The Jharkhand High Court on Thursday (August 20, 2026) stayed the operation of notifications cancelling the appointment of government employees through 11th to 13th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examinations.

The High Court also stayed the operation of the order cancelling the appointments of food safety officers.

Also Read | JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch calls off stir after Jharkhand govt scraps 22 recruitment exams

While hearing a petition against the government notifications, the Court asked the State to furnish its reply by September 15, the next date of hearing.

Petitioners’ advocate Amritansh Vats said that the court has prima facie stayed the notifications cancelling appointments through the 11th to 13th JPSC and the one for the appointment of food safety officers. He added that the Judge observed that it violates the principle of natural justice and hence the matter has been stayed.

The Court’s stay has provided relief to around 450 candidates, he said.

Earlier, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced the cancellation of the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination on Monday (August 18, 2026), 24 days after students began the protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment exams in the State.

The decision was taken during a four-hour emergency Cabinet meeting. He also announced that all examinations conducted since 2014 by TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL), a blacklisted agency, will be cancelled. He further said a committee will be formed under senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal to suggest reforms in the conduct of examinations in the State.

(With PTI inputs)

Published - August 20, 2026 04:37 pm IST