Former JPSC Chairman L Khiyangte Taken Into Custody After Multiple CID Questioning Rounds

Former Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) chairman L Khiyangte has been taken into custody by the Jharkhand CID in connection with its probe into alleged irregularities in the 14th Combined Civil Services Examination, according to reports. The development follows more than seven rounds of questioning as investigators widen their probe into the examination process.

CID Probe Into 14th JPSC Exam

The CID investigation began after candidates and student groups raised allegations of irregularities and procedural lapses in the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Examination.

The agency has been examining the conduct of the examination, preparation of results, handling of digital data and the role of officials and the private agency involved in the process.

The investigation intensified in July when the CID and Ranchi Police conducted searches at the JPSC headquarters and the premises of the examination-conducting agency. Investigators seized examination-related documents and digital material, including computer records, hard disks and pen drives, according to reports.

Khiyangte's Residence Searched

CID officials also searched Khiyangte's residence in Ranchi as part of the investigation. The search continued for several hours, with investigators examining documents and records linked to the commission. Officials did not publicly disclose details of any material seized during the operation.

Khiyangte resigned as JPSC chairman amid the investigation.

Five Arrests Followed By Further Action

The CID has already arrested several people in connection with the alleged examination irregularities. Among those arrested were former JPSC Deputy Controller of Examinations Shweta Kumari Gupta, TSR Data Processing Private Limited director Ramveer Singh and company associates Md Usman, Md Ebad and Abhay Kumar Tiwari. They were subsequently remanded in judicial custody.

Two more arrests on July 25 took the total number of arrests in the case to 10, according to the CID. The latest accused were identified as JPSC employee Sonu Kumar and Arvind Kumar, an associate of Abhay Tiwari.

Recruitment Exams Under Scrutiny

The controversy has also affected the JPSC examination calendar. The commission postponed the 14th Combined Civil Services Main Examination-2025 and deferred examinations scheduled between July and September 2026 until further orders.

The CID's investigation is continuing, with officials examining the alleged roles of JPSC personnel, the outsourced examination agency and others linked to the recruitment process. The allegations remain under investigation.