Hundreds of students assembled in Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi on Monday alleging irregularities in the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) exam, the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) exam and other recruitment examinations. Notably, Monday marked the sixth consecutive day of the student protests, where students demanded an independent probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and sweeping reforms in the state’s recruitment agencies.
A still from the JPSC protest
The students have declared an indefinite sit-in at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium since July 29, 2026, which has gathered steam as aspirants from across Jharkhand voiced concerns over the integrity of government recruitment exams. Protestors have repeatedly hailed slogans demanding a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities, claiming that state-level investigations have failed to inspire confidence.
Student leader begins hunger strike
On Sunday, a striking development emerged during the agitation when student leader Devendra Singh Mahto launched an indefinite hunger strike at the protest venue. He demanded that both the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conduct a comprehensive probe into the alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC examination, the JSSC-CGL examination and other recruitment tests conducted across the state.
In a statement on social media, Mahto said the movement would continue despite personal hardship.
His statement read, “A body breaking from fatigue and now a hunger strike, but in this fight for students' rights and justice, our resolve remains unshaken. The body may tire, but our resolve for justice will not."
Aspirants express distrust in ongoing CID probe
As per a report by news agency PTI, several aspirants said they are dissatisfied with the ongoing probe headed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) ordered by Jharkhand Chief Minister (CM) Hemant Soren.
JPSC aspirant Rahul Kumar Kranti alleged that question paper leaks had unfolded on multiple occasions, adding that the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets of candidates had also been leaked in the latest examination.
Kranti told PRI, “Paper leaks in JPSC have happened several times. This time, OMR sheets of candidates have been leaked. CM Soren has ordered a CID probe, but we are not satisfied.”
He then claimed that previous investigations into the alleged JSSC-CGL paper leak had failed to translate into meaningful action and feared that the current inquiry too may meet the same fate.
He further said, “We have completely lost faith in the ongoing CID probe. We demand a CBI probe into all recruitment examinations conducted by the JPSC and JSSC over the past seven years," he said.”
Demonstrators seek exam cancellation
Apart from demands for a CBI and an ED probe, the demonstrators have demanded that the 14th JPSC preliminary exam held on April 19, 2026 be cancelled. Another of their key demands includes the introduction of a fifth ‘Not Attempted’ option in OMR answer sheets, which students believe would improve transparency and reduce discrepancies during the evaluation process.
Another shot from the protest site in Ranchi
Amid the protests, the movement has received support from people across the country. Well-wishers have sent food and other essentials to the protest site by means of online delivery platforms.
On Saturday evening, thousands of students also participated in a torchlight march in Ranchi, reiterating their demand for a fair probe into the alleged recruitment exam irregularities.