Jharkhand JPSC exam irregularities: Supreme Court plea seeks CBI probe

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court of India seeking an independent, time-bound investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination. The examination is conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) for recruitment to various state government positions.

The petition, filed by activist Harisharan Devgan and represented by advocate Satyam Singh Rajput, also includes an urgent request for an early listing of the matter. The petitioner argues that the allegations must be probed by an independent agency rather than the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is currently handling the case.

The plea emphasises the need for an impartial investigation into the conduct of public officials and examination agencies. It also urges that accountability be fixed and wrongdoers brought to justice, even though the State government has already cancelled the examination.

The controversy erupted after the results were declared on July 2, 2026. A carbon copy of a candidate's OMR answer sheet went viral online, allegedly showing irregularities in evaluation. The incident triggered protests and hunger strikes across the State, with students demanding an independent probe and structural reforms in the examination system.

So far, three JPSC members have resigned. The State government has agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services preliminary examination. Despite this, the petitioner contends that cancellation alone is insufficient to restore public confidence.

The petition argues that the CID, being a state agency, may face challenges in conducting an impartial investigation into officials of the same state. A CBI probe would ensure neutrality and credibility. The plea also seeks to preserve physical and digital evidence, including original and candidate-held OMR carbon copies, CCTV footage, and server audit logs, to prevent tampering.

The petition, filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, prays for directions to secure the evidence and to entrust the investigation to the CBI. The petitioner has requested an oral mention for urgent listing, citing the need to prevent any potential destruction of evidence and to uphold the rule of law.

The Supreme Court has not yet listed the petition. The case highlights broader concerns about transparency in recruitment examinations and the accountability of public institutions, as aspirants across India rely on such processes for fair selection.