGL exam results.[7]
  • 2026:- CID Breakthroughs, High-Profile Arrests & Scrapping, August 2026:- CID makes major arrests, including Abhay Tiwari (former marketing manager at private vendor agency TDPL and a candidate who secured rank 48 in the same exam). During interrogation, he reveals how papers were leaked from printing partner Webel and candidates were charged up to ₹12 lakh each.[8]
  • August 6–10, 2026:- CID arrests multiple high-profile individuals, including former Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Chairperson L. Khiangte, for utilizing blacklisted evaluation agencies. Massive student protests and hunger strikes erupt in Ranchi demanding a CBI inquiry.[9]

Reactions

Following the irregularities in the conducting of exam, student organisations such as All India Students' Association (AISA) and others started their protest in Ranchi.[10]

On August 10, 2026, student leader Devendra Nath Mahato called for "Vidhan Sabha Gherao" march to the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly in Ranchi, where Jharkhand Police stopped the protestors enroute and was lathi-charged along with detention. Following which, Mahato was admitted to Sadar Hospital, Ranchi due to police-protestors clash.[11][12]

Chief Minister Hemant Soren said that he committed to resolving paper leak issue amid students' protests.[13]

The state's primary opposition party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took the protest to an aggressive level, demanding resignation of Soren, as Chief Minister (who also holds portfolio of Education), along with BJP Jharkhand former President Deepak Prakash and former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and leader of opposition in the assembly, Babulal Marandi demanding CBI probe.[14]

The alliance partner of ruling JMM-led government, Indian National Congress top leadership from New Delhi threatened to withdraw support from the government if no action taken and demands met of the students.[15]

Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also backed the students movement of Jharkhand along with writing letter to CM Soren.[16][17]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Why are Jharkhand students protesting JSSC-CGL? The paper leak allegations and court battle explained". The Print. 11 August 2026. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  2. ↑ "'Became jobless instantly': JSSC-CGL aspirants who cleared exam slams Jharkhand decision". Hindustan Times. 18 August 2026.
  3. ↑ "Jharkhand govt cancels JSSC-CGL exam, orders probe into irregularities since 2014". India Today. 18 August 2026.
  4. ↑ "'CM will have to resign if…': Jharkhand protesters announce march to Soren residence". The Indian Express. 17 August 2026.
  5. ↑ "Jharkhand has its Jantar Mantar moment as anger swells over exam leak". The Indian Express. 6 August 2026. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  6. ↑ "Students Hold Sit-in Protest Outside Jharkhand Assembly, Congress Condemns Police Action". The Wire. 10 August 2026. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  7. ↑ "JSSC-CGL 'paper leak': Jharkhand HC rejects PIL seeking CBI probe". The New Indian Express. 3 December 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
  8. ↑ "How JSSC-CGL 2024 exam was leaked; JPSC paper leak mastermind Abhay Tiwari tells CID". The Week. 11 August 2026. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  9. ↑ "Jharkhand exam scam: CID arrests key accused's wife, brother who cleared JSSC-CGL". The Times of India. 18 August 2026. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
  10. ↑ "Jharkhand: AISA joins students' protest in Ranchi, warns CM Hemant Soren". ANI. 7 August 2026. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  11. ↑ "'Govt. will have to listen to us': Devendra Nath Mahato joins 'Vidhan Sabha gherao' march". The Hindu. 10 August 2026. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
  12. ↑ "Jharkhand exam row: JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto hospitalised after 9-day hunger strike". The Times of India. 10 August 2026. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  13. ↑ "CM Soren says Jharkhand committed to resolving paper leak issue amid students' protests". The New Indian Express. 5 August 2026. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  14. ↑ "Jharkhand exam leak protests enter Day 9; BJP backs students, seeks CBI probe into JPSC, JSSC". The Times of India. 2 August 2026. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
  15. ↑ "Jharkhand students pause stir for 60 days after exams cancelled". Hindustan Times. 20 August 2026. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  16. ↑ "Rahul backs Jharkhand students, says governments must listen to protesters". The Hindu. 10 August 2026. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  17. ↑ "Letter to ally JMM, but message for students: Rahul Gandhi's balancing act". The Indian Express. 17 August 2026. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
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