Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court has quashed the cancellation of JSSC-CGL 2023 recruitment, bringing major relief to thousands of selected candidates. The court ruled that the Jharkhand government’s decision to cancel the recruitment was contrary to earlier judicial orders. However, the appointments will remain subject to the final outcome of ongoing criminal investigations into alleged examination irregularities.
Jharkhand High Court Quashes JSSC CGL Recruitment Cancellation
The Jharkhand High Court has set aside the state government’s August 18, 2026, notification that cancelled recruitment under Advertisement No. 10 of 2023 conducted by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
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Justice Deepak Roshan passed the order while hearing petitions filed by candidates challenging the cancellation of their recruitment and appointments.
The court directed that the affected candidates must be treated as continuously employed without any break in their service.
It also ordered that they should not lose their salaries or other service benefits because of the government’s cancellation notification. However, the court made it clear that their appointments would remain subject to the final outcome of the pending criminal cases related to alleged examination malpractice.
What Is The JSSC CGL Recruitment 2023 Controversy
The dispute concerns the Jharkhand General Graduate Level Combined Competitive Examination (JGGLCCE)-2023, conducted by JSSC under Advertisement No. 10 of 2023. The recruitment process covered several government positions, including:
- Assistant Section Officer
- Junior Secretariat Assistant
- Labour Enforcement Officer
- Planning Assistant
- Block Welfare Officer
- Block Supply Officer
- Circle Inspector-cum-Kanoongo
The examination was initially scheduled for January 28 and February 4, 2024. However, authorities cancelled it following reports of a question paper leak. The examination was later conducted again on September 21 and 22, 2024.
After the examination, several candidates raised allegations of irregularities and malpractice in the recruitment process. Two writ petitions were filed, including a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and another petition filed by 1,011 unsuccessful candidates.
JSSC CGL Recruitment: Earlier High Court And Supreme Court Orders
On December 17, 2024, a Division Bench of the Jharkhand High Court directed the registration of an FIR to investigate the alleged examination irregularities.
Following the order, two cases were registered by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Ranchi, in January 2025.
Later, on December 3, 2025, the High Court’s Division Bench declined to cancel the examination and directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to complete its investigation within six months. The court also directed JSSC to publish the final results and the state government to appoint successful candidates.
JSSC published the final results on December 8, 2025. On January 5, 2026, the Supreme Court declined to interfere with the High Court’s decision. However, the Supreme Court clarified that all appointment letters would remain subject to the final outcome of the criminal prosecutions related to the alleged examination irregularities.
Why Did The Jharkhand Government Cancel The Recruitment
Following protests in Ranchi in July 2026 over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, the state government issued a notification on August 18, 2026.
Through this notification, the government cancelled 22 examinations, including the JSSC recruitment conducted under Advertisement No. 10 of 2023.
The government referred to allegations of widespread examination fraud, manipulation of OMR sheets, digital irregularities and destruction of evidence. It argued that separating genuine candidates from those who may have benefited from malpractice was difficult.
However, the affected candidates challenged the decision before the High Court.
They argued that the government could not cancel a recruitment process that had already been considered by the High Court and Supreme Court. They also argued that appointed candidates should not lose their jobs without proper legal grounds and protection under applicable service rules.
What Did The High Court Say About The Government’s Decision
After examining the arguments, the High Court found that the government’s decision could not stand in view of the earlier judicial orders.
The court observed that the state government could not reopen an issue that had already been considered by constitutional courts simply by referring to additional investigation materials or arrests.
It also found that there was no completed investigation establishing that widespread malpractice had compromised the entire selection process.
The court explained that authorities must examine whether candidates involved in malpractice can be identified and separated from genuine candidates.
It further observed that the government had not established sufficient grounds to cancel the entire recruitment without following the principles of natural justice.
The court emphasised that executive decisions must respect existing judicial orders and the rule of law.
What Happens To Selected JSSC Candidates Now
The High Court’s decision provides major relief to candidates who were selected and had already joined government service. The important directions include:
- Cancellation Quashed: The August 18, 2026, notification has been set aside concerning recruitment under Advertisement No. 10 of 2023.
- Service Continuity: The affected petitioners will be treated as continuously employed without any break in service.
- Salary And Benefits: They cannot be denied monetary or other service benefits because of the cancellation notification.
- Investigation Continues: The ongoing criminal investigation into alleged examination malpractice must continue fairly and reach its logical conclusion.
- Appointments Remain Conditional: The appointments will remain subject to the final outcome of all related criminal prosecutions.
The court also directed the petitioners to cooperate with the investigation. Importantly, the judgment does not end the investigation or give immunity to anyone found involved in examination malpractice.
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FAQs
The High Court has directed that the affected petitioners be treated as continuously employed without any break. They are also entitled to applicable monetary and other service benefits despite the cancellation notification.
No. The Jharkhand High Court has quashed the state government’s August 18, 2026, notification that cancelled the JSSC-CGL recruitment under Advertisement No. 10 of 2023. The appointments have been protected, subject to the final outcome of criminal prosecutions.
Yes. The Jharkhand High Court has directed that the investigation into alleged examination irregularities must continue fairly until its logical conclusion. The appointments will remain subject to the final outcome of the criminal prosecutions.
