Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Jharkhand Students March on Assembly Over Exam Irregularities
Many grown-up students in a place called Jharkhand wanted government jobs.
To get those jobs, they had to pass big exams.
The students believe some of the exam question papers were leaked and that the exams were not fair.
They asked the government to cancel the unfair exams and investigate what went wrong.
When the government and the students talked, they could not reach an agreement.
So the students decided to march to the big government building in the city of Ranchi to show how they feel.
Some of them are not eating any food until the government listens — this is called a hunger strike.
The government says it already agreed to most of the students' requests, but the students say it did not cancel enough exams.
Police put up fences and used drones to keep everyone safe during the march.
Everyone has promised that the protest will stay peaceful.
Student protesters in Ranchi began marching towards the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly on Monday, the 17th day of their agitation over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.
The protesters' key demands include cancellation of the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination and a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities.
Students disputed the government's claim that 98% of demands were met, saying only three of the 13 exams they sought to cancel have been scrapped.
The government agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC examination and proposed Enforcement Directorate and CID probes, a fast-track court mechanism and expert panels, but rejected a CBI inquiry.
Three JPSC members resigned on Sunday amid the probe, while prohibitory orders were imposed within a 750-metre radius of the Assembly and around 1,500-2,000 additional police personnel were deployed.
- Who
- Student aspirants for JPSC and JSSC recruitment exams in Jharkhand, facing Chief Minister Hemant Soren's state government.
- What
- A 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march to the state Assembly demanding cancellation of disputed exams, a CBI probe and recruitment reforms.
- When
- Monday, August 10, 2026 — the 17th day of the agitation.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand, from the Old Assembly Ground to the state Assembly (Vidhan Sabha).
- Why
- Alleged irregularities and paper leaks in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations, and the government's rejection of key student demands such as a CBI probe.
Student Protesters
Jharkhand Government
CBI Investigation
Student Protesters
Students demand a CBI probe into alleged JPSC and JSSC exam irregularities and paper leaks, and the cancellation of all exams conducted by the TDPL agency and those involving Abhay Tiwari.
Jharkhand Government
Government rejects a CBI inquiry, arguing the JSSC-CGL exam was conducted under High Court and Supreme Court monitoring; it proposed CID and Enforcement Directorate probes instead.
Status of Demands
Student Protesters
Students say the government has not met 100% of demands, noting only three of the 13 exams they sought were cancelled and calling the 98% claim a lie.
Jharkhand Government
Government says it agreed to most of the demands, with Minister Sudivya Kumar stating there is no intention to save any culprit involved in exam irregularities.
Continuing the Agitation
Student Protesters
Students say the movement will continue until even one unmet demand is fulfilled and went ahead with the Assembly march despite appeals.
Jharkhand Government
Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar and ministers appealed for continued negotiations and urged students to withdraw the agitation.
- Protest
- Vidhan Sabha Gherao march to the Jharkhand Assembly
- Day of agitation
- 17th day (August 10, 2026)
- Key demands
- Cancellation of JSSC-CGL exam, CBI probe, recruitment reforms
- Exams in dispute
- Students sought cancellation of 13 exams; government cancelled 3
- Government actions
- 14th JPSC exam cancelled; ED and CID probes and fast-track court proposed; CBI inquiry rejected
- JPSC resignations
- Chairman L Khiangte resigned July 22; three members resigned August 9
- Arrests
- 19 people arrested in connection with alleged JPSC irregularities
- Security
- Prohibitory orders within 750-metre radius of Assembly (August 6-12); ~1,500-2,000 additional police personnel deployed
Sources
Ranchi: Students to March on Assembly Today After Talks with Govt Fail
Jharkhand students march towards Assembly over recruitment exam row; demand reforms, CBI probe
Jharkhand Protest: What Are Students' Demands As They Prepare To Gherao Assembly Today?