Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Jharkhand Govt Announces Sixth Round of Talks with Protesting Students
Many young people in an Indian state called Jharkhand are upset about their government job exams.
They think something went wrong with the exams that decide who gets important government jobs.
So they are protesting at a stadium in Ranchi and asking the state government to fix the problem.
The students want an independent group to investigate the exams so nobody can unfairly control the results.
The government has been meeting with student leaders to talk about their worries, but the two sides still cannot agree.
This Sunday, they will meet for a sixth round of talks.
One protest leader has not eaten for seven days to show how serious he is.
Nineteen people have been arrested in connection with the suspected exam problems.
A student group says the government is trying to divide the students by meeting different groups separately.
Everyone hopes the talks will lead to a fair solution.
The Jharkhand government will hold a sixth round of talks with student representatives at around 12 pm on Sunday after five rounds failed to break the deadlock.
The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch accused the government of 'political manoeuvring' and trying to divide students by holding separate meetings with different student groups.
Protesters are demanding an independent probe into alleged exam irregularities by the CBI or a panel of retired High Court judges from outside the state.
The protest entered its 15th day on Saturday, with students camping at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi since July 25.
Nineteen people have been arrested over alleged JPSC exam irregularities, and former chairperson L Khiangte has been questioned four times since July 28.
- Who
- Protesting students and groups including the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, NSUI, JCM, ACS and AISA, facing Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his panel of ministers Dipika Pandey Singh, Sanjay Prasad Yadav, Chamra Linda and Sudivya Kumar.
- What
- A sixth round of talks to resolve the agitation over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations.
- When
- Sunday at around 12 pm; the protest entered its 15th day on Saturday, August 8, and Devendra Nath Mahto's hunger strike entered day seven.
- Where
- Jharkhand, India, with students protesting at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi since July 25.
- Why
- Students are demanding an independent probe by the CBI or retired High Court judges from outside the state and comprehensive reforms in the JPSC and JSSC.
Protesting students (JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch)
Jharkhand government
Divide-and-rule tactics
Protesting students (JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch)
The Reforms Manch says the government is 'politically manoeuvring' by meeting student groups separately, trying to create divisions among students and divert attention from their core demands.
Jharkhand government
The government says the discussions were held in a positive atmosphere, it is considering the concerns raised by aspirants, and it apprised the chief minister of all student views before deciding on a final round of talks.
Resolution of the deadlock
Protesting students (JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch)
Protesters say their agitation will continue until all demands are met, including an independent probe by the CBI or a panel of retired High Court judges from outside the state.
Jharkhand government
After five rounds of talks failed to break the deadlock, the government announced a final round on Sunday before reaching a decision and invited suggestions from aspirants via email on recruitment reforms.
- Next round of talks
- Sixth round scheduled for Sunday at around 12 pm
- Previous rounds
- Five rounds held since Friday night; deadlock not broken
- Chief Minister
- Hemant Soren
- Student demands
- Independent probe (CBI or retired High Court judges) and comprehensive JPSC-JSSC reforms
- Arrests
- 19 people arrested over alleged JPSC exam irregularities
- Former JPSC chairperson
- L Khiangte questioned four times since July 28
- Hunger strike
- Devendra Nath Mahto's fast on day seven
- Protest site
- Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, Ranchi, since July 25
Sources
Jharkhand protest: Students accuse government of divide-and-rule tactics; sixth round of talks set
Jharkhand Govt Announces Fresh Talks With JPSC-JSSC Protesters As Deadlock Continues
Jharkhand Government To Hold Fresh Talks With Students Over Exam 'Irregularities'
