The Jharkhand High Court on Thursday stayed the state government’s decision to cancel the 11th and 13th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examinations and the appointments made through them, providing relief to candidates whose jobs were at risk.
The interim order came after successful candidates challenged the government’s decision to annul the examinations and subsequent appointments amid allegations of irregularities in the recruitment process. The court’s intervention puts the cancellation on hold while the legal challenge is heard.
Candidates challenge blanket cancellation
Meanwhile, a large group of candidates selected through various government recruitment examinations continued their protest outside the Project Bhawan Secretariat in Ranchi on Thursday against the state government’s decision to cancel 22 recruitment examinations, including the JSSC-CGL.
The selected candidates gathered outside the main entrance of Project Bhawan and raised slogans such as “Justice do ya phansi do”, “Coaching mafia hai hai” and “We Want Justice”. Security arrangements were strengthened in and around the state secretariat in view of the protest.
Candidates selected through the JSSC-CGL, Food Safety Officer examination and several other recruitment tests have alleged that the government cancelled their appointments without giving them an opportunity to present their case. They maintained that they had appeared for the examinations honestly and secured their jobs through a transparent selection process.
The candidates argued that if irregularities were committed by individuals or agencies, action should be taken against those responsible instead of cancelling the appointments of candidates who had cleared the examinations fairly.
Govt had cancelled 22 recruitment exams
The legal challenge follows the Jharkhand government’s decision to cancel 22 recruitment examinations amid a prolonged protest by job aspirants over alleged irregularities in the state’s recruitment system.
The cancelled examinations included the 11th-13th JPSC Combined Civil Services examination, the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services examination, JSSC-CGL, Jharkhand Eligibility Test-2024 and the 6th Limited Deputy Collector examination, among others. The government also ordered investigations into several other recruitment processes.
The decision had triggered a fresh wave of protests by successful candidates who feared losing appointments they had secured after clearing the examinations. This put two groups of candidates at odds — aspirants demanding action over alleged examination irregularities and selected candidates seeking protection of appointments they said were earned legitimately.
Relief for appointed candidates
The High Court’s stay provides temporary relief to candidates appointed through the affected JPSC examinations. The court has also directed successful candidates covered by the order to resume their duties, according to details emerging from Thursday’s proceedings.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing, with the state government required to respond to the petitions. The court’s intervention means the broader dispute over the validity of the examinations, alleged irregularities and the government’s decision to cancel them will now be examined judicially.
Also read: Jharkhand students end 26-day agitation, give govt 60 days
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