Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Jharkhand students to gherao Assembly on August 10
Students in Jharkhand, a state in India, are very upset about exams that decide who gets government jobs.
They believe the exams were unfair and had problems.
Some students have stopped eating to show how serious they are.
They plan to march in big numbers and surround the Assembly building on August 10 if their demands are not met.
They want the exams cancelled, including all tests held by a company called TDPL.
They also want special investigators, called the CBI and ED, to find out what went wrong.
The leaders of the state say they are ready to talk and have chosen ministers to speak with the students.
The Chief Minister said exam paper leaks are a problem across the whole country.
Police have already arrested 19 people connected to the problems.
The students say this time their movement will not be stopped.
Students announced a 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' (Assembly blockade) on August 10 if their demands are not met.
Protesters demand cancellation of the JPSC and JSSC CGL exams and all recruitment tests conducted through TDPL, plus CBI and ED investigations.
The protest, launched on July 25 under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, has six demonstrators on hunger strike.
The Jharkhand government formed a team of cabinet ministers for talks; CM Hemant Soren called question paper leaks a national problem.
A CID probe has led to 19 arrests, and a prohibitory order is in force within a 750-metre radius of the Assembly from August 6-12.
- Who
- Students under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, including hunger-striking protesters, the Jharkhand government led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, and opposition NDA (BJP) MLAs.
- What
- Students announced a 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' (blockade of the Legislative Assembly) on August 10 to demand cancellation of the JPSC and JSSC CGL exams and all TDPL-conducted tests, along with CBI and ED investigations and structural reforms.
- When
- The announcement was made on Thursday as the Assembly's Monsoon Session began; the protest started on July 25 and has run for 13 days.
- Where
- Jharkhand, India — with the protest based at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium and the gherao planned at the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha).
- Why
- Because students allege irregularities in recruitment exams and say repeated appeals to the government failed to produce concrete action.
Student protesters
State government
Path to resolution
Student protesters
Students plan to gherao the Assembly on August 10 unless their demands are met, saying this time in 2026 the movement will not be suppressed.
State government
The government says it is always ready for dialogue and appeals to students to begin talks as soon as possible; CM Hemant Soren has offered talks.
Exams and investigation
Student protesters
Students demand full cancellation of the JPSC, JSSC CGL and all TDPL-conducted exams, plus CBI and ED investigations and structural reforms, saying their concerns have been ignored.
State government
The government formed a committee and a team of cabinet ministers, says it is serious about the issue, and points to an ongoing CID probe that has made 19 arrests.
Probe agency trust
Student protesters
Students and opposition BJP/NDA MLAs insist on a CBI probe, with BJP chief whip Naveen Jaiswal saying 'nobody trusts your CID and committee.'
State government
The government backs its committee and CID investigation, and Minister Sudivya Kumar thanked students for a positive response, saying a fruitful discussion is possible.
- Protest action
- Vidhan Sabha Gherao (Assembly blockade) planned for August 10
- Movement
- JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch; began July 25 at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium
- Exams in dispute
- 14th JPSC Civil Services Exam, JSSC CGL and other TDPL-conducted tests
- Key demands
- Cancellation of exams; CBI and ED investigation; structural reforms
- Hunger strike
- JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto and five other protesters fasting
- Government response
- Cabinet ministers' team for talks; CM calls paper leaks a national problem
- CID probe
- 19 arrests; former JPSC chairman L Khiangte questioned four times
- Prohibitory order
- 750-metre radius around the Assembly, August 6-12, 6 am-10 pm
