The Campus Review
August 10, 2026
Three members of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) have resigned amid escalating protests over alleged irregularities in state recruitment exams. Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar accepted the resignations of Dr. Ajita Bhattacharya, Dr. Anima Hansda, and Dr. Jamal Ahmed on August 9 following a recommendation from the state government.
The JPSC members resigned amid continuing protests by job aspirants in Ranchi after more than two weeks of sit-ins. Despite multiple rounds of talks with the government, protesters are demanding greater transparency and accountability in JPSC and JSSC examinations.
Key Events Leading to JPSC Members Resigning
The JPSC members’ resignations come after a series of developments that have deepened the Jharkhand examination controversy.
| Date / Timeline | Major Development | Impact on Controversy |
| July 22, 2026 | JPSC Chairperson L. Khiangte resigns amid the examination controversy | Initiates top-level leadership changes at JPSC |
| July 28, 2026 | CID questions former JPSC chief four times; arrests total 19 individuals | Intensifies law enforcement probe into alleged paper leaks |
| August 8, 2026 | CID issues official summons to three serving JPSC members | Increases legal pressure on the commission board |
| August 9, 2026 | Governor accepts resignations of three JPSC members | Leaves JPSC board vacant amid ongoing student protests |
| August 10, 2026 | Aspirants prepare for a protest march to the Jharkhand Assembly | Students press for a CBI probe and further exam cancellations |
Who Are the JPSC Members Who Resigned?
The three JPSC members who resigned are:
- Dr. Ajita Bhattacharya
- Dr. Anima Hansda
- Dr. Jamal Ahmed
Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar accepted their resignations on August 9, 2026, following a formal recommendation from the state government.
“The youth will receive justice, and those responsible for the irregularities will face the severest possible punishment. The solution to every issue lies in dialogue, not in the use of batons or bullets.”
- Hemant Soren, Chief Minister of Jharkhand
Speaking on the government’s stance regarding the ongoing investigation, the Chief Minister added:
“This government has its eyes and ears at the right place. I cannot open my heart and show, but it is known that I always complete any assignment that I take up. The investigation team is working day and night. Once we have the findings, we will act accordingly and inform the students and the state.”
- Hemant Soren, Chief Minister of Jharkhand
Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar also appealed to the protesting aspirants to resolve the issue through dialogue, noting that the administration was actively addressing the matter.
Why Are Students Protesting Against JPSC and JSSC?
Thousands of job aspirants have gathered at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi to protest against alleged paper leaks and examination irregularities in state recruitment tests. Aspirants state that frequent delays, alleged leaked answer keys, and a lack of procedural clarity undermine candidate merit and jeopardize years of preparation.
What Are the Protesters Demanding?
According to protesting aspirants, their major demands include:
- Cancellation of Disputed JPSC Exams: The 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination and JPSC Backlog recruitments (2023 and 2025).
- Cancellation of JSSC Tests: Complete rollback of disputed tests, including all JSSC CGL, JSSC JE, and PGT examinations conducted since 2019.
- CBI Probe: An investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into alleged recruitment exam irregularities and paper-leak networks.
- Transparency Measures: Public release of category-wise cut-off marks, candidate OMR answer sheets, and official response keys.
- Strict Accountability: Legal action against alleged examination mafias, officials allegedly involved in irregularities, and implicated private testing agencies.
The Jharkhand exam row comes amid wider efforts to curb paper leaks, including the Centre’s Anti-Paper Leak Amendment Bill.
How Has the Jharkhand Government Responded?
The Jharkhand government held extensive talks in Ranchi with student delegations. State Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu stated that the government had conceded nearly 98 percent of the demands raised by student groups.
“We had a meeting with the students in a cordial atmosphere. We understood the demands of students. The government is committed to deliberating on the students’ demand seriously.”
- Sudivya Kumar Sonu, Jharkhand Cabinet Minister
Government Actions Announced
Exam Cancellations: The state agreed to cancel three examinations: the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, the JPSC Backlog 2023 examination, and the JPSC Backlog 2025 examination.
CID & ED Probes: The state directed the Jharkhand CID to probe criminal aspects of the exam controversy, under which 19 arrests have been executed so far, and requested the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to investigate potential financial irregularities.
Fast-Track Courts: The government announced plans to establish fast-track courts to complete trials and file charge sheets within 90 days.
Expert Reform Panel: The administration proposed an expert panel with representatives from IIT-ISM Dhanbad, IIM Ranchi, and XLRI Jamshedpur to recommend systemic examination reforms.
Why Has the Government Not Cancelled the JSSC CGL Exam?
Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu clarified why the state executive could not cancel the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination.
“The state government cannot accept the demand to cancel the CGL examination because it was being conducted under the directives and oversight of the High Court and Supreme Court. We cannot dismiss candidates who were recruited through the CGL examination.”
- Sudivya Kumar Sonu, Jharkhand Cabinet Minister
The government offered to establish a monitoring committee headed by a retired judge to oversee probes into CGL allegations, but student leaders rejected the proposal and insisted on a full cancellation and CBI inquiry.
What Happens Next in the JPSC Exam Row?
The immediate focus remains on the government’s response to protesting aspirants, the ongoing CID investigation, and the future administration of state competitive tests.
JPSC members resign amid the continuing controversy, while student organizations planned a protest march to the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10 after talks with government ministers failed to resolve their objections to the JSSC examinations.
