Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Jharkhand students' exam protest enters 21st day, Tiranga Yatra planned
Students in a place called Jharkhand, in India, are upset about how some government job tests were conducted.
They think the tests were not fair.
They want the tests to be fairer and some tests to be cancelled.
They also want people from outside, like the CBI or retired judges, to investigate.
The protest has been going on for 21 days.
On India's Independence Day, they plan to march while carrying the Indian flag to make their movement stronger.
Earlier, there was a clash between students and police near the state Assembly building, and some police officers were hurt.
Police filed a case against 300 unnamed people, but no student has been arrested so far.
One protest leader has been on a hunger strike for 13 days and is in the hospital.
The Chief Minister promised to cancel one exam, while different political parties are accusing each other of using the protest for their own benefit.
Jharkhand students' protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations entered its 21st day on August 14.
Protesters plan a 'Tiranga Yatra' on the 80th Independence Day, August 15, saying it will strengthen their movement.
An FIR was filed against 300 unnamed people over the August 10 march, during which about 14 police personnel were injured; no arrests have been made over that clash.
The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch demands transparency in exams, cancellation of several tests, and an independent probe by the CBI or retired judges from outside the state.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren assured the 14th JPSC examination will be cancelled, while BJP, Congress and other parties trade accusations over the agitation.
- Who
- Students of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch led by Ravindra Paswan, Jharkhand police and the Ranchi district administration, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, and political parties including the BJP, Congress and ABVP.
- What
- A 21-day protest against alleged recruitment examination irregularities, a planned 'Tiranga Yatra' for Independence Day, an FIR over the August 10 clashes, and a CID probe that has led to 20 arrests.
- When
- August 14, 2026 (21st day of the protest); the Tiranga Yatra is planned for August 15, India's 80th Independence Day.
- Where
- Jharkhand, mainly in Ranchi; the FIR was registered at the Vidhan Sabha police station, and hunger-striking leaders are at Sadar Hospital.
- Why
- Students demand greater transparency in recruitment examinations, cancellation of several tests, and an independent probe by the CBI or a panel of retired judges from outside the state.
Protesters, BJP and opposition groups
Jharkhand government and police
FIR over August 10 clashes
Protesters, BJP and opposition groups
The Manch has no objection to an FIR against unidentified persons but appeals to the administration and the Jharkhand government not to file an FIR against any student, and says the planned Tiranga Yatra will strengthen the movement.
Jharkhand government and police
Police registered an FIR against 300 unnamed people for alleged violation of prohibitory orders, damage to government property and attacks on police personnel, after about 14 police personnel were injured in the confrontation.
Politics of the agitation
Protesters, BJP and opposition groups
The BJP alleged the Hemant Soren government is trying to suppress the movement; former chief minister Raghubar Das threatened a hunger strike if a CBI probe is not ordered within a week; ABVP announced protests at over 1,200 universities and questioned the SIT's credibility.
Jharkhand government and police
Chief Minister Hemant Soren accused the BJP of using the agitation for political gains and assured the 14th JPSC examination would be cancelled; the Congress accused the BJP of politicizing the agitation and bringing workers from outside the state to disrupt it.
Handling of the protest and police action
Protesters, BJP and opposition groups
Concern remains over the health of JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on hunger strike for 13 days and was admitted to hospital after his condition deteriorated; four other students on hunger strike are also undergoing treatment.
Jharkhand government and police
Police say they used batons, water cannons and tear gas shells to disperse protesters after 14 police personnel were injured, and are examining video footage to identify those involved in the violence.
- Protest duration
- 21 days (as of August 14)
- Organizing body
- JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch
- Key demands
- Transparency in exams, cancellation of several tests, independent CBI or retired judges' probe
- Planned event
- Tiranga Yatra on 80th Independence Day, August 15
- FIR
- Against 300 unnamed people at Vidhan Sabha police station over the August 10 march
- Police personnel injured
- 14
- Arrests
- None over August 10 clashes; 20 arrested so far in the exam irregularities probe, including former JPSC chairperson L Khiangte
- Hunger strike
- JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto on hunger strike for 13 days, admitted to Sadar Hospital
- Chief Minister's assurance
- 14th JPSC examination will be cancelled
