Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Jharkhand Government Calls Student Demands Genuine Amid Exam Leak Protests
Many young people in the Indian state of Jharkhand want government jobs.
They took tests to get those jobs, but they believe the tests were not fair because they say papers were leaked.
So they are protesting in the city of Ranchi with sit-ins, torch marches and hunger strikes.
The students have been protesting since July 5, and some are now on their 15th day of peaceful protest.
Their leaders went to talk to the state government about their problems.
The government said the students' demands are fair and promised to tell the Chief Minister about them.
It also opened an email address where anyone can send ideas for making future exams fairer.
The students want the unfair exams cancelled and want special detectives from the central government to investigate.
The Chief Minister said the government stands with the youth and is waiting for the police report.
Everyone hopes the talks will lead to a fair solution for the students.
A five-member government panel including three ministers held back-to-back talks in Ranchi, and minister Sanjay Prasad Yadav called the aspirants' demands 'genuine', promising to take them up with Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
The government released the email ID [email protected] to collect suggestions from students and stakeholders for a recruitment reform policy.
The eight-member JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch delegation demanded cancellation of the 14th JPSC Preliminary Test and JSSC CGL exams after 2019, independent CBI and ED probes, and disclosure of category-wise cut-offs, OMR sheets and answer keys.
Students remained on the 15th day of their indefinite satyagraha at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, while JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto's hunger strike entered its seventh day.
The BJP raised the issue during the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly's Monsoon Session, AISA president Neha Bora announced a Vidhan Sabha march that the Reform Manch said is separate from its platform, and a CID probe has resulted in several arrests.
- Who
- Job aspirants led by the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch and JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto; ministers Sanjay Prasad Yadav and Sudivya Kumar Sonu of the government's five-member panel; and Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
- What
- The government held fresh talks with student delegations, called the aspirants' demands 'genuine', and released a feedback email for recruitment reform, while students demanded cancellation of the 14th JPSC Preliminary Test and JSSC exams after 2019, plus CBI and ED probes into alleged paper leaks and irregularities.
- When
- Over the weekend in Ranchi during the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly's Monsoon Session; protests have continued since July 5, with students on the 15th day of satyagraha and Mahto's hunger strike on its seventh day.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand — talks at the State Guest House and protests at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.
- Why
- Aspirants allege paper leaks, irregularities and lack of transparency in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations.
Protesters, opposition parties and student wings
Jharkhand government and Reform Manch leadership
Central agency probe vs state investigation
Protesters, opposition parties and student wings
Students and the BJP demand independent CBI and ED probes, arguing that state-level CID investigations cannot uncover the broader paper-leak networks.
Jharkhand government and Reform Manch leadership
The government says the CID has been working day and night on the case and is waiting for its report and findings before acting.
Exam cancellation vs legal evaluation
Protesters, opposition parties and student wings
Aspirants insist on immediate cancellation of the 14th JPSC Preliminary Test and JSSC exams after 2019, plus termination of agencies under scrutiny such as TDPL.
Jharkhand government and Reform Manch leadership
The government, while calling the demands genuine, has not agreed to cancellation, saying it will act within the framework of the Constitution and the law.
Political support vs distancing from politics
Protesters, opposition parties and student wings
AISA president Neha Bora joined the protesters and announced a Vidhan Sabha march, and the BJP raised the issue in the assembly to pressure the government.
Jharkhand government and Reform Manch leadership
The JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch said AISA's march has 'nothing to do with' its platform, keeping its focus on institutional reform rather than political alignment.
- State
- Jharkhand, India
- Protest venue
- Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, Ranchi
- Government panel
- Five members, including three ministers
- Student delegation
- Eight members of the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch
- Key demands
- Cancellation of the 14th JPSC Preliminary Test and JSSC CGL/JE/PGT exams after 2019; CBI and ED probes; disclosure of category-wise cut-offs, OMR sheets and answer keys; UPSC/SSC-style recruitment calendar
- Other student wings' demands
- JMM's students' wing JCM sought cancellation of the 14th JPSC exam; Congress-backed NSUI sought a CID probe within 90 days and a Jharkhand Testing Agency
- Feedback email
- [email protected]
- Investigation
- CID probe underway with several arrests; CM Hemant Soren awaits findings
Sources
Jharkhand protest: Students' demands ‘genuine’, says minister after back-to-back meetings, govt releases email ID
Jharkhand Govt Holds Fresh Round of Talks with JPSC-JSSC Aspirants' Delegation
