Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Odisha Youth Congress Torch Rally Over Exam Leaks, Textbook Errors
The Odisha Youth Congress, a group of young people from a political party called Congress, held a nighttime rally with torches in the city of Bhubaneswar.
They were upset with the BJP government in their state.
They said that exam question papers were leaked before important tests, which is not fair to students who study hard.
They also said that school textbooks have more than 3,000 mistakes in them.
Congress leaders like Manas Choudhury said the education minister is not doing his job.
They want the government to be responsible for these problems.
At the same time, students in another state, Jharkhand, are also protesting about their own exams.
They think their tests were not conducted fairly and want them cancelled.
They also want a fair investigation by a special agency called the CBI.
Both groups of students just want their exams to be fair and honest.
The Odisha Youth Congress held a torch (mashal) rally in Bhubaneswar against the BJP state government over alleged exam paper leaks and errors in school textbooks.
Senior Congress leader Manas Choudhury alleged that school question papers have been leaked and that textbooks contain over 3,000 errors, adding that 'the full movie is yet to come.'
Odisha Congress president Bhakta Charan Das said students and youth across the nation have been awakened following Rahul Gandhi's call at the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event in Prayagraj.
The rally comes amid student protests in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in JPSC-JSSC recruitment examinations, which began after results of the JPSC 14th Preliminary Examination were announced on July 5.
BJP general secretary Amar Kumar Bauri countered that 13 examinations in seven years under the Jharkhand government, all but one, have come under scrutiny, citing paper leaks, solver gangs and rigged arrangements.
- Who
- Odisha Youth Congress, Congress leaders Bhakta Charan Das and Manas Choudhury, the BJP-led state government, and student aspirants in Jharkhand
- What
- A torch rally and ongoing student protests over alleged exam paper leaks, textbook errors and irregularities in recruitment examinations
- When
- The Jharkhand protests have been ongoing for 16 days since the JPSC 14th Preliminary Examination results were announced on July 5; the rally date is not specified
- Where
- Bhubaneswar, Odisha, with related protests in Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Why
- To demand accountability over alleged exam leaks, textbook errors and irregularities in recruitment examinations that have affected students
Congress and Student Protesters
BJP
Exam irregularities accountability
Congress and Student Protesters
Congress leaders allege the state government has failed students, with leaked school question papers, over 3,000 textbook errors and no accountability from the education minister.
BJP
BJP's Amar Kumar Bauri blames the Jharkhand government for the JPSC-JSSC exams, alleging 13 examinations in seven years, all but one, were plagued by paper leaks, solver gangs, rigged arrangements and candidates sharing the same serial number.
Handling of student protests
Congress and Student Protesters
Students demand cancellation of allegedly tainted examinations, a CBI probe, transparency in evaluation, disclosure of cut-offs and answer sheets, strict action against those responsible, and a recruitment calendar on the lines of UPSC and SSC.
BJP
Bauri alleges the government suppressed student voices and tried to derail the movement by dividing protesters into factions through NSUI and Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha, raising slogans about 'outsiders' and getting tribal organisations to echo that narrative.
- Event
- Torch (mashal) rally by Odisha Youth Congress
- Location
- Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Target
- BJP-led state government
- Main allegations
- Leaked school question papers; over 3,000 errors in textbooks
- Key speakers
- Bhakta Charan Das, Manas Choudhury, Uday Bhanu, Ranjit Patra
- Jharkhand context
- JPSC 14th Preliminary Examination results announced July 5; protests ongoing for 16 days
- Student demands
- Cancellation of allegedly tainted exams, CBI probe, transparency in evaluation, disclosure of cut-offs and answer sheets, recruitment calendar on the lines of UPSC and SSC
- BJP counter-allegation
- 13 exams in seven years, all but one under scrutiny (paper leaks, solver gangs, rigged arrangements)