JSSC-CGL Exam Cancelled: Selected Candidates Protest Outside Jharkhand Secretariat, Call Decision Unfair (Videos)

Dozens of appointed candidates and successful job aspirants gathered outside the Secretariat at Project Bhawan on Monday to stage a demonstration against the Jharkhand government’s decision to cancel the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination. The peaceful protest erupted shortly after Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced the scrap of the JSSC-CGL exam along with all recruitment activities managed by outsourced agency TSR Data Processing Pvt Ltd (TDPL) since 2014. Protesters argued that a blanket cancellation unfairly penalizes legitimate rank-holders who cleared the selection process following extended legal battles and months of service.

Protesters Demand Investigation Over Blanket Scrap

Demonstrators at the state government administrative complex urged the state leadership to isolate corrupt practices without invalidating the merit of transparent candidates. Representatives at the site maintained that if irregularities were detected during examinations, the government should deploy law enforcement to identify guilty individuals rather than nullifying the recruitment drive in its entirety. JSSC-CGL Cancelled: Hemant Soren Government Scraps TDPL Exams Since 2014 Amid Student Protests.

Protesting candidates voiced frustration over the sudden loss of employment, with several highlighting that they had surrendered previous jobs or relied on prior Supreme Court and High Court rulings validating their appointments. Calling for a review of the executive decision, the group signaled plans to approach the courts for legal relief if the state government does not reconsider.

Government Accepts Demands After 24-Day Student Agitation

The state cabinet’s decision followed a 24-day indefinite agitation by job aspirants and student outfits demanding accountability for alleged recruitment paper leaks and systemic corruption. Following a lengthy cabinet meeting on Monday, Chief Minister Hemant Soren accepted key demands presented by the primary protesting factions, confirming that Special Investigation Team (SIT) and CID probes revealed significant irregularities and collusion involving outsourced recruitment agencies.

In addition to cancelling the JSSC-CGL exam, the state government initiated a comprehensive review into all competitive examinations held from 2014 onwards. The administration also formed an examination reforms committee, headed by senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal, tasked with submitting recommendations to restructure recruitment security and eliminate malpractice across all stages. ‘Students’ Demands Met, but Struggle for Education Reforms to Continue’: Devendra Nath Mahato After Cancellation of TDPL, JSSC-CGL Exam.

Selected Candidates Protest JSSC-CGL Cancellation

#WATCH | Ranchi, Jharkhand: JSSC CGL aspirants, who cleared the exam, stage a protest at Project Bhawan against the state government’s decision to cancel the exam

One of the protestors says, "Following the government's decision, I am left on the streets. I would like to tell my… pic.twitter.com/xw5CqK0yWB

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2026

VIDEO | Ranchi: After the Jharkhand government's decision to cancel the JSSC CGL examination, appointed candidates who had served for months staged a protest at the Project Building.

(Source: Third Party)

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) pic.twitter.com/tg84ZA3ZJT

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 17, 2026

Uncertainty Looms over Thousands of Job Aspirants

The blanket nullification leaves the recruitment landscape in Jharkhand deeply divided. While student groups leading the weeks-long strike celebrated the cancellation as a step toward administrative accountability, hundreds of working and appointed candidates now face immediate joblessness. The state government has assured that public feedback will be integrated into the new examination framework to ensure future tests remain fair, transparent, and legally secure.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 18, 2026 12:07 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).