Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Jharkhand cancels JSSC-CGL exam; Devendra Mahto ends hunger strike
In Jharkhand, a state in India, many young people wanted government jobs.
To get those jobs, they had to pass a big test called the JSSC-CGL exam.
Many students believed the test was unfair because exam papers were leaked and answers were rigged.
So they protested in the city of Ranchi.
A student leader named Devendra Nath Mahto stopped eating to show how serious the problem was.
The Chief Minister, Hemant Soren, decided to cancel the exam and all similar tests run by a company called TDPL.
He also ordered police to investigate old exams going back to 2014.
A retired judge will look into what went wrong, and experts will help make a fairer system.
Some students were happy and celebrated, but others still wanted a CBI investigation.
A few people who had already passed the exam protested because they were worried about losing their jobs.
Now the government wants to make sure future exams are honest and fair for everyone.
The Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government cancelled the JSSC-CGL examination and all recruitment processes, results, and selections conducted through outsourced agency TSR Data Processing Pvt Ltd (TDPL).
Student activist Devendra Nath Mahto ended his hunger strike after the government conceded key demands, describing the decision as a 'huge victory for Jharkhand'.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren ordered the CID and a Special Investigation Team to probe every TDPL-led examination dating back to 2014.
The decision followed weeks of protests by job aspirants in Ranchi over alleged paper leaks, rigging, and corruption, with some reports citing a 24-day protest and others noting the agitation began July 25.
Articles differ on Mahto's fast length (16 days vs. beginning August 2 or July 2), and some protesters including Rahul Kranti continued demanding a CBI probe; a counter-protest by successful candidates claimed the cancellation would render around 2,000 people jobless.
- Who
- Student activist Devendra Nath Mahto (of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha), Chief Minister Hemant Soren, job aspirants in Ranchi, fellow protesters including Umme Habiba and Rahul Kranti, and former Chief Minister Champai Soren.
- What
- The Jharkhand government cancelled the JSSC-CGL exam and all TDPL-conducted recruitment processes, results, and selections, and ordered multiple investigations into exam irregularities.
- When
- Monday, August 17, 2026, after weeks of protests; reports differ on Mahto's hunger strike duration (16 days vs. beginning August 2 or July 2).
- Where
- Jharkhand state, India, with protests at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi.
- Why
- Allegations of systemic paper leaks, rigging, corruption, and widespread irregularities in state recruitment examinations.
Protesting students and supporters
Successful candidates and government critics
Cancellation of JSSC-CGL exam
Protesting students and supporters
Protesting students, backed by the BJP opposition, demanded cancellation of the exam and a CBI probe, alleging paper leaks, rigging, and corruption; the cancellation was celebrated as a victory.
Successful candidates and government critics
Successful candidates who had cleared the exam gathered outside the state secretariat appealing to Soren not to cancel it, claiming the move would render around 2,000 people jobless.
Scope of investigation
Protesting students and supporters
Protesters like Rahul Kranti maintained the agitation would continue until the government accepted the demand for a CBI probe into examination irregularities.
Successful candidates and government critics
The government ordered CID/SIT probes and a retired judge-led inquiry, with Hemant Soren citing 'surprising factors' in the probe and a 'huge exam racket' but declining to disclose details at that juncture.
- Cancelled exam
- JSSC-CGL (Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level)
- Recruitment vendor
- TSR Data Processing Pvt Ltd (TDPL)
- Protest location and duration
- Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, Ranchi; agitation since July 25 (per one report), with protest entering its 25th day on Tuesday
- Hunger strike
- Ended August 17 at Sadar Hospital; reports conflict on start date (August 2 or July 2) and length (16 days)
- Probe scope
- All TDPL-led examinations since 2014 (CID and SIT); separate probe by a retired judge
- Reform committee
- Headed by Amitabh Kaushal (described as IPS officer in one report, senior IAS officer/bureaucrat in another)
- Arrests
- 20 people, including former JPSC chairman L. Khiangte
- Ongoing demands
- Some protesters still demand a CBI probe; successful candidates counter-protested against cancellation, citing about 2,000 people at risk of losing jobs
Sources
Student Activist Devendra Mahto Announces End Of Hunger Strike As Hemant Soren Cancels JSSC-CGL Exam
Jharkhand protests: Student leader Devendra Mahto ends hunger strike as govt cancels JSSC-CGL exam
Devendra Mahto ends fast after Hemant Soren government cancels JSSC-CGL exam amid protests