Jharkhand News: Jharkhand High Court Directs Government to Appoint New Chairman for JPSC at the Earliest

Ranchi, December 11, 2024: The Jharkhand High Court has directed the state government to fill the vacant position of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) chairman as soon as possible. The ruling came during the hearing of a writ petition filed by Pawan Kumar Verma regarding the delay in the publication of the interview results for the JPSC 11 to 13 Civil Services Examination. The court emphasized that the vacant chairmanship has disrupted several recruitment processes, including the publication of the exam results and interviews.

Court Urges State Government to Act Swiftly in Filling the Post

The High Court acknowledged that the position of JPSC chairman has remained vacant for over three months, resulting in significant delays in recruitment activities, including the crucial civil services exam process. The court noted that the absence of a chairman has affected the functioning of the commission, which is responsible for conducting interviews and finalizing the results of the JPSC 11 to 13 civil service exams. It further observed that such a delay has led to uncertainty for hundreds of candidates awaiting the outcome of their exams.

While the court typically refrains from intervening in state government policy matters, it found this case to be an exception due to its impact on the careers of numerous candidates. The lack of a functioning chairman has hindered recruitment procedures, leaving many civil service candidates in limbo.

Recruitment Process at Standstill as JPSC Chairman’s Role Remains Unfilled

During the court session, advocate Amritansh Vats, representing the petitioner, informed the court that the position of the JPSC chairman has been vacant for more than three months. After the completion of the JPSC 11 to 13 Mains exam in June, successful candidates have been eagerly awaiting their interview calls and results. However, due to the absence of the chairman, the recruitment process has been at a standstill. The delay in appointing the chairman has put the entire process on hold, affecting the timely completion of the interview and result publication.

The petitioner’s legal counsel further highlighted that the interview process, as per the JPSC calendar, was supposed to conclude in August. However, with the chairmanship position vacant, there is a growing concern that candidates may suffer from age limit issues and career setbacks due to the delays in the recruitment process.

Why the Delay in Appointing JPSC Chairman Despite a Functional Government?

As the newly-formed state government of Jharkhand is now in place, with the cabinet meetings underway and legislative sessions continuing, there is mounting pressure on the state to swiftly address constitutional appointments. Despite the ongoing government activities, the appointment of the JPSC chairman remains unresolved. This has raised questions regarding the state’s commitment to filling crucial constitutional positions in a timely manner.

Advocate Sanjay Piparwal, representing JPSC, responded to the court by stating that the commission is taking appropriate steps to complete the recruitment process. As soon as the vacant chairman’s position is filled, the commission will immediately resume the recruitment process and complete the pending tasks without further delay.

Ongoing Impact on Hundreds of Candidates

The delay in appointing the JPSC chairman has directly affected the recruitment schedules and the future of many candidates. Some candidates are worried about the loss of age eligibility, as the recruitment process continues to be postponed. The situation remains unresolved, with uncertainty surrounding the timeline for appointments and further delays in the civil service recruitment process.

The High Court’s directive underscores the urgency of addressing the leadership void at the JPSC to avoid further disruption of the recruitment process, which plays a vital role in the development and governance of the state. The state government faces growing pressure to act swiftly and fill the JPSC chairman’s position to ensure the timely completion of the recruitment process, which is crucial for the careers of hundreds of candidates.