JPSC exam controversy deepens as CID probes contract award and financial links

The Jharkhand CID has arrested former Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Chairman L. Khiangte in connection with alleged irregularities in the commission’s 14th Civil Services Examination, intensifying a widening investigation into what officials are describing as a major recruitment scam involving senior JPSC officials and a private examination agency.

Khiangte, a former Chief Secretary of Jharkhand, had resigned as JPSC chairman on July 22, 2026, stating that his resignation would facilitate a fair and impartial investigation into the allegations.

According to investigators, the case centers on the selection of TDPL, a Noida-based private company that had allegedly been blacklisted, to conduct the JPSC examination. The CID is probing how the agency was awarded the contract and whether established procedures were bypassed.

The individuals named in the alleged scam include:

• Abhay Tiwari, Marketing Manager of TDPL

• L. Khiangte, former JPSC Chairman

• Shweta Gupta, JPSC Deputy Controller of Examinations

• Satyapal Singh, TDPL Director

• Rambir Singh, TDPL Director

• Sonu Kumar, JPSC employee

• Manoj Tirkey, JPSC employee

• Awadh, TDPL employee

ALLEGED FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS UNDER SCRUTINY

Investigators allege that Abhay Tiwari, described by officials as the suspected mastermind of the operation, paid a substantial advance amount running into crores of rupees to the then JPSC chairman and agreed to provide a 20% commission on the total earnings generated through the arrangement.

The CID is also examining allegations that Tiwari received 1.80 crore from JSSC Secretary Sudhir Gupta in connection with the JSSC CGL examination, with an alleged agreement involving a 25% share of the total earnings.

These allegations are part of an ongoing investigation, and officials have not yet announced any conclusions regarding the JSSC matter.

TIWAR'S PROFILE RAISES FURTHER QUESTIONS

What has particularly drawn investigators’ attention is Tiwari’s own record in competitive examinations. Currently posted as Block Supply Officer in Poraiyahat, Godda district, he has reportedly cleared 12 government recruitment examinations at both state and central levels.

Officials said he was the topper in the JSSC PGT English examination and had also qualified in examinations for Police Sub-Inspector (2018), Navy SAR (2013), Assistant at BARC (2014), IRB Constable, CRPF Head Constable (written and typing, 2018), NCL (2014), and several JPSC and JSSC examinations, including CGL, PGT Teacher, ACF, and FRO.

The CID is investigating allegations that Tiwari used his network to arrange government jobs in exchange for money. Investigators are also examining the alleged involvement of family members and relatives.

His wife, Sweety Pandey, is employed as an ASO in Jharkhand, while his brothers-in-law, Saurav and Gaurav Tiwari, are reported to be absconding.

ROLE OF SHWETA GUPTA UNDER INVESTIGATION

Shweta Gupta, who served as Deputy Controller of Examinations at JPSC, was responsible for several critical examination-related functions.

Although she was transferred to the Food and Supply Department on May 22, officials said she was not formally relieved from her JPSC responsibilities and continued to oversee sensitive aspects of the examination process.

During CID questioning, Gupta reportedly stated that the examination work was awarded to TDPL on a nomination basis without any tender process. Investigators are examining whether procurement norms and transparency requirements were violated in the selection of the agency.

The CID has also arrested Satyapal Singh and Rambir Singh, directors of TDPL. The agency had been contracted to manage public sector recruitment examinations in Jharkhand.

According to officials, both directors are facing allegations related to exam rigging, bribery, fraud, and financial irregularities connected to the conduct of the JPSC recruitment examination and the awarding of contracts.

The investigation into the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination remains underway, with protest taking new shape and on the streets of Ranchi, chaos has erupted , and authorities indicated that additional arrests and charges could follow depending on the evidence collected.