Ranchi, August 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Candidates selected through several recruitment examinations in Jharkhand have approached the Jharkhand High Court challenging the state government’s decision to cancel 22 examinations following alleged irregularities in the recruitment process.
Three separate petitions were filed on Tuesday and Wednesday by successful candidates from the 11th to 13th JPSC Combined Civil Services Examinations, the Food Safety Officer examination and the JSSC-CGL. The petitioners have also sought an urgent hearing, although the matters have not yet been listed.
Among the petitioners are Awadhesh Kumar, Deepmala, Sonam Kumari and Saurabh Singh, along with other successful candidates.
The candidates have primarily challenged what they describe as the unilateral cancellation of examinations and appointments without providing them an opportunity to be heard. Several petitioners had already joined government service after being selected, and said the decision has put their jobs and livelihoods at risk.
Invoking the principle of natural justice, the petitioners have argued that action should be taken against individuals only after their specific roles in any alleged irregularities are established through an appropriate investigation.
They have contended that they appeared for the examinations in accordance with prescribed procedures, secured their positions on merit and received valid appointments. Therefore, they argued, cancellation of the entire recruitment process without individual inquiry or hearing was unjustified.
In the JSSC-CGL case, some petitioners have also pointed out that the results were declared pursuant to earlier directions of the High Court. They have questioned the legality of subsequently scrapping the entire examination process.
The Jharkhand government had ordered cancellation of 22 recruitment examinations based on findings from investigations conducted by the CID and Special Investigation Team (SIT) into alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.
The cancelled examinations include the JPSC’s 11th to 13th Combined Civil Services Examinations and JSSC-CGL, besides examinations for posts including civil judge, deputy collector, food safety officer, drug inspector, assistant professor, lecturer, assistant engineer, forest range officer and assistant forest conservator.
The petitions are now awaiting listing before the High Court.
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