About 2,000 candidates appointed through the JSSC-CGL examination held a torch-light protest march in Ranchi on Tuesday [1].
The demonstration highlights a growing conflict between the state government and recruited officials over the legality of the selection process. Because the government cancelled the recruitment exam, the jobs of those already appointed are now in jeopardy.
Protesters marched through the capital of Jharkhand to demand that the state reverse its decision to cancel the exam [1]. Representatives for the candidates also called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities during the recruitment process [2].
"We are demanding a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities of the recruitment process," a protest representative said [2].
The unrest follows a period of instability regarding state recruitment. Some reports indicate that students have continued an indefinite stir for five consecutive days [3]. The protesters have previously threatened to gherao the assembly to bring attention to their grievances [3].
Chief Minister Hemant Soren has previously addressed the tension surrounding the JPSC and JSSC exam rows. Speaking in Ramgarh on Aug. 4, Soren said the state government has "eyes and ears" and is sensitive to the concerns of students [4]. He added that the government will deliver justice [4].
The candidates argue that the cancellation unfairly penalizes those who were already placed in government departments. They maintain that a federal investigation is the only way to ensure transparency, and protect the appointments of legitimate candidates [2].
“"We are demanding a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities of the recruitment process."”
This dispute reflects a broader systemic struggle in Jharkhand over the integrity of public sector hiring. By cancelling the exam, the government aims to purge irregularities, but in doing so, it has created a legal and social crisis for thousands of appointees. The demand for a CBI probe suggests a lack of trust in state-level investigations, signaling that the resolution may require federal intervention to restore public confidence in the civil service pipeline.
