RANCHI: Jharkhand govt on Monday cancelled the JSSC CGL 2024 exam and scrapped all tests, results and selections conducted by private agency TDPL, yielding to a 24-day student agitation over exam malpractice in the state.The decisions came at a marathon five-hour special cabinet meeting chaired by CM Hemant Soren, amid mounting pressure from protesting job aspirants and BJP-led opposition.Soren announced a probe into all competitive exams conducted in the state since 2014 and said a high-level team led by IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal would draft comprehensive exam reforms.But JMM-led coalition govt remained silent on protesters’ demand for a CBI probe into exam malpractices. Admitting systemic lapses, Soren said established SOPs were “blatantly ignored” in past exams.Soren said, “SIT and CID probes have uncovered shocking revelations. While initial demands focused on CGL, the cabinet has now decided to order a sweeping probe into all competitive examinations conducted in the state since 2014.”Soon after the CM’s announcement, protesters broke into celebrations across Ranchi. The protesters didn’t comment on govt’s decisions till late Monday, with some saying they would decide their next move later.The Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission combined graduate level exam, held in Sept 2024 to recruit graduates for group B and C posts, has faced allegations of paper leaks, digital cheating and cover-ups.Protesters had also described TDPL as “tainted” and demanded cancellation of all exams conducted by the agency.Allegations of paper leaks and other irregularities had also surrounded the Jharkhand Public Service Commission’s 14th civil services preliminary exam, held across districts on April 19 to fill 103 group A and B administrative vacancies.Soren said govt’s Aug 9 decision to cancel the 14th JPSC exam and its 2023 and 2025 backlogs would stand.The cabinet decision rattled candidates who had cleared the 2024 CGL examination and already joined govt jobs. Several formed a symbolic human chain, appealing to govt not to take any step in haste that could jeopardise their future.The decision came before students’ planned gherao of Soren’s residence on Aug 20. It also followed Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s letter urging Soren to personally meet student representatives and resolve their grievances.“The youth of India is its future. We owe them our solidarity and support at this moment of crisis. Please do your utmost to hear them out and take appropriate action towards the resolution of this issue,” Rahul wrote.Congress faced a dilemma, having backed Jantar Mantar agitation while urging an end to the Ranchi protest as a partner in JMM-led govt. AICC sources alleged BJP seized control of some elements of the agitation and was keen to prolong it.BJP stepped up pressure Monday, with a three-member delegation meeting governor Santosh Gangwar and seeking his intervention.The agitation had entered its 24th day. Govt invited student representatives again for talks Monday, but the meeting was deferred after Soren summoned ministers for an extensive discussion.
