Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Three Jharkhand PSC members resign amid exam leak protests
In the Indian state of Jharkhand, many young people took exams to try to get government jobs.
Some people believed the exams were not fair, so they came out to protest.
The three people in charge of the exams all quit their jobs because of the complaints.
The leader of the state, Hemant Soren, promised to look into the problem and make things fair.
One protester, Devendra Nath Mahto, stopped eating for eight days to show how serious he was.
His body became weak, and his blood sugar got very low.
Important leaders went to see him and promised that talks were happening to solve the problem.
The state leader said that talking calmly is better than using force like batons.
He also warned that some people might be trying to cause trouble on purpose.
Everyone hopes the problem will be solved in a fair way for the young people.
All three members of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) resigned on Sunday amid protests over alleged recruitment test irregularities.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren pledged to deliver justice with transparency and said dialogue, not batons, can solve problems.
Protester Devendra Nath Mahto has been on an indefinite hunger strike for eight days, with low blood glucose and deteriorating health.
Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar assured Mahto that talks were underway and the issue would be resolved during the day.
Soren alleged vested interests were working to disrupt democracy in Jharkhand and warned against politicising the students' stir.
- Who
- Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, all three members of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission, and hunger-striking protester Devendra Nath Mahto.
- What
- All three JPSC members resigned while students protested alleged irregularities in recruitment exams; the Chief Minister pledged transparent justice.
- When
- Sunday; Devendra Nath Mahto's indefinite hunger strike had lasted eight days.
- Where
- Jharkhand, including Ranchi; the article also references the NEET protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
- Why
- Alleged irregularities in recruitment tests conducted by the JPSC prompted the protests, with Soren also citing vested interests trying to disrupt democracy.
Protesters' perspective
Government's perspective
Exam irregularities
Protesters' perspective
Protesters allege irregularities in recruitment tests conducted by the JPSC and demand accountability.
Government's perspective
The government says those involved in exam irregularities will face strict action and promises justice with transparency.
Cause of the unrest
Protesters' perspective
Students consider their grievances about unfair exams genuine, with at least one protester willing to risk his health in an indefinite hunger strike.
Government's perspective
Soren says vested interests are working at full force to disrupt democracy and that the stir should not be politicised.
Handling of protests
Protesters' perspective
Soren noted that youths at the NEET protest in Delhi faced pellet guns, baton charges and were declared traitors, criticising such treatment.
Government's perspective
Soren insists that dialogue, not batons, can solve all problems, signalling a preferance for peaceful talks over force.
- State
- Jharkhand, India
- Chief Minister
- Hemant Soren
- Resigning body
- Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC)
- Number of resignations
- 3 (all members)
- Protest issue
- Alleged irregularities in recruitment exams
- Hunger striker
- Devendra Nath Mahto (8 days on strike)
- Ministers involved
- Sudivya Kumar and Dipika Pandey Singh
- Related protest
- NEET paper leak protest at Jantar Mantar, Delhi