Jharkhand Politics & Governance

Jharkhand announces IAS and IPS transfers and promotions

1 January 2026

Jharkhand issued a notification assigning new postings and promotions to IAS and IPS officers. Amitabh Kaushal was posted as Principal Secretary of the Excise and Prohibition Department, while Chhavi Ranjan was assigned as Mission Director of the National Health Mission . Manoj Kaushik was promoted to Additional Director General and posted to the Criminal Investigation Department.

Kaushal Kishore was posted as Palamu DIG. Promotions take effect from 1 January 2026 or the date the officer joins the promoted post, whichever is later.

Key Facts

• The National Health Mission aims to expand equitable, affordable, quality healthcare access across rural and urban areas.

Daily MEMU service begins between Sahibganj and Bardhaman

1 January 2026

Daily regular MEMU passenger service began between Sahibganj and Bardhaman on 1 January, providing a new rail connection for passengers in the Santhal Pargana region. Train 63064 runs from Sahibganj via Tin Pahar towards Bardhaman, with a corresponding return service numbered 63063.

The service offers a lower-fare travel option for passengers, including students, workers and traders.

Jharkhand notifies PESA rules for Scheduled Areas

2 January 2026

Jharkhand’s Panchayati Raj Department notified rules for implementing the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) in Scheduled Areas. The rules require at least one Gram Sabha meeting each month and a quorum of one-third of members, including women forming one-third of those present.

They provide for traditional community-recognised leaders to chair Gram Sabhas and set out procedures for identifying traditional village boundaries and referring proposals about rules considered inconsistent with local customs to the Deputy Commissioner.

Key Facts

• PESA extends self-governance to Scheduled Areas, empowering Gram Sabhas over customary resources, minor produce, beneficiary selection and local institutions.

Jharkhand distributes 4G point-of-sale machines to PDS dealers

2 January 2026

Food and Supplies Minister Irfan Ansari distributed 4G point-of-sale machines to 639 Public Distribution System dealers in Jamtara. The upgraded devices were intended to address network and distribution difficulties associated with older 2G machines.

Ansari said the state planned to provide machines to 25,428 PDS dealers statewide; that wider rollout was a stated plan, not a completed distribution.

Key Facts

• The Public Distribution System supplies subsidised food and essential items to poorer households through fair-price shops.

NHAI proposes revised NH-20 route between Koderma and the Bihar border

2 January 2026

The National Highways Authority of India proposed a revised route for four-laning National Highway 20 between Koderma and the Bihar border, after the earlier alignment through the Koderma Valley wildlife sanctuary was set aside. The proposed route is about 27 kilometres long and includes two railway overbridges and three tunnels.

The proposed alignment is intended to reduce impacts on wildlife habitat and residential areas. Preparation of the final detailed project report depends on agreement with the railway and forest departments.

Key Facts

• NHAI’s statutory role is to develop, maintain and manage national highways entrusted to it by the Union government.

JSSC revises schedule for 1,733 jail warder posts

3 January 2026

The Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission revised the application schedule for recruitment to 1,733 jail warder posts. Online applications were scheduled to open on 9 January and close on 8 February 2026; applicants could correct their forms from 11 to 13 February, except for their name, date of birth, email address or mobile number.

The notice set Class 10 as the minimum educational qualification. The reported selection process includes physical measurement and efficiency tests, a written examination and a medical examination.

Key Facts

• The Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission conducts examinations and selects candidates for Jharkhand government posts.

Jharkhand Police offers online complaints for lost or stolen phones

4 January 2026

Jharkhand Police provides an online facility for reporting lost or stolen mobile phones through its citizen portal. Applicants must provide details including the phone and IMEI numbers, incident location and police-station area, along with contact information and an identity document.

After submission, the complaint is forwarded to the relevant police station and district police, which may contact the complainant if needed. The portal also allows applicants to request mobile blocking.

Key Facts

• An IMEI identifies a mobile device; network operators can block a reported ...