# Jharkhand recruitment crisis: Expanding CID probe and legal > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/jharkhand-psc-exam-controversy > Updated: 2026-09-06T05:01:11.000Z. Sources: 74. Developments: 20. The investigation into recruitment irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) has expanded significantly. Following the arrest of former JPSC Chairman L. Khiangte, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) received a confession from prime accused Abhay Kumar Tiwari, a former marketing manager at the outsourcing agency TDPL. Tiwari alleged that the 2026 Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) examination was rigged, claiming TDPL set a minimum bribe of approximately Rs 10 lakh per candidate to favor individuals from other states. Tiwari implicated former JPSC member Ajita Bhattacharya, alleging a Rs 10 lakh payment was made to her personal assistant regarding the selection of a candidate named Kajal Bharti. He also identified an ITI project manager, Krishna, as a middleman and detailed a Rs 15 lakh arrangement involving a candidate named Rajak. New findings from the CID reveal a sophisticated syndicate involving software and physical tampering. Statements from arrested employees and directors suggest that the vendor agency, M/s TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL), collaborated with Picker Technology Private Limited to develop software that allowed officials to identify specific candidates and alter their answers directly in the database. Additionally, officials allegedly removed blank answer sheets from the JPSC strongroom, had them filled out at hotels or rented apartments, and secretly returned them to the secure facility. Regarding the 2024 JSSC-CGL examination, the CID has arrested Rajan Kumar, a resident of Patna, who allegedly took aspirants to a hotel in Niyamatpur, West Bengal, to memorize examination questions and answers. This arrest brings the total number of individuals apprehended in the JSSC-CGL case to 11 since August 18. The CID has questioned more than 250 successful candidates as it prepares a preliminary report for the state government. ## Claims - A total of 14 arrests have been made in connection with the JPSC paper‑leak investigation. (disputed by 5 sources) - L. Khyangte voluntarily resigned from the JPSC chairmanship. (disputed by 4 sources) - CID has arrested ten people, including JPSC staff and TDPL officials, linked to the exam irregularities. (disputed by 3 sources) - Jharkhand CID conducted raids at more than 20 locations across five districts, seizing laptops, mobile phones, OMR‑sheet copies, admit cards and bank passbooks. (disputed by 3 sources) - L. Khiangte has been arrested and is currently in judicial custody. (disputed by 3 sources) - The Jharkhand government cancelled the JSSC-CGL examination and all recruitment exams conducted by the private agency TDPL. (corroborated by 15 sources) - Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto ended a hunger strike that lasted 16 days following the government's decision to cancel the exams. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Students demand cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The government ordered a comprehensive investigation into all recruitment examinations conducted by the JPSC and JSSC from 2014 to the present. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Protesters announced they will surround Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence on August 20 if their demands are not met. (corroborated by 8 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-06: Jharkhand CID arrests suspect in JSSC-CGL exam irregularities case Jharkhand CID has arrested Rajan Kumar for allegedly orchestrating exam fraud in the JSSC-CGL recruitment test. Over 250 candidates have been questioned as the probe into the paper leak continues. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cid-intensifies-jssc-cgl-exam-investigation-in-jharkhand ### 2026-08-31: Jharkhand examination scam involves software and strongroom tampering A CID investigation in Jharkhand has exposed a massive scam in JPSC and JSSC exams involving software manipulation and the physical tampering of answer sheets taken from secure strongrooms. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jharkhand-examination-scam-involves-software-and-strongroom-tampering ### 2026-08-31: Jharkhand CID arrests ninth person in JSSC exam irregularities case The Jharkhand CID has arrested Sameer Kumar, bringing the total number of arrests to nine in the investigation into alleged JSSC CGL recruitment examination irregularities. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jharkhand-cid-arrests-ninth-person-in-jssc-exam-irregularities-case ### 2026-08-26: Jharkhand recruitment scam: Kingpin confesses to rigging CDPO seats A prime accused in the Jharkhand recruitment scam has confessed to the CID, alleging that CDPO seats were sold for at least Rs 10 lakh each and implicating former JPSC officials. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jharkhand-recruitment-scam-probe-widens-after-kingpins-confession ### 2026-08-23: JPSC exam scam: CID intensifies probe into recruitment fraud The CID is investigating a massive JPSC and JSSC exam scam in Jharkhand, questioning over 100 candidates and targeting former JPSC Chairman L. Khayante and mastermind Abhay Tiwari for bribery and fraud. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cid-raids-coaching-centers-in-jharkhand-over-jpsc-exam-scam ### 2026-08-23: Babulal Marandi criticizes Jharkhand government over student protests Jharkhand Opposition Leader Babulal Marandi has accused Chief Minister Hemant Soren of suppressing student protests regarding JPSC and JSSC recruitment disputes and demanded a public apology. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/babulal-marandi-criticizes-jharkhand-government-over-student-protests ### 2026-08-16: Jharkhand cancels JSSC-CGL and TDPL recruitment exams amid probe Jharkhand has cancelled the JSSC-CGL and TDPL recruitment exams following 24 days of student protests. The government has ordered a probe into all recruitment exams since 2014 and formed a reforms committee. 48 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jharkhand-congress-calls-special-meeting-over-student-protests ### 2026-08-15: Jharkhand Governor calls for recruitment exam reforms Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar has demanded reforms to the state's recruitment examination system to prevent question paper leaks and malpractices that undermine student trust. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jharkhand-governor-calls-for-recruitment-exam-reforms ### 2026-08-15: Ranchi students hold Tiranga Yatra amid exam protest Students in Ranchi held a tricolor march to protest alleged exam irregularities in JPSC and JSSC, while police prevented hunger-striking student leaders from joining the procession due to health concerns. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ranchi-students-hold-tiranga-yatra-amid-exam-protest ### 2026-08-12: Jharkhand student protests spark political conflict between NDA and Soren government NDA leaders in Bihar and Jharkhand are criticizing the Hemant Soren government over student protests and paper leaks, alleging suppression of protesters and a lack of accountability. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jharkhand-student-protests-spark-political-conflict-between-nda-and-soren-government ### 2026-08-11: Jharkhand Public Service Commission faces crisis over exam irregularities The Jharkhand Public Service Commission faces crisis following exam irregularities, leading to the resignation and arrest of its former chairman and several members. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jharkhand-public-service-commission-faces-crisis-over-exam-irregularities ### 2026-08-09: Jharkhand CM seeks student input to reform exam systems Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren has invited students to suggest reforms for the state's examination and recruitment systems via a new portal to ensure transparency and prevent paper leaks. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jharkhand-cm-seeks-student-input-to-reform-exam-systems ### 2026-08-07: Rahul Gandhi backs Jharkhand student protests over JPSC paper leak Rahul Gandhi voiced support for Jharkhand students protesting a JPSC paper leak, prompting JD(U) MLA Neeraj Kumar to demand dialogue and a stronger exam system, while Socialist Party MP Ramashankar Rajbhar laud 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rahul-gandhi-backs-jharkhand-student-protests-over-jpsc-paper-leak ### 2026-08-03: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Addresses Student Protests Over JPSC Exam Scandal Jharkhand students, led by Devendra Nath Mahato, protest and hunger‑strike over alleged JPSC‑JSSC exam fraud; CID raids seize evidence and make 14 arrests; CM Hemant Soren vows constitutional justice, while AJS 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jharkhand-student-leader-launches-hunger-strike-demanding-exam-reforms ### 2026-07-30: Aditya Sahu calls for CBI probe and dismissal of JPSSC members over exam scandal Jharkhand BJP leader Aditya Sahu demands CBI investigation and removal of JPSSC members over alleged exam fraud, accusing the state government of a cover‑up and calling for broader probes of recruitment scams. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aditya-sahu-calls-for-cbi-probe-and-dismissal-of-jpssc-members-over-exam-scandal ### 2026-07-29: Jharkhand Student Protest in Ranchi Demands Clean JPSC and JSSC Exams Students in Ranchi have staged an indefinite sit‑in demanding clean JPSC and JSSC exams, calling for a CBI probe, exam cancellation, and strict penalties, after a protester climbed a mobile tower during the sit 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ranchi-students-march-demanding-fair-jpsc-and-jssc-recruitment-exams ### 2026-07-27: Jharkhand PSC chair resigns amid exam scandal Jharkhand PSC chair L. Khyangte resigned amid CID‑led probe of exam irregularities; ten arrests made, seats allegedly sold for ₹40 lakh, and the 14th Civil Services exam postponed. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jharkhand-jpsc-exam-scandal-deepens-as-former-chief-resigns-and-cid-interrogates ### 2026-07-24: Jharkhand Public Service Commission recruitment scam: CID arrests bring total to 10 Jharkhand CID has arrested two more people in the JPSC recruitment scam, bringing total arrests to ten and revealing that main suspect Abhay Tiwari used a hotel to facilitate candidate setting. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jharkhand-public-service-commission-recruitment-scam-cid-arrests-bring-total-to-10 ### 2026-07-22: Jharkhand Public Service Commission exam controversy sparks CID raids and protests Protests in Ranchi demand cancellation of Jharkhand's 14th civil service exam amid fraud claims, while CID raids JPSC and the blacklisted TDP L agency, detaining eight officials and seizing digital evidence. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jharkhand-public-service-commission-exam-controversy-sparks-cid-raids-and-protests ### 2026-07-03: Jharkhand PSC clears 2,204 candidates for civil service main exam JPSC announced 2,204 candidates cleared for the civil service main exam, scheduled for 18‑20 July in Ranchi; interview qualifying marks removed. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jharkhand-psc-clears-2204-candidates-for-civil-service-main-exam --- Cite as: Jharkhand recruitment crisis: Expanding CID probe and legal. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/jharkhand-psc-exam-controversy