Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Jharkhand students protest alleged exam irregularities on 13th day
Many students in the Indian state of Jharkhand are upset about the exams that decide who gets government jobs.
They believe the exams are not fair because question papers and answer sheets can be leaked, and people sometimes pay bribes to get jobs.
One student said jobs are being 'sold like vegetables' instead of being given to the best and most honest candidates.
So the students have gathered at a big stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand's main city, to protest.
The protest has lasted 13 days, and even heavy rain at night did not make the students leave.
Some protesters are on a hunger strike, which means they are not eating, to show how serious they are.
One of the hunger strikers, a leader named Devendra Mahto, became weak, and activist Sonam Wangchuk called him and asked him to drink water.
The students want the unfair exam cancelled and a new one held, and they want leaders to investigate what went wrong.
They also want the government to make future exams honest and open for everyone, especially poor students who really need these jobs.
The government agreed to meet a group of students on Thursday, and everyone hopes the meeting will solve the problem.
Students and job aspirants intensified their protest at Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium on the 13th day against alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment exams.
Protesters demand cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand PSC Civil Services Examination and an independent probe by the CBI or a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state.
Six demonstrators are on hunger strike, including JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, whose blood sugar and pressure levels reportedly dropped significantly.
Protesters allege paper leaks, OMR sheet manipulation and money-for-jobs networks, claiming a JSSC CGL seat was sold for Rs 25 lakh.
An 11-member student delegation was granted an appointment for talks with Jharkhand government representatives on Thursday.
- Who
- Student job aspirants and protesters led by JPSC aspirants, hunger strikers including Sabita Kumari and Rahul Kranti, and JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto; the other party is the Jharkhand government led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
- What
- A protest against alleged irregularities, corruption, bribery and paper leaks in JPSC and JSSC recruitment exams, demanding cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination, an independent probe and comprehensive reforms.
- When
- Thursday, August 6, the 13th day of a protest that began on July 25.
- Where
- Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand, with slogans also raised by opposition MLAs at the state assembly during the Monsoon Session.
- Why
- Protesters say corruption has destroyed trust in the recruitment system, and government jobs are one of the few options for economically weaker sections, so they want the Jharkhand government to take meaningful action.
- Protest Day
- 13th day (Thursday, August 6)
- Location
- Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Protest Began
- July 25, under the banner of JPSC-JSSC Reforms
- Key Demands
- Cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination; independent probe by CBI or a panel of retired High Court judges
- Hunger Strikers
- Six demonstrators, including JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto
- Alleged Corruption
- Paper leaks, OMR sheet manipulation, money-for-jobs networks; CGL seat allegedly sold for Rs 25 lakh
- Government Talks
- 11-member student delegation granted appointment with Jharkhand government on Thursday
- CM Hemant Soren's Stance
- Called question paper leaks a national problem and offered talks to resolve the impasse
