Ex-JPSC Chairman L Khiangte arrested as students intensify protest
Ranchi: The Jharkhand examination controversy took a dramatic turn as former Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) chairman L Khiangte was arrested by the state CID in connection with allegations surrounding the commission’s 14th Civil Services Examination.
Khiangte, who had also served as Jharkhand’s Chief Secretary, was facing questions over the empanelment of TDPL, described in the allegations as a blacklisted company, to conduct the JPSC 14th Civil Services Examination. He resigned as JPSC chairman on July 22, 2026, stating that his resignation was intended to facilitate a fair investigation into the matter.
His arrest comes amid growing anger among aspirants over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment and examination system.
The controversy has triggered large-scale protests by JSSC CGL aspirants across Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Dhanbad, Bokaro and other districts. Students have been demanding transparency, accountability and an independent investigation into allegations including question paper leaks, leaked OMR sheets and manipulation in the evaluation process.
The agitation intensified during the latest protest in Ranchi, where JPSC-JSSC aspirants marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly. Police resorted to lathicharge after protesters moved closer to the Assembly, with some protesters reportedly injured. Security personnel subsequently used water cannons to disperse the demonstrators.
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a nine-day hunger strike, also joined the Assembly march. He arrived in an ambulance and was carried on a stretcher as protesters continued their demonstration.
The government’s response has so far failed to resolve the central dispute over the demand for cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination.
Jharkhand Minister Deepika Pandey Singh said the government had accepted nearly all demands that fell within its powers. She also said the government was willing to have an investigation into the alleged irregularities conducted under judicial monitoring.
However, the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination remains a major sticking point. The government has maintained that it cannot unilaterally cancel the examination because the matter is linked to judicial directives.
Jharkhand Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi accused the state government of failing to address the concerns of students and demanded a CBI investigation into the alleged JPSC-JSSC examination irregularities.
The arrest of former JPSC chairman L Khiangte is likely to further intensify scrutiny of the commission’s functioning and the recruitment process.
For thousands of aspirants, however, the immediate issue remains the credibility of the examination system. They are demanding that allegations of paper leaks, OMR-related irregularities and evaluation manipulation be investigated independently and that those found responsible face strict action.
With protests continuing and the CID investigation now involving a former head of the state’s premier recruitment body, the JPSC-JSSC examination row has emerged as a major political and administrative challenge for the Jharkhand government.
