In a significant legal development, a special CBI court has summoned 60 individuals implicated in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) recruitment scandal, unveiling serious issues related to fraudulent alterations of examination marks and favoritism within the state’s civil service evaluations. Influential individuals are accused of securing high-ranking government positions for unqualified relatives, posing pressing questions about the integrity of the recruitment process and potentially leading to changes in governance policies in Jharkhand.

The court has mandated the summoned individuals to appear on April 15, 2025, after reviewing charges filed by the CBI regarding the JPSC Civil Services Examination scam.

The first two JPSC Civil Services Examinations, conducted post-Jharkhand’s establishment as a separate state, were plagued by significant irregularities. Investigations revealed that numerous candidates attained lucrative government roles without even submitting answer sheets. Initially overseen by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), the investigation was reassigned to the CBI in 2012 after the Jharkhand High Court intervened. Allegations pointed to a manipulated recruitment process that favored undeserving candidates—resulting in key appointments in positions such as Deputy Collectors, Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP), and Sales Tax Officers.

The CBI’s inquiry scrutinized the hiring of 62 officers from the first JPSC batch and 172 from the second. Over 12 years, forensic examinations confirmed the illegitimate alteration of marks on answer sheets, revealing favoritism towards individuals related to politicians and bureaucrats.

The initial results of the first JPSC exam were announced in 2004, followed by the second in 2008. As corruption claims emerged, the state government initially tasked the Vigilance Department with investigating. However, subsequent Public Interest Litigations (PILs) led to a High Court demand for a CBI probe.

In 2012, the High Court, led by Justice N. Tiwari, froze the salaries and postings of 20 officers from the first batch, but the Supreme Court later stayed this implementation in 2014. A review petition filed by the Jharkhand government in 2017 prompted the Supreme Court to resume the CBI investigation, which unveiled widespread irregularities in the examination process, including fraudulent mark enhancements through tampering on answer sheets and selections based on forged documentation.

Criminal charges were lodged under sections 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, alongside sections 13(2) and 13(1)(D) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Advanced forensic methods confirmed the mark alterations, while testimonies from examiners, alongside forensic reports, provided vital evidence of the fraud and the involvement of both officials and candidates.

A number of the accused currently hold high-ranking government roles. Some candidates have been promoted to Additional District Magistrate (ADM), and others have advanced from DSP to Superintendent of Police (SP). The CBI is currently seeking the Jharkhand government’s approval to prosecute these individuals.

During the investigation, accused candidates were afforded opportunities to defend themselves, but the cumulative forensic evidence, coupled with examiner testimonies and reports, corroborated claims of numerous officials’ complicity in the fraudulent activities.

The inquiry uncovered that the former JPSC chairman, members, and relatives of political leaders engaged in unethical practices to secure public positions. Allegations indicate that during the examination processes, M/s NCCF, responsible for computer-related tasks, facilitated fraudulent selections, notably including Dheeraj Kumar assisting his relative Sanjeev Singh. Former JPSC member Gopal Prasad Singh reportedly ensured the appointments of his sons, while Shanti Devi and Radha Govind Nagesh supported the hiring of their respective relatives.

Notable figures among the accused also include Mukesh Kumar Mahto, brother of former Jharkhand minister Sudesh Mahto; Radha Prem Kishore, sibling of Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore; and Ramkrishna Kumar, a relative of Union Minister Annapurna Devi.

This JPSC recruitment scandal underscores the alarming abuses of influence that allowed individuals to secure jobs unmerited by talent or integrity. The CBI’s findings raise grave questions about the sanctity of Jharkhand’s civil service recruitment processes and the reliability of prior JPSC examinations. With the court summoning 60 accused individuals, this case holds the potential not only to alter recruitment policies in Jharkhand but also to establish a precedent for more stringent monitoring of public service examinations across India.