Live: Jharkhand exam protest: Hemant Soren govt scraps JSSC-CGL exam; Devendra Mahto ends 16-day fast

Investigators from the CID probing the suspected exam irregularities carried out raids at the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) headquarters. According to sources, officials interrogated JSSC Secretary Sudhir Gupta, while another dedicated CID unit raided his private residence located in Ranchi. In a related action, the CID took into custody B.N. Ram, the former Personal Secretary to ex-Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) member Ajita Bhattacharya. Additionally, former JPSC Chairman L. Khiangte was remanded to judicial custody after undergoing 48 hours of intense questioning following his arrest on August 10, 2026. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has declared the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL test; however, students plan to maintain their protest until a CBI inquiry is ordered.

Responding to the scrapping of the exam and administrative measures, Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who had been fasting for 16 days, stated, “My congratulations to every protesting candidate, and I express gratitude to CM Hemant Soren for considering our demands. Crucially, a rigorous investigation must take place to apprehend every corrupt person involved and unmask the key organizers of these syndicates.” Mr. Mahto broke his fast at Ranchi’s Sadar Hospital in the attendance of Jharkhand Cabinet Ministers Dipika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren made an announcement late Monday (August 18, 2026) cancelling the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination, coming 24 days into the student movement against state recruitment exam irregularities. The call was finalized following a four-hour urgent Cabinet gathering. The Chief Minister also stated that all recruitment tests organized since 2014 by TDPL (TSR Data Processing Private Limited), a blacklisted entity, stand cancelled. Additionally, he noted that a panel headed by senior IAS official Amitabh Kaushal will be instituted to recommend procedural reforms for future state examinations.