The Jharkhand High Court has stepped in to halt, for now, the state government’s decision to cancel two examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC).

The interim relief came while the court considered petitions concerning the 11th to 13th JPSC examinations and the recruitment test for Food Safety Officers. The state government has been given 15 days to submit its response along with a counter-affidavit.

Until the matter is considered further, the cancellation order concerning the two examinations will remain suspended. The court has also directed that petitioners connected with the examinations be permitted to return to work with immediate effect.

Court intervention follows recruitment protests

The order comes amid a larger dispute over the integrity of government recruitment examinations in Jharkhand.

Earlier this month, the state government announced the cancellation of 22 recruitment examinations and ordered investigations into another 23 tests conducted since 2014. The examinations were held by the JPSC, Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) and an external agency.

The move followed a 26-day protest organised by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, which had alleged irregularities in the recruitment process. The government maintained that cancelling the examinations and initiating inquiries was necessary to rebuild candidates’ confidence in the system.

After discussions with the government, the protesters suspended their agitation on Wednesday, giving the Hemant Soren administration two months to address their concerns and ensure a credible investigation.

Several hunger strikers also ended their protests. Three individuals who had been fasting for 15 days called off their strike on Wednesday, while JLM leader Devendra Mahto had ended his 16-day fast earlier in the week.

The protesters have warned that the agitation could resume on a larger scale if their demands are not addressed within the agreed period.

Successful candidates challenge cancellations

The government’s decision has also created a separate problem: candidates who had already cleared some of the examinations and secured government appointments are now facing uncertainty.

Around 2,000 successful candidates, particularly those selected through the JSSC Combined Graduate Level examination, have protested against the cancellations and approached the High Court.

Their argument is that candidates who qualified on merit should not lose their jobs because of alleged misconduct or manipulation by other individuals.

Some of those appointed had already started working in departments including finance, home, road transport, labour and information and public relations.

Candidates also entered the Jharkhand Secretariat premises on Wednesday despite restrictions imposed by the authorities.

Government plans recruitment reforms

The state government has indicated that it intends to seek judicial directions for establishing a fast-track court to handle cases involving alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations.

It has also proposed setting up dedicated vigilance mechanisms within both recruitment bodies.

A committee headed by senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal has been tasked with examining the functioning of the two commissions and recommending changes to their examination and recruitment procedures. The committee has been given two months to submit its recommendations.

CID investigation widens

Meanwhile, the Jharkhand CID is continuing its probe into alleged malpractice in recruitment examinations.

Investigators have arrested Sushma Kumari, the wife of alleged key accused Abhay Tiwari, along with his brother Akshay Tiwari after questioning them. Abhay Tiwari, who previously worked for outsourced agency TDPL and was later posted as a block supply officer in Godda, was arrested on July 22.

Investigators allege that Tiwari managed to qualify in roughly a dozen competitive examinations over a 13-year period. These reportedly included recruitment tests linked to the police, Indian Navy, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, CRPF and Northern Coalfields.

The investigation has also alleged the existence of different payment structures for candidates seeking help in clearing competitive examinations. According to investigators, the alleged amounts varied from around ₹2 lakh to ₹70 lakh.

With the High Court now putting two exam cancellations on hold, the legal battle has added another layer to Jharkhand’s ongoing recruitment controversy. The court’s further proceedings will determine whether the government can proceed with the cancellations or whether successful candidates and other petitioners receive longer-term protection.