Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Jharkhand students hold Vidhan Sabha Gherao march demanding CBI probe
In the Indian state of Jharkhand, many students took exams to get government jobs.
They believe the exams were not conducted fairly.
They want a special investigating team called the CBI to look into what went wrong.
The state government cancelled one exam and promised its own investigations, but it refused to call the CBI.
Because of this, the students decided to march to the state assembly building to show how upset they are.
Police said they would keep the march peaceful and safe.
They explained that a weapon seen in a video was only a paintball gun that shoots colored paint, not a dangerous weapon.
A leader from the opposition party criticized the government for putting up barbed wire barriers.
The chief minister promised that students would get justice and wrongdoers would be punished.
The students said they will keep protesting until all their demands are met.
Student protesters in Ranchi, Jharkhand, plan to hold their 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march on Monday, August 10, demanding a CBI inquiry into alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations.
The state government cancelled the 14th JPSC examination and ordered CID and ED probes, but students insist only a CBI investigation will satisfy them.
Three members of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) resigned on Sunday amid the controversy.
Ranchi police said comprehensive security measures are in place and clarified that a weapon in a viral video was a paintball gun, not a pellet gun, which is strictly for emergencies.
Students rejected the government's offer of a retired judge-headed committee for the CGL exam and vowed to continue the movement until all their demands, including CBI inquiry, are met.
BJP leader Champai Soren criticized the government for placing barbed wire on barricades, calling the scene 'dictatorship', while Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren promised justice to the youth.
- Who
- Student protesters and aspirants in Jharkhand, represented by leaders Kunal, Ravindra Paswan, and Sanjay Mehta, along with the Jharkhand government led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren and the Ranchi police.
- What
- Students are holding a 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march in Ranchi to demand a CBI inquiry into alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations.
- When
- The march is planned for Monday, August 10; the protest began after results of the 14th JPSC examination were announced on July 5.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand, India, outside the Vidhan Sabha (state assembly).
- Why
- Students allege irregularities in recruitment exams and say the government's alternative proposals, such as a retired judge-led inquiry, do not meet their demand for a CBI probe.
Student protesters
Jharkhand government and police
Investigation of exam irregularities
Student protesters
Students demand a CBI inquiry and cancellation of the CGL exam, and reject the government's alternative of a retired High Court judge-headed committee.
Jharkhand government and police
Government says a CBI probe is not possible due to the examination's judicial oversight, offering CID and ED investigations and a committee monitored by a retired judge.
Assessment of government response
Student protesters
Students say the government did not concede to 100% of their demands and that the movement will continue until all demands are met.
Jharkhand government and police
Government says it showed great magnanimity, took swift action including raids and detentions, secured JPSC resignations, and cancelled suspect examinations.
Security preparations for the march
Student protesters
BJP leader Champai Soren calls the barbed wire atop barricades undemocratic 'dictatorship' and warns of injuries to students.
Jharkhand government and police
Police say comprehensive security ensures safety, emphasize peaceful protest, and clarify that pellet guns are strictly for emergencies while the viral video showed a paintball gun.
- Event
- 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' student protest march
- Location
- Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
- Date of march
- Monday, August 10
- Core demand
- CBI inquiry into JPSC and JSSC examination irregularities
- Government actions
- Cancelled 14th JPSC exam; ordered CID and ED probes; agreed to examine TDPL-administered exams
- Resignations
- Three JPSC members resigned on Sunday
- Protest origin
- 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination results announced on July 5
- Security
- Adequate forces deployed; pellet guns strictly for emergencies; viral weapon identified as paintball gun