JET 2026 exam cancelled at Ranchi and Bokaro centres after paper shortage sparks protests

Ranchi: Jharkhand Public Service Commission cancelled examinations at two centres after large-scale protests erupted during Jharkhand Eligibility Test (JET) 2026 over question paper issues.

At a centre in Ranchi and another in Bokaro, candidates created a ruckus after question papers were either unavailable or not clearly readable. At Bokaro, chaos broke out at Sardar Patel Public School in Sector 9 when 32 question papers of one set did not reach centre.

Candidates were informed around 12:30 pm that paper had been mistakenly sent to Dhanbad, triggering anger among aspirants who began protesting. Considering seriousness of situation, commission cancelled Education subject exam (Code 009) at Bokaro centre and Odia subject exam (Code 023) at a centre in Ranchi.

Commission said fresh dates, timing and centre details will be announced soon on its official website. Hundreds of candidates raised slogans against administration, questioning exam arrangements. Situation turned tense, prompting deployment of heavy police force. Senior officials, including district administration and police officers, reached spot to control situation.

Many candidates, including those from outside Jharkhand, said last-minute cancellation caused financial and mental distress as they had travelled long distances, some booking tickets at short notice for an exam being held after 18 years.

Commission has urged candidates to avoid rumours and rely only on official updates. Incident has raised serious concerns over preparedness and transparency of examination process.

Meanwhile, JET was successfully conducted across the state on Sunday after a long gap of nearly 18 years, drawing strong participation from candidates. Dhanbad witnessed smooth and peaceful conduct of the examination across 70 centres under strict supervision.

The exam was held across six major districts—Ranchi, Bokaro, Dhanbad, East Singhbhum, Hazaribagh and Deoghar—with a total of 435 centres set up statewide.

Conducted by Jharkhand Public Service Commission, the examination is considered crucial for eligibility to become Assistant Professors in universities and affiliated colleges, as well as for PhD admissions.

To ensure transparency and prevent irregularities, biometric attendance and iris verification systems were implemented at all centres. District administration and police teams remained active throughout the process, maintaining strict surveillance.

Candidates described the question paper as balanced and academically aligned, with a strong focus on research-based topics. Many said the long-awaited exam has brought renewed hope in the higher education sector.

With the successful conduct of the exam after nearly two decades, candidates are now awaiting results, which are expected to play a key role in shaping their academic and professional future.