Ranchi: The controversy surrounding the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) intensified on Sunday after three serving members of the state’s premier recruitment body resigned amid an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. The development comes at a time when thousands of government job aspirants across Jharkhand are protesting, demanding transparency, accountability and major reforms in the recruitment system.
JPSC members Ajita Bhattacharya, Dr Jamiel Ahmed and Dr Anima Hansda submitted their resignation letters to Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar. The resignations were accepted after the state government recommended approval of their exit from the commission.
The simultaneous resignation of three senior members of the constitutional recruitment body has created a major political and administrative challenge for the Hemant Soren government, especially as the Jharkhand Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is already probing allegations related to examination management, selection of private agencies, procedural violations and possible malpractice in recruitment examinations.
The resignations have come during an intense investigation into alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations. The CID is examining multiple aspects of the recruitment process, including the role of commission officials, decision-making procedures, examination monitoring systems, agency selection and compliance with established recruitment guidelines. Investigators are also analysing whether proper administrative protocols were followed during different stages of examinations, including question paper preparation, digital security, evaluation process, result declaration and handling of confidential candidate data.
The agency is reportedly examining the involvement of JPSC members in important decisions related to examination management and the selection of external agencies responsible for conducting recruitment tests. The probe aims to establish whether there were any administrative lapses, violation of procedures or negligence in maintaining the integrity of the examination system.
A major focus of the CID investigation is the role of TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL), a Lucknow-based private examination service provider that conducted JPSC examinations. Investigators are examining the process through which TDPL was selected and whether proper verification, technical assessment and monitoring mechanisms were followed before assigning examination-related responsibilities to the company.
The probe is also looking into allegations related to examination security, digital infrastructure, data protection, candidate information management and the functioning of private agencies involved in government recruitment examinations. Officials are examining contractual documents, empanelment procedures, communication records, digital audit trails and administrative approvals to identify possible irregularities. The investigation is also focusing on whether the commission maintained adequate oversight over external agencies handling sensitive examination operations.
The CID investigation has already resulted in the arrest of 19 people allegedly linked to the JPSC examination irregularity case. Those arrested include employees connected with TDPL, technical staff, officials and individuals suspected of involvement in the alleged recruitment malpractice network.
From the JPSC side, Deputy Controller of Examinations Shweta Kumari Gupta, staff member Sonu Kumar and computer operator Dharmendra Kumar have also been arrested and questioned by the investigating agency.
The CID has also taken action against candidates allegedly involved in examination fraud and suspected middlemen who may have played a role in the alleged irregularities. The investigation is continuing to trace the complete chain of responsibility and identify whether more officials, agency employees or other individuals were involved.
The investigation has also brought former JPSC Chairman L. Khiangte under scrutiny. The CID questioned him several times and conducted searches at his residence and office as part of the inquiry. Following these developments, Khiangte resigned from the post of JPSC Chairman.
During the investigation, officials examined issues related to the examination result approval process, including questions over the procedure followed before announcing preliminary examination results.
The agency is trying to determine whether required approvals were obtained and whether commission members were aware of the procedures followed during the release of examination outcomes. The investigation is also examining whether internal rules and administrative safeguards were properly implemented.
The JPSC controversy has intensified amid a growing student movement in Jharkhand. Government job aspirants have been protesting against alleged irregularities, recruitment delays and lack of transparency in competitive examinations. Students under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch have demanded cancellation and review of examinations allegedly affected by irregularities.
The protesters have specifically raised concerns over the Preliminary Test of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination and other examinations conducted through private agencies. Their key demands include a detailed investigation report, public disclosure of findings, strict legal action against guilty persons, transparent recruitment procedures and structural reforms in JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
Students have also demanded stronger examination security systems, improved monitoring mechanisms and accountability of officials responsible for conducting recruitment tests. The JPSC examination controversy has also become a major political issue in Jharkhand. Opposition parties have questioned the recruitment process and demanded strict action against those found responsible for alleged irregularities.
The Hemant Soren-led government has maintained that no person involved in examination malpractice will be protected and that the CID investigation will proceed in a fair and impartial manner. The government has assured that legal action will be taken against individuals found guilty based on investigation findings and available evidence. The administration has also indicated the need for strengthening examination systems and improving transparency in future government recruitment processes.
The resignation of three JPSC members has added a new dimension to the ongoing examination controversy and raised serious questions over the functioning of Jharkhand’s recruitment mechanism. The case has highlighted wider concerns related to examination governance, involvement of private agencies, digital data security, administrative accountability and protection of candidates’ interests.
For thousands of government job aspirants preparing for competitive examinations, the outcome of the CID investigation and proposed reforms in JPSC and JSSC will be closely monitored. As the investigation continues and student protests remain active, the JPSC examination row has emerged as one of the biggest administrative challenges for Jharkhand, putting the credibility and transparency of the state’s recruitment system under intense public scrutiny.
