The Supreme Court issued notices to both the Centre and the state government on Monday concerning a plea for a comprehensive investigation into alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination. The plea calls for a time-bound inquiry by the CBI, highlighting serious concerns regarding the examination’s integrity.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana directed responses from the Union of India, the Jharkhand government, and the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC), among others. The allegation of malpractices in the examination has stirred discussions on transparency and accountability in state examinations.
Senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, representing the petitioner, defended the request for a CBI inquiry or alternatively, an inquiry led by a former judge of the Supreme Court. This submission underscores the pressing need for a rigorous evaluation of the recent examination process that underpins the recruitment of civil servants in Jharkhand.
The case emerged from a petition filed by activist Harisharan Devgan, who sought urgent intervention from the court through advocate Satyam Singh Rajput. The petition cites that the writ application falls under Article 32 of the Constitution of India, reinforcing the notion that citizens should have a recourse to judicial scrutiny in cases where public interest is at stake.
“The present writ petition aims to highlight significant concerns about the integrity, fairness, transparency, and credibility of the Jharkhand Combined Civil Services Preliminary Competitive Examination 2025, which the JPSC conducted following Advertisement No. 01/2026 on April 19, 2026,” the petition articulates.
The allegations raise alarms not only about the examination process but also about the broader implications for governance in Jharkhand. An impartial investigation, as sought in the petition, could set precedents for future examinations and the integrity of state services.
The Supreme Court’s response reflects a growing awareness and a proactive stance on issues pertaining to governance and accountability in the public sector. Activists and concerned citizens alike have called for transparency, underscoring the need for trust in institutions responsible for civil service recruitment.
As the petition reaches a critical juncture, the response from the authorities could shape the discourse around examination integrity and the role of the judiciary in protecting public interests. It remains to be seen how quickly the Centre and Jharkhand government will respond and whether the Supreme Court will order further investigations.
