Soren scraps key examinations as student protests rock Jharkhand

18 AUGUST 2026

Jharkhand Chief Minister: Hemant Soren, Jharkhand
Examination cancelled: JSSC–Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination, 2025
Reason: Alleged irregularities and malpractice in recruitment examinations.
Protest duration: Students had been protesting for 24 days.
Agency involved: TSR Data Processing Pvt. Ltd. (TDPL), described as a blacklisted agency.
Major decision: All examinations conducted by TDPL since 2014 will be cancelled.
Investigation: SIT and CID investigations have reportedly uncovered irregularities.
Further investigation: Jharkhand CID will investigate examinations conducted from 2014 onwards.
Reform committee: A committee headed by senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal will recommend reforms in the examination system.
Main protest demand still pending: A CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities.
Protest leaders: Ravindra Paswan and Devendra Nath Mahto.
Government objective: Greater transparency and prevention of examination malpractice.
Important governance issue: The episode highlights the importance of transparent recruitment, accountability of examination agencies, and institutional reforms.