Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: The Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) is facing allegations of violating its own transparency rules after refusing to show answer sheets to candidates, even though a provision exists for both successful and unsuccessful applicants to view their copies after results are published.
Rule Introduced to Ensure Exam Transparency
JPSC had introduced a provision under the Rules of Procedure 2002 (Chapter III, Rule 4(xiii)) stating that after publishing results, every candidate—whether selected or not—should be allowed to see their answer sheets and receive a breakup of total marks. The deadline to apply for copy viewing was fixed at 60 days from the date of the result.
Hard Copy Marksheets and RTI Support Provision
As per the same rule, JPSC was also supposed to prepare hard copies of all candidates’ marksheets after results, signed by the examination controller, deputy examination controller, programmer, and assistant programmer. One copy was to be provided to the Public Information Officer, specifically to support information requests under the Right to Information Act, 2005. JPSC had officially implemented this rule through an office order dated January 15, 2015.
Candidate Says Commission Refused Even After Appeal Order
Among hundreds of pending applications, Rajeev Kumar, a section officer in the Jharkhand government, also applied to view his answer sheets after appearing in the Combined Civil Services Examination 2023. After receiving no response, he filed an appeal before the First Appellate Authority, which directed JPSC to provide the requested information.
Following the order dated October 17, 2025, the Public Information Officer reportedly wrote to the examination controller seeking the relevant file so the information could be provided. However, Rajeev Kumar has still not received access to his copies.
Growing Questions Over Implementation of JPSC’s Own Rules
The case has raised serious questions over why JPSC is not following the very rule it framed to maintain transparency in examinations, especially when the First Appellate Authority has already issued a direction to release the information.
