Jharkhand High Court sets two-month deadline for government to appoint JPSC chairman, members

The Jharkhand High Court has set a two-month deadline for the state government to appoint the chairman and members of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC). File | Photo credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

The Jharkhand High Court has set a two-month deadline for the state government to appoint the chairman and members of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC).

Chief Justice MS Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar on Thursday (September 11, 2026) heard a petition initiated suo motu by the Supreme Court in the absence of the chairman and members of the commission.

Advocate General Rohitashya Roy informed the High Court that the appointment process for the post of Chairman is expected to be completed soon.

The court ordered the Solicitor General to file a compliance report on the matter by November 18. The court will hear the case again on November 19.

Earlier, while hearing the motion, the court ordered the government to inform by when it will complete the process of appointing the chairman and members of the commission.

The court discussed a proposal regarding the lack of officers and employees at the forestry department, during which it was informed that the positions of the chairman and members of the commission were vacant.

The absence of the Speaker has also affected the recruitment process of new officials and employees in various government departments.

The court had previously stated that the commission is a constitutional body and the post of chairman cannot remain vacant for a long time.

Former JPSC chairman L. Khiangte was arrested on August 10, a day after all three members of the panel resigned amid massive protests by aspirants over alleged irregularities in recruitment tests conducted by the commission.

Mr Khiangte was appointed chairman of the JPSC in February last year after retiring as general secretary.

All three JPSC members resigned on August 9 amid student protests. Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar accepted the resignation of Ajeeta Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda and Jamal Ahmad.

The resignation came after the CID summoned three members for questioning over allegations of irregularities, including paper leaks.

Published – 11 Sep 2026 12:36 IST