3 weeks ago
Jharkhand Students to Continue Protest Despite Positive Government Talks
In a part of India called Jharkhand, many students are upset about big exams called the JPSC and JSSC exams.
These exams decide who gets important government jobs, and the students think something unfair happened during them.
They are protesting in the city of Ranchi, and some have stopped eating to show how serious they are.
The students met with government leaders to talk, and everyone said the meeting was friendly and positive.
But the students said they will keep protesting until the government actually fixes things.
They want the government to cancel one of the exams and let outside experts check what went wrong.
One student who stopped eating got sick and had to go to the hospital.
During a march, someone threw ink at a student leader, and different people disagree about why that happened.
The government says it is listening carefully and will think about what the students want.
The students have also planned a big march to the state assembly if their demands are not met soon.
First-round talks between the JPSC/JSSC Reforms Manch and Jharkhand ministers at the State Guest House in Ranchi were described as positive and cordial but ended inconclusively, with students vowing to continue the agitation.
The protest over alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC examination and JSSC-CGL recruitment exams entered its 14th day on August 7, with six protesters on an indefinite hunger strike.
Hunger-striking student Rahul Kranti was admitted to Ranchi Sadar Hospital after his health deteriorated, and was visited by Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi and Health Minister Irfan Ansari.
All India Students' Association (AISA) president Neha Bora was hit with ink near Birsa Chowk during a solidarity march she blamed on 'RSS-BJP goons', an incident the BJP dismissed as a 'stage-managed drama'.
Students plan to march to the state assembly on August 10 if demands are not met by Sunday, while the CID has summoned three JPSC members and 19 people have been arrested.
- Who
- Student job aspirants led by the JPSC/JSSC Reforms Manch, headed by Ravindra Paswan, and a separate group led by hunger-striking JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, alongside a Jharkhand government panel headed by Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu and including ministers Dipika Pandey Singh, Sanjay Kumar Singh Yadav and Chamra Linda; Chief Minister Hemant Soren said he was ready for dialogue.
- What
- First-round talks over alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC examination and JSSC-CGL recruitment exams ended inconclusively, and students decided to continue their protest and hunger strike until demands including cancellation of the JPSC exam and an independent investigation are met.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand, India; the talks were held at the State Guest House and the protest is based at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, with a march planned to the Vidhan Sabha.
- When
- Reports published August 7, 2026, as the agitation that began July 25 entered its 14th day; most accounts place the talks on Friday evening, while one report says the meeting was held on Thursday.
- Why
- Protesters allege irregularities, delays and a lack of transparency in the JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations and want fair hiring, cancellation of the 14th JPSC exam and an independent probe.
Student Protesters and Allies
State Government and BJP
Continuing the agitation
Student Protesters and Allies
Students insist the protest and hunger strike will continue until all demands, including cancellation of the 14th JPSC exam, are met, saying positive assurances are not enough without concrete action.
State Government and BJP
The government calls the talks positive, cordial and sympathetic, says it is committed to considering the demands seriously, and promises an outcome that will be 'visible soon'.
Exam irregularities and cancellation
Student Protesters and Allies
Protesters allege irregularities in the 14th JPSC exam and JSSC-CGL and demand cancellation of the JPSC exam plus an independent investigation by the CBI or retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand.
State Government and BJP
The government has acknowledged the demands as genuine without confirming irregularities or agreeing to cancellation; BJP legislators in the Assembly demanded a court-monitored CBI probe, while minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu accused the BJP and the 'coaching mafia' of trying to hijack the movement.
Ink attack on Neha Bora
Student Protesters and Allies
AISA president Neha Bora says 'RSS-BJP goons' threw ink at her and around 20 other women during the march near Birsa Chowk, calling it an attempt to intimidate the student movement; the march was organised by AISA and AISF.
State Government and BJP
The BJP dismisses the incident as a 'stage-managed drama', while ABVP denies any involvement and condemns the attack.
Key facts
- Location
- Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
- Exams involved
- 14th JPSC examination and JSSC-CGL
- Key demands
- Cancellation of the 14th JPSC exam; independent probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand; comprehensive JPSC/JSSC reforms; transparency and timely vacancy filling
- Government panel
- Ministers Sudivya Kumar Sonu, Dipika Pandey Singh, Sanjay Kumar Singh Yadav and Chamra Linda, plus an additional chief secretary rank officer
- Talks status
- First round at the State Guest House, described as positive and cordial but inconclusive; lasted nearly two hours; most reports say Friday evening, one says Thursday
- Protest status
- 14th day on August 7 (began July 25); up to six protesters on indefinite hunger strike (one report says four); hunger-striker Rahul Kranti hospitalised
- Planned action
- March to the Vidhan Sabha on August 10 if demands are not met by Sunday; prohibitory order in a 750-metre radius of the Assembly from August 6 to 12
- Investigation
- 19 arrested; three serving JPSC members summoned by the state CID; former JPSC chairman L Khiangte questioned four times since July 28
Quotes
Leader of the JPSC/JSSC Reforms Manch
Chairperson of student reform group
“The meeting with the Jharkhand government was held in a positive atmosphere. It assured us that our demands would be considered. However, we have decided to continue our protest till all our demands, including cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination, are met.”
livemint.com
telegraphindia.com
“"This was our first meeting. It felt very positive. Sitting with everyone felt like family. It was a really positive meeting. We are confident that the government, the Chief Minister and all ministers will consider our demands genuine."”
news18.com
Sources
Jharkhand JPSC-JSSC Protest: Talks With Job Aspirants Inconclusive As Agitation Enters 14th Day | VIDEO
Jharkhand Ministers And Protesting Students Meet, Agitation To Continue
Jharkhand Students To Continue Protest Despite Positive Talks With Government
Jharkhand students protest: JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch announces march to state assembly on Monday if demands not met
'Protest To Continue Till Demands Met': Jharkhand JPSC‑JSSC Aspirants After First Round of Talks With Govt
Jharkhand recruitment row: No breakthrough in talks with govt, student protesters to continue hunger strike
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