3 weeks ago
Ranchi hunger strike: Job aspirants protest stalled recruitment, exam delays
In Ranchi, a city in India, a group of people are protesting because they want government jobs.
Government jobs are stable jobs that many people want.
The protesters took the required tests, and many of them passed.
But then the hiring process kept getting delayed for years.
A man named Rahul passed his test back in 2016, but he still has not been given a job.
A woman named Habiba is also waiting for her name to appear on a list that is three years late.
Another woman, Savita, is protesting for the very first time in her life.
To show how serious they are, the protesters are on a hunger strike, which means they are not eating food.
Some of them have been in court, and the court has sometimes agreed with them.
They hope the government will listen and give them the jobs they earned.
Job aspirants in Ranchi, Jharkhand, are on an indefinite hunger strike over stalled government recruitments, court battles and exam delays.
Rahul Kranti cleared a 2016 TGT exam but says he never received an appointment despite scoring 20 marks more than the last OBC-selected candidate.
In November 2025, the Jharkhand High Court ordered appointments within six months, but the state challenged the order and Kranti's contempt petition is pending.
Rupesh Kumar Pal alleges the 2024 JSSC CGL paper was leaked and that a CID team's evidence supporting the allegation was later rejected by the government.
Savita Kumari's first protest follows the Excise Constable recruitment, in which 11 candidates died during August 2024 physical tests and 159 people were detained in a raid.
- Who
- Government job aspirants in Jharkhand, including Rahul Kranti, Unne Habiba, Rupesh Kumar Pal and Savita Kumari, who are on hunger strike in Ranchi against the state's recruitment system.
- What
- An indefinite hunger strike protesting stalled government recruitments, exam delays, court cases and alleged paper leaks in Jharkhand's job selection process.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.
- When
- Early August 2026; the hunger strike was in its fifth day, and one protester, Unne Habiba, has been at the site since July 29.
- Why
- Candidates say repeated exam delays, court battles, corruption allegations and age-limit barriers have left qualified candidates waiting years without appointments.
Protesting job aspirants
Jharkhand government and recruitment commissions
JSSC CGL paper leak probe
Protesting job aspirants
Candidates allege the 2024 JSSC CGL paper was leaked, submitted material and evidence to the commission, and say the first CID investigation team found evidence supporting the allegation; they sought a CBI probe.
Jharkhand government and recruitment commissions
The commission initially denied the leak allegation; the government rejected the first investigation team's findings and constituted another team that reached different conclusions, and the High Court dismissed the demand to hand the case to the CBI.
Court-ordered appointments in the 2016 TGT case
Protesting job aspirants
Candidates said the High Court directed the government in November 2025 to appoint the remaining candidates within six months, and filed a contempt petition when appointments were still not made.
Jharkhand government and recruitment commissions
The state government challenged the court order before a division bench, and the contempt petition filed in June remains pending.
Integrity of the Excise Constable exam
Protesting job aspirants
Candidates say the recruitment dragged on for years, with 11 candidates dying during August 2024 physical tests and a raid hours before the written exam, adding to their grievances.
Jharkhand government and recruitment commissions
Police raided an under-construction building in Rargaon and detained 159 candidates, including alleged masterminds, before the written examination, indicating action against suspected malpractice.
Key facts
- State
- Jharkhand, India
- Protest location
- Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Hunger strike status
- Fifth day in early August 2026
- 2016 TGT case
- High Court ordered appointments within six months in November 2025; state challenged the order
- JPSC age relaxation
- Court ruled for 264 petitioners in February 2026, allowing them to appear in the 14th JPSC exam
- 2024 Assistant Acharya recruitment
- 26,001 vacancies advertised; around 11,500 appointment letters issued
- 2024 JSSC CGL recruitment
- Advertised 2016 with around 800 posts, grew to 2,000+; around 1,800 appointed; leak alleged
- Excise Constable exam (JECCE 2023)
- 11 candidates died in August 2024 physical tests; 159 detained in raid before written exam
Quotes
Savita Kumari
28‑year‑old Ranchi resident and hunger striker
“I scored 349 marks against a cut‑off of around 322, but the delay in completing the recruitment process turned age eligibility into a barrier.”
indianexpress.com
“I want to get a government job and fulfil the dream I had for my mother. I want to do something that would make her soul happy.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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