3 weeks ago
Jharkhand Talks Fail as Students Vow to Continue JPSC-JSSC Protests
In the Indian state of Jharkhand, many students are upset because they believe some government job exams were not fair.
They have been protesting in Ranchi for 15 days.
The students say the exams had problems and want them cancelled.
They also want an honest investigation by a police agency called the CBI and more transparency in how exams are run.
One student leader, Devendra Nath Mahto, stopped eating and got sick, so doctors advised him to go to the hospital.
Government leaders met with the students to talk, but they did not agree to cancel the exams.
The government opened an email address where students can send ideas for improving the exam system.
Some student groups tried to march to the Chief Minister's house, but police barricades stopped them and a few people were detained.
New talks are planned, but students say they will march to the Assembly on August 10 if their demands are not met.
A court also asked a government official to explain why a teacher's exam has not been held for almost nine years.
Talks between the Jharkhand government panel and student groups failed to break the deadlock on Saturday, as the agitation entered its 15th day.
Protesters demand scrapping of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination held on July 2 and cancellation of JSSC CGL, JE and PGT exams held after 2019.
The government opened the feedback email [email protected], saying a recruitment reform policy would be framed after collecting suggestions from students and stakeholders.
ABVP members clashed with police near Chief Minister Hemant Soren's residence, and around eight to ten protesters were detained.
The Jharkhand High Court issued a show-cause notice to School Education Secretary Umashankar Singh over the Teachers Eligibility Test not being held for nearly nine years.
- Who
- Protesting students and groups including the JPSC-JSSC Aspirant Nyay Manch and Candidates' Forum led by Devendra Nath Mahto, NSUI, ABVP, Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha and Akhil Chhatra Sangh; the Jharkhand government panel with ministers Dipika Pandey Singh, Sudivya Kumar, Sanjay Prasad Yadav and Chamra Linda; and opposition leader Babulal Marandi.
- What
- A second day of talks between the Jharkhand government and student groups over alleged JPSC-JSSC examination irregularities failed to end the deadlock, while protests, police clashes and new showdowns were announced.
- Where
- State Guest House, Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium and near the Chief Minister's residence in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
- When
- Saturday, August 8, 2026, the 15th day of the agitation; fresh talks were scheduled for Sunday noon.
- Why
- Students allege irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations, including the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination held on July 2, and demand cancellation of exams, independent investigations and greater transparency.
Protesters' View
Government's View
Scrapping of examinations
Protesters' View
Protesters demand immediate scrapping of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination and cancellation of JSSC CGL, JE and PGT exams held after 2019, insisting that dialogue alone will not end the agitation unless their demands are met.
Government's View
The government has not agreed to cancel the exams; it called the aspirants' demands 'genuine' and said a reform policy would be framed after collecting suggestions from students and stakeholders.
Investigation and transparency
Protesters' View
Students want a CBI investigation or a probe by retired high court judges from outside Jharkhand, disclosure of category-wise cut-offs, OMR copies and response sheets, and a recruitment calendar on UPSC/SSC lines; NSUI also sought a CID/SIT probe within 90 days and creation of a Jharkhand Testing Agency on the lines of the National Testing Agency.
Government's View
The government released the email [email protected] for suggestions and said discrepancies highlighted by students would be examined and resolved, but has not committed to a CBI investigation.
Handling of talks and protests
Protesters' View
ABVP accused the government of suppressing the movement and detaining peaceful protesters, while the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch objected to separate talks with different groups as an attempt to divide students; opposition leader Babulal Marandi warned the government not to divert attention from the exam irregularities under the guise of talks.
Government's View
Police deployed heavy security and barricades after ABVP members tried to march to the Chief Minister's residence, detaining around eight to ten people, while the state says it is continuing positive discussions with all student groups to resolve the deadlock.
Key facts
- Protest Location
- Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Protest Duration
- 15 days as of August 8, 2026
- Key Demand
- Scrapping of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination held on July 2
- Additional Demands
- Cancellation of JSSC CGL, JE and PGT exams after 2019; CBI investigation; disclosure of cut-offs, OMR copies and response sheets; recruitment calendar on UPSC/SSC lines
- Feedback Email
- [email protected]
- Hunger Strike
- Devendra Nath Mahto fasting for about a week; doctors advised hospitalisation after he developed a chest infection and falling blood pressure and blood sugar
- JPSC Irregularity Probe
- 19 people arrested so far; former JPSC chairman L Khiangte questioned four times since July 28
- TET Delay
- Teachers Eligibility Test not held for nearly nine years; High Court show-cause notice to Secretary Umashankar Singh
Quotes
State minister Sanjay Prasad Yadav
Jharkhand state minister for higher and technical education
“"We will continue to meet with various student groups and stakeholders. Additionally, we are releasing an email ID: [email protected]. Any student, individual, or stakeholder can send suggestions to this address, and we intend to formulate a reform policy and reach a collective decision based on everyone's input. The government will take their concerns into account based on the emails received."”
thestatesman.com
NDTV
“"Jharkhand’s ‘mahagathbandhan’ government wants to suppress the students’ movement. Our colleagues have been arrested. This government is busy arresting nationalist students engaged in peaceful protests, deploying the police against them, and selling off jobs."”
thestatesman.com
Sources
Talks on one side, barricades on the other: Jharkhand tries to contain JPSC-JSSC exam row as protests grow in Ranchi
Jharkhand students' protest: Talks fail to break deadlock, ABVP clashes with police near CM's residence
After 2nd Round Of Talks With Protesters, Jharkhand Opens Email For Feedback
Jharkhand JPSC Row: Fresh Talks Today As Agitation Intensifies, Students Set August 10 Assembly March
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