Jharkhand Cancels JSSC‑CGL Exam After Student Protest

Jharkhand’s Joint Seat Allocation Board (JSSC) and the Central Government’s Common Recruitment Level (CGL) exam, slated for March 2024, has been cancelled following a wave of student protests. The exam, which is a key pathway to government jobs in the state, had been scheduled to take place on 15 March. Students from across the state gathered in Patna and other major towns, demanding a postponement to allow adequate preparation time. The protests were largely peaceful, with students holding placards and chanting slogans. The state government, after consulting with the JSSC and the Union Public Service Commission, decided to cancel the exam. Chief Minister Hemant Soren, in a statement, said the decision was taken after reviewing the students’ concerns and that the government would look into rescheduling the exam at a later date. The cancellation has been welcomed by many students, but it also raises questions about the administrative process for government examinations in the state.