Jharkhand High Court Stays Cancellation of JPSC Appointments Amid Ongoing Recruitment Scandal

The Jharkhand High Court on August 20, 2026, stayed a state government order that cancelled appointments made through the 11th to 13th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examinations. Justice Deepak Roshan issued the stay, noting that individuals cannot be removed from permanent jobs without adhering to the principles of natural justice. The court also stayed the cancellation of food safety officer appointments and requested a state reply by September 15. The state government had previously cancelled 22 recruitment examinations following weeks of public protests over alleged irregularities, including paper leaks, bribery, and OMR sheet manipulations.

Student unions and job aspirants had previously announced a 60 day suspension of their indefinite sit in after the Hemant Soren led government conceded to several demands. These concessions included the cancellation of 22 exams and a probe into 23 others conducted by the JPSC and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) since 2014. While some student leaders expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister, others continue to demand a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) rather than the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID). A petition has also been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a time bound CBI probe to ensure accountability and the security of digital and physical evidence.

Political reactions to the crisis vary based on political lean. Center right framing emphasizes the government's concession to student demands as a resolution to the agitation. In contrast, center left framing highlights the legal challenges to the government's actions and the allegations from the opposition. Babulal Marandi, the Leader of Opposition, described the government's decision to cancel exams as an arbitrary decree and a political conspiracy intended to quell protests while shielding those responsible for the irregularities. A BJP delegation recently met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to discuss the situation and express support for the student agitation.