The Jharkhand High Court has quashed the state government’s decision to cancel the 2024 Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination, providing major relief to thousands of successful candidates. Justice Deepak Roshan, while hearing multiple petitions filed by candidates who had cleared the examination, ruled that the government’s notification cancelling the recruitment process was “unfair and unjust.” The decision restores hope for many candidates whose appointments were thrown into uncertainty after the state government annulled the examination over allegations of irregularities and question paper leaks.

The Jharkhand government had cancelled the JSSC-CGL examination in August 2026 as part of a broader move to scrap 22 recruitment examinations conducted since 2014 following widespread protests by job aspirants demanding action over alleged malpractice. The cancellation effectively left thousands of selected candidates and newly appointed government employees without jobs. During the hearing, the state argued that the decision was necessary because of evidence suggesting large-scale irregularities and paper leaks. However, the petitioners maintained that they were never given an opportunity to present their side before such a drastic decision was taken.

The High Court noted the concerns raised by the successful candidates and set aside the cancellation order while legal proceedings continue. Meanwhile, investigations into the alleged irregularities have not been stopped. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Jharkhand CID is continuing its probe into the alleged paper leak and recruitment malpractice. The ruling is expected to have a significant impact on thousands of candidates whose careers depended on the outcome of the examination, while the state government may decide its next legal course based on the court’s judgment.