Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Jharkhand youth protests prompt exam cancellations amid India's job crisis
Many young people in India who finished their education cannot find jobs.
In the state of Jharkhand, competitions were held to hire people for government jobs.
Many young people believe these exams were not fair.
They protested at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and across Jharkhand, asking the CBI to investigate.
The state government, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, listened to them.
It agreed to cancel the 2026 exam and some other tests.
The leaders in charge of the exam board stepped down, and police made some arrests.
However, the results of one 2024 exam will stay because about 1,800 people already started working.
Political parties are arguing over the protests, and the government has warned against turning them political.
The protests show how hard it is for educated young people to find jobs in India.
Job aspirants in Jharkhand and at Delhi's Jantar Mantar are demanding a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in multiple state government recruitment examinations.
The Jharkhand government has agreed to cancel the 2026 JPSC exam and the tests to clear backlog vacancies for 2023 and 2025.
Protesters are also pressing for the cancellation of the 14th Combined Civil Services exam, held in April, and the Jharkhand State Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level 2024 exam.
The chairman and members of the JPSC have stepped down, and the Criminal Investigation Department has made arrests after conducting its investigation.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren reached out to protesters early and warned against politicisation, while the BJP has used the protests to target the Congress-led opposition.
- Who
- Educated job aspirants and their parents, the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government, the Narendra Modi-led central government, and political parties including the BJP and the Congress.
- What
- Ongoing protests demanding a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in state government recruitment exams and the cancellation of several exams, including the 14th Combined Civil Services exam held in April.
- When
- The protests are ongoing; the 14th Combined Civil Services exam was conducted in April this year, and the state government has agreed to cancel the upcoming 2026 JPSC exam.
- Where
- Jantar Mantar in Delhi and across Jharkhand, India.
- Why
- The desperation of India's educated youth, who face too few job opportunities, and alleged irregularities in the recruitment exams.
Protesters & Opposition Parties
Jharkhand Government
Scope of exam cancellations
Protesters & Opposition Parties
Protesters want a CBI probe and the cancellation of the 14th Combined Civil Services exam, the JSSC Combined Graduate Level 2024, and backlog vacancy exams, in addition to the 2026 JPSC exam.
Jharkhand Government
The Soren government agreed to cancel the 2026 JPSC exam and backlog tests, but says cancelling the 2024 CGL is impractical because around 1,800 successful candidates are already appointed and in service.
Politicisation of the protests
Protesters & Opposition Parties
The BJP has sought to use the protests to get back at the Congress-led opposition, demanding it withdraw support from the government.
Jharkhand Government
Chief Minister Hemant Soren has warned against the politicisation of the agitation even as his government reached out to protesters early and did not demonise them.
- Location
- Jantar Mantar in Delhi and Jharkhand, India
- Key demands
- CBI probe into alleged irregularities in state recruitment exams; cancellation of the 14th Combined Civil Services, 2024 CGL, and backlog vacancy exams
- Exams to be cancelled
- 2026 JPSC exam and tests to clear backlog vacancies for 2023 and 2025
- Exam conducted in April
- 14th Combined Civil Services exam by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission
- JPSC leadership
- Chairman and members stepped down; CID investigation made arrests
- 2024 CGL exam status
- Around 1,800 successful candidates already appointed and in service; cancellation called impractical
- Jharkhand Chief Minister
- Hemant Soren (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, in alliance with Congress)