Jharkhand cancels key recruitment test after student protests, but CBI probe still demanded

Ranchi – After more than two weeks of sustained demonstrations, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced on Wednesday that the state will scrap the contested recruitment test that sparked the protests. The decision came as student groups, backed by several civil society organisations, intensified their demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities surrounding the exam.

The unrest began in early March when candidates for the Jharkhand Administrative Service (JAS) and other state posts alleged that the question paper had been leaked and that the selection process was compromised. Protesters blocked major arteries in Ranchi, staged sit‑ins at government offices and held nightly rallies, urging the administration to both cancel the test and launch an independent investigation.

In a brief address from the chief minister’s office, Soren said the cancellation was intended to “restore faith in the recruitment process” and that a high‑level committee comprising senior bureaucrats and legal experts would examine the allegations. He added that the state would consider the next steps based on the committee’s findings, but stopped short of confirming a CBI inquiry.

Student leader Anup Kumar, speaking to reporters outside the police headquarters, welcomed the cancellation but warned that “the real demand – a transparent CBI probe – remains unmet.” He said the movement would continue until the central agency takes up the case, citing concerns that a state‑level review might lack the necessary independence.

Authorities have also promised to issue fresh notifications for the affected posts later in the year, pending the outcome of the review. Meanwhile, the protests have seen a gradual de‑escalation, with some groups resuming classes while others maintain a presence near the secretariat to keep pressure on the government.

The episode underscores the growing volatility in Jharkhand’s public‑service recruitment landscape and highlights the challenges state governments face when credibility is called into question. As the committee convenes, all eyes remain on whether the CBI will be summoned to investigate the alleged misconduct.

Original reporting: NDTV.