Former Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) chairman L Khiangte has been arrested by the state CID in connection with allegations surrounding the commission’s 14th Civil Services Examination.
Khiangte had come under scrutiny over the decision to empanel TDPL, a blacklisted company, to conduct the JPSC 14th Civil Services Examination.
The former Jharkhand Chief Secretary resigned as JPSC chairman on July 22, 2026, saying that stepping down would help ensure a fair investigation into the allegations.
Before his arrest, Khiangte underwent several rounds of questioning by the state CID. Investigators reportedly questioned him for hours as they examined the allegations related to the examination process.
The CID has now taken the former JPSC chief into custody as part of its ongoing probe.
JSSC CGL PROTESTS INTENSIFY
The arrest comes amid widespread protests by JSSC CGL aspirants in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in the recruitment examination. Students in Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Dhanbad, Bokaro and other districts have been demanding greater transparency, accountability and an independent investigation.
The protests have intensified amid allegations involving question paper leaks, leaked OMR sheets and manipulation of the evaluation process. Although the state government has opened discussions with the protesting students, it has refused to cancel the JSSC CGL examination, keeping the issue at the centre of a major political and administrative controversy.
7 KEY DEVELOPMENTS FROM THE PROTEST
Police lathicharge protesters: Police used lathicharge after JPSC-JSSC aspirants moved towards the Jharkhand Assembly. Some protesters were reportedly injured.
Barricades breached, water cannons used: Demonstrators broke through several police barricades while marching from the Old Assembly towards the New Assembly. Security personnel deployed water cannons to stop them.
Devendra Nath Mahto joins protest on stretcher: Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a nine-day hunger strike, reached the Assembly march in an ambulance and was carried on a stretcher.
Government says most demands accepted: Jharkhand Minister Deepika Pandey Singh said the government had accepted nearly all demands that fell within its authority and was prepared to have the probe into the alleged irregularities conducted under judicial supervision.
JSSC-CGL cancellation remains unresolved: The government said it could not independently cancel the JSSC-CGL examination because the matter is connected to judicial directives.
Jairam Mahato supports students: JLKM MLA Jairam Kumar Mahato met the protesters and assured them that he would raise their concerns both inside and outside the Assembly. He also appealed to police to cooperate with the students.
Babulal Marandi seeks CBI probe: Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi criticised the Jharkhand government for failing to resolve the students’ concerns and demanded a CBI investigation into the alleged JPSC-JSSC examination irregularities.
