Jharkhand Politics & Governance

Union Budget allocates ₹7,536 crore for railway development in Jharkhand

1 February 2026

The Union Budget for 2026–27 allocated ₹7,536 crore for railway development in Jharkhand, as announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Two additional Amrit Bharat Express services were approved; one was planned between Dhanbad and Coimbatore. The state had 12 Vande Bharat and four Amrit Bharat services.

Railway projects worth ₹63,470 crore were reported to be under way in Jharkhand.

Key Facts

• Amrit Bharat Express is a low-cost, non-air-conditioned long-distance service offering sleeper and unreserved accommodation.

Jharkhand reviews district health spending and hospital readiness

2 February 2026

Jharkhand’s Health Department reviewed spending and facility readiness under the National Health Mission , the Chief Minister’s Hospital Maintenance Scheme, the 15th Finance Commission and PM-ABHIM. Additional Chief Secretary Ajay Kumar Singh directed districts to ensure hospitals had necessary equipment, address minor repair needs and expedite bills for timely payment.

Officials directed districts to use at least 60% of available 15th Finance Commission funds and submit utilisation certificates for spending by urban local bodies and deputy development commissioners by 13 February.

Key Facts

• The National Health Mission seeks equitable, affordable, accountable healthcare access for people in rural and urban areas.

JAC begins 2026 matriculation and intermediate examinations

3 February 2026

The Jharkhand Academic Council began its 2026 matriculation and intermediate examinations on 3 February, with more than 7.48 lakh candidates across 1,989 centres. Matriculation had 4,23,861 candidates at 1,232 centres, while intermediate had 3,24,321 candidates at 757 centres.

CCTV cameras, magistrates and police personnel were to be deployed at examination centres, with question papers monitored from treasury dispatch through the examination process.

Key Facts

• The Jharkhand Academic Council prescribes courses and syllabi, conducts examinations, publishes results, awards certificates and recognises schools.

ACB takes over Dhurwa Dam land case

3 February 2026

The Anti-Corruption Bureau took over an FIR registered at Ranchi’s Nagri police station concerning alleged encroachment in the Dhurwa Dam catchment and began its investigation. The case concerns alleged land transfers and related revenue records for land that the state government told the High Court had been acquired for the dam. The investigation follows a court direction to identify officials allegedly involved in illegal transfers, mutation entries and the issuance of rent receipts.

Key Facts

• Dhurwa Dam, also called Hatia Dam, supplies drinking water to Ranchi and nearby areas.

Investment proposals for Jharkhand total about ₹1.27 lakh crore

4 February 2026

Jharkhand received letters of intent for investment proposals totalling about ₹1.27 lakh crore across steel, power, manufacturing, automobiles and cement, the state government said. The proposals included ₹70,000 crore from the Jindal Group and ₹11,000 crore from Tata Steel; the investments remain proposed.

Jindal’s proposals included a planned steel plant at Patratu, a 1,400-megawatt nuclear power project subject to required approvals and a 140-megawatt solar project.

Key Facts

• The reported EASyMelt process would use electricity and syngas to reduce carbon emissions by 50%.

High Court seeks affidavit on encroachment around Ranchi dams

4 February 2026

The Jharkhand High Court sought an affidavit from the Ranchi Deputy Commissioner on land acquired for the Dhurwa, Kanke and Getalsud dams, encroachments and measures to remove them. It also sought a report from the Ranchi Municipal Corporation on compliance with an earlier court order. The state government said action to remove encroachments was under way in the Dhurwa Dam area and along the Harmu and Hinoo rivers.

Key Facts

• Dhurwa, Kanke and Getalsud dams supply drinking water to Ranchi residents, making catchment-area encroachment relevant to the city’s water security.

High Court orders FIR in Chaibasa hospital HIV-infection case

4 February 2026

The Jharkhand High Court directed police to register an FIR over the HIV infections of five children receiving thalassaemia treatment at Chaibasa Sadar Hospital. In a later Assembly discussion on 27 February, the Health Minister said compensation had been provided and the government would meet the families’ expenses; the inquiry was ongoing and its report was awaited.

Key Facts

• Transfusion-dependent thalassaemia requires regular blood transfusions, typically every two to five weeks.

Cabinet approves revised pension scheme for medal-winning athletes

5 February 2026

Jharkhand’s Cabinet approved a restructured pension scheme for athletes who have won medals at major national ...