Ranchi: At the centre of Jharkhand’s biggest recruitment examination row in recent years is TSR Data Processing Pvt Ltd (TDPL), a Lucknow-based agency whose footprint in the state’s recruitment ecosystem expanded despite alleged repeated controversies surrounding examinations conducted by it.The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is probing alleged irregularities in multiple Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) examinations, is examining not only the alleged manipulation of results and answer sheets but also the process through which TDPL secured contracts and the money trail behind the alleged scam.Of the total 20 arrests by CID so far, investigators have already nabbed many TDPL functionaries, including director Ramveer Singh and marketing manager Abhay Tiwari, alleged to have played a key role in the operation.According to CID sources, TDPL employees allegedly functioned as ‘marketing agents‘, identifying aspirants willing to pay hefty sums for selection in various competitive examinations.The agency is also reportedly probing allegations that candidates were charged between Rs 60 lakh and Rs 1 crore for coveted posts in state govt departments, while lower amounts were allegedly fixed for forest service recruitments. The allegations remain under investigation and have not yet been tested in court.CID sources said investigators are tracking how money allegedly moved between candidates, middlemen, company officials and others linked to the examination process. The probe is also examining allegations that certain JPSC officials facilitated TDPL’s appointment despite reservations raised internally about the company’s background.The focus on TDPL extends beyond Jharkhand. Reportedly, TDPL was also allegedly linked to controversies surrounding recruitment examinations in Uttar Pradesh, including the UP Assembly secretariat recruitment process.Reports have also claimed that TDPL had faced adverse findings in connection with examination-related operations in different states before obtaining sensitive examination responsibilities in Jharkhand.The CID probe has further raised questions over the manner in which the agency was appointed in 2025. Investigators are checking claims that TDPL was brought in through a nomination process rather than a competitive bidding mechanism.The agency is also probing allegations that answer keys were circulated before official declaration of results and that blank OMR sheets may have been manipulated to favour selected candidates.Following a 26-day agitation by job aspirants, the Hemant Soren govt this week cancelled 22 exams conducted by JPSC and JSSC and also ordered wider scrutiny of 17 recruitment tests since 2014. However, high court on Thursday clamped a stay on govt action in 11th to 13th JPSC exams.
