Bowing To 24-Day Protest, Hemant Soren Cancels JSSC-CGL And Scraps All TDPL Exams; Orders CID Probe Into All Jharkhand Exams Since 2014

Ranchi: Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday bowed to nearly a month of street protests and announced the scrapping of the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination amid tense situation in Ranchi. The Jharkhand government’s decision did not stop at one test, as Hemant Soren also announced that every recruitment and result published by the agency TDPL would also be void, and that a big clean-up of the state’s exam system was now underway.

Speaking after a fresh round of inconclusive talks with agitating students, the Chief Minister stated that the government had heard the grievances that have kept thousands on the streets for 24 days. He noted that a ministerial panel had already conceded several demands, but with trust in the process eroded, and stressed that only a complete reset would restore credibility.

The announcement came with two parallel tracks of accountability, as the state Cabinet decided that the CID would investigate all examinations conducted by TDPL since 2014, while a separate inquiry led by a retired judge would look into the irregularities. “All the exams conducted by TDPL and publication of results by TDPL are now cancelled. Examinations and recruitment conducted through TDPL stand cancelled,” the chief minister said.

CID And Judicial Inquiry To Cover A Decade Of Tests

Hemant Soren, while talking to reporters, stated that investigations by the CID and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had already uncovered “incriminating facts”. As a result, 20 people have been taken into custody in connection with alleged fraud and rigging. Among them is former JPSC chairman L Khiangte, who was appointed in February 2025 after retiring as chief secretary and was arrested on August 10, a day after all 3 JPSC members resigned amid the protests.

“All exams conducted from 2014 will be investigated by CID,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the administration would also consider implementing the Centre’s Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, passed by Parliament in July. The law prescribes up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to Rs 10 crore for organised cheating.