3 weeks ago
Jharkhand Students Form 11-Member Delegation for Government Talks
Many students in Jharkhand, a state in India, are very upset.
They took a big test to get government jobs, called the JPSC exam, and they think it was unfair.
They believe the question paper may have been leaked, so the test results cannot be trusted.
They have been protesting for 13 days at a big stadium in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand.
They are asking the government to cancel the exam so nobody gets an unfair advantage.
They also want a special police group called the CBI to check what really happened.
At first there was no progress, but now the Chief Minister has agreed to talk to the students.
The students chose 11 people to speak for them, but they want the meeting to happen in front of news cameras so it is honest and open.
Police have already arrested some people, including a man who worked for the company that ran the exam.
The students say they will keep protesting until the government fixes the exam system.
The protest at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi entered its 13th day on Thursday, with students forming an 11-member delegation — eight students, two journalists (one report says technical experts) and an advocate — for talks with the government.
The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch is demanding cancellation and re-conduct of the 14th JPSC Preliminary Exam, a CBI investigation (or a probe by a panel of retired high court judges), and comprehensive reforms to JPSC and JSSC.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren opened the door to dialogue on Wednesday, calling paper leaks a national problem, and the government formed a five-member committee to hold talks.
At least 19 arrests have been made (20 per one report), including TDPL accountant Rakshak Singh, who was arrested in Lucknow by the CID and brought to Ranchi.
Student leader Devendra Mahato remains on hunger strike (one report says six demonstrators), and protesters insist talks be held openly in the presence of journalists and cameras.
- Who
- Students and job aspirants under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, and the Jharkhand government led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
- What
- Protesters formed an 11-member delegation for talks with the government over alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC Preliminary Exam.
- Where
- Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, Ranchi, Jharkhand; opposition MLAs also raised slogans at the state assembly on Thursday.
- When
- The protest began on July 25 and was in its 13th day on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
- Why
- Students allege large-scale irregularities in the exam conducted by TDPL and demand its cancellation, a CBI investigation, and reforms to JPSC and JSSC.
Jharkhand government (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Congress alliance)
Protesters and opposition BJP
Who should investigate the exam irregularities
Jharkhand government (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Congress alliance)
The government says the CID and a Special Investigation Team are already investigating and arrests have been made; Minister Irfan Ansari said the government will accept the students' demands if they are reasonable.
Protesters and opposition BJP
Students and the BJP demand a CBI investigation; BJP chief whip Naveen Jaiswal said nobody trusts the CID and the committee, and the probe should be conducted by the CBI.
Government's sincerity on talks
Jharkhand government (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Congress alliance)
CM Hemant Soren called paper leaks a national problem and opened the door for dialogue, scheduling a meeting with a student delegation; Minister Sudivya Kumar thanked students for a positive response and said a fruitful discussion is possible.
Protesters and opposition BJP
Protesters refuse closed-door negotiations and insist talks be held before journalists and cameras, continuing the protest until demands are met; the BJP alleges the government is 'selling' the future of Jharkhand's youth.
Rahul Gandhi's response to the protest
Jharkhand government (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Congress alliance)
Congress leader and Jharkhand Minister Irfan Ansari said the government has opened the door for dialogue and will listen to and accept the students' reasonable demands.
Protesters and opposition BJP
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari called Rahul Gandhi's silence on the agitation 'criminal', saying the Congress is silent because it is their government in the state.
Key facts
- Protest duration
- 13 days; began on July 25
- Student delegation
- 11 members — 8 students, 2 journalists (one report says technical experts), 1 advocate (former advocate general Ajit Kumar per one report)
- Key demands
- Cancellation and re-conduct of the 14th JPSC Preliminary Exam; CBI probe or panel of retired high court judges; reforms to JPSC and JSSC
- Arrests
- 19 (one report says 20), including five additional arrests by the CID
- Notable arrest
- Rakshak Singh, TDPL accountant, arrested in Lucknow by the CID and brought to Ranchi
- Hunger strike
- Student leader Devendra Mahato (one report says six demonstrators in total)
- Government response
- Five-member government committee formed; CM agreed to meet a student delegation
- Location
- Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, Ranchi, Jharkhand
Quotes
Office bearer of the JPSC‑JSSC Reforms Manch
Student activist and organizer of the protest movement
““We have opened the door for dialogue. Talks will take place. We will listen to the students' demands, and if they are reasonable, we will certainly accept them.””
telegraphindia.com
“We have formed an 11‑member delegation, comprising eight students, two experts (journalists) and an advocate in response to the government offer to hold talks.”
telegraphindia.com
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari
Political spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party
““Rahul Gandhi's silence on the Jharkhand students' agitation is criminal. The Congress and Rahul Gandhi are silent because it is their government in the state.””
telegraphindia.com
“"I would like to thank the students who have given a positive response. A fruitful discussion is possible today."”
NDTV
Sources
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