Jharkhand Govt, Students Make Progress in Exam Reform Talks

• Jharkhand government agreed to a judicial inquiry into alleged exam irregularities.
• Proposal includes cancellation of three recruitment exams and creation of a fast-track court.
• Students welcomed several reforms but insisted on a CBI probe into the JSSC-CGL case.
• Protest entered its 16th day with six students continuing their hunger strike.

GG News Bureau
Ranchi, 9th Aug: Talks between the Jharkhand government and student representatives over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations made significant progress on Sunday, although the deadlock remained unresolved as students continued to press for a CBI investigation into the JSSC-CGL examination.

The meeting, held on the 16th day of the ongoing protest, resulted in the government accepting several key demands related to examination reforms. However, no consensus was reached on the students’ demand for a CBI probe, leaving the agitation and indefinite hunger strike in place for the time being.

State minister Sudivya Kumar said the government had agreed to constitute a judicial inquiry headed by a retired High Court judge to investigate the alleged examination irregularities. He also announced that a fast-track court would be established to hear such cases, with charge sheets to be filed within 90 days.

According to sources, the government also proposed cancelling three examinations, including the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) 2023 examination, JPSC 2025 examination, and the 14th Preliminary Examination.

Student leader Ravindra Paswan said the government had accepted most of the demands concerning recruitment reforms but refused to order a CBI inquiry into the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination.

“The government has agreed to a judicial inquiry under a retired judge and said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) would investigate if financial irregularities are found. However, students continue to demand a CBI investigation,” Paswan told reporters.

As part of the proposed reforms, all examinations conducted by the Lucknow-based testing agency TSR Data Processing Pvt. Ltd. (TDPL) will be scrutinised. The government also plans to seek assistance from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS) to strengthen the functioning of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

Meanwhile, three members associated with the JPSC Preliminary Test resigned on Sunday ahead of their scheduled appearance before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Those who submitted their resignations to the Governor are Ajita Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda and Jamal Ahmed.

The latest round of negotiations followed discussions over the past two days between the Hemant Soren government and various student organisations, including the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha (JCM) and Adivasi Chhatra Sangh (ACS).

The protest continues at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where student leader Devendra Nath Mahto remains on an indefinite hunger strike. Another protester, Rahul Krantim, is under medical supervision, while a total of six students are continuing their fast. Student representatives are expected to decide their next course of action after reviewing the government’s latest proposals.