Amid growing concerns over the integrity of competitive examinations across the country, students in Jharkhand's capital Ranchi staged a protest on July 29 against the functioning of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), alleging large-scale irregularities and demanding a transparent recruitment process.

The students marched from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to Albert Chowk, raising slogans against the recruitment bodies and calling for accountability in government recruitment examinations. Protesters alleged that the selection process lacked transparency and claimed deserving candidates were being denied opportunities.

Student Khushi Kumari, speaking during the protest, said the only demand of the aspirants was a fair recruitment process.

"Our only demand is that the Public Service Commission examination be conducted fairly and with transparency," she said.

Another aspirant alleged that the entire recruitment process had been compromised by malpractice.

"The JPSC's entire recruitment process has been marred by malpractice. Some of my batchmates, with whom I studied, had already told me in advance who would be selected," the student claimed.

Demand to Cancel 14th JPSC Examination

Falguni, an aspirant from Dhanbad who appeared for the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination, alleged multiple discrepancies in the recruitment process.

"I came from Dhanbad. I appeared for the JPSC examination. We found several discrepancies in the process. The cut-off marks for the 14th JPSC were not released, and numerous errors were identified in the OMR sheets," she alleged.

Demanding corrective action, she said the examination should be scrapped and conducted afresh.

"We demand that the 14th JPSC examination be cancelled and a fresh examination be conducted under a fair and proper process. We also want complete accountability and transparency throughout the recruitment process," she added.

CID Probe Intensifies

The protest comes amid an ongoing Crime Investigation Department (CID) investigation into alleged irregularities in the JPSC recruitment process.

According to officials, eight people have been arrested in connection with the case in two phases. Five of the accused, former JPSC Deputy Examination Controller Shweta Gupta, TDPL Director Ramveer Singh, Md Usman, Md Ebaad and Abhay Kumar Tiwari have been taken into five-day police remand for interrogation.

The controversy erupted after the JPSC declared the preliminary examination results of the 14th Combined Civil Services Examination earlier this month.

Against 103 advertised vacancies, the Commission shortlisted 2,204 candidates for the Main examination. Soon after the results were announced, candidates questioned the Commission for not releasing category-wise cut-off marks and raised objections regarding the merit list.

BJP Targets Jharkhand Government

The issue has also triggered a political confrontation.

Jharkhand BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo claimed thousands of students had taken to the streets against alleged irregularities in the JPSC preliminary examination. In a post on X, while tagging Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, he alleged that the recruitment process had witnessed large-scale rigging and accused the ruling JMM-Congress government of failing to ensure transparency.

He further claimed that allegations had surfaced of recruitment seats being sold for crores of rupees and pointed out that the CID had already arrested several accused, including a former Assistant Examination Controller. He questioned whether the Congress would seek the resignation of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who also holds the Education portfolio.

Issue Raised in Parliament

The recruitment scam has also reached Parliament.

BJP MPs led by Jharkhand BJP President Aditya Sahu staged a protest on the Parliament premises against the alleged JPSC, JSSC and Excise Constable recruitment scams. The party demanded a CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities and strict action against those responsible.

Union Minister Sanjay Seth also demanded a CBI probe and urged the Congress to withdraw support from the JMM-led Jharkhand government while seeking Chief Minister Hemant Soren's resignation.

BJP MP Bidyut Baran Mahato alleged that corruption had become institutionalised under the present state government and supported the demand for an independent investigation, claiming such recruitment controversies had become a recurring issue in Jharkhand.

The Jharkhand government and the JPSC are yet to issue a detailed response to the latest allegations raised during the protest.