Students Demand CBI Inquiry Amid Protests Over Jharkhand Recruitment Exam Irregularities

In Jharkhand, students are persistently protesting for a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities in recruitment exams. Despite the state government's claims of addressing 98% of their demands, including the cancellation of the 14th JPSC exam, the deadlock remains over the inquiry. Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar have assured justice, but students insist on a CBI probe before any agreement. With protests entering their 16th day and some students on hunger strike, the situation remains tense as discussions continue. The government has proposed a committee to investigate financial irregularities and establish a fast-track court for related cases, but the students are determined to march towards the assembly if their demands are not met.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 10, 2026, 07:37 IST

Ongoing Protests in Jharkhand

Ranchi, August 9 - Students in Jharkhand are steadfast in their demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities in recruitment exams. Despite assurances of justice from Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, the protests continue. The sixth round of discussions between the state government and the protesting students ended without resolution on Sunday. Although officials claimed to have accepted 98% of the protesters' demands, including the cancellation of the 14th JPSC exam, the deadlock remains over the CBI inquiry into the JSSC-CGL exam.

Student leader Ravindra Paswan stated after talks with the government delegation, "Most of our demands have been accepted, including the cancellation of the 14th JPSC exam. However, we will not reach any agreement until our demand for a CBI investigation is fulfilled. We plan to march towards the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10 as scheduled."

Sudivya Kumar, the state's Technical and Higher Education Minister, mentioned that while 98% of the demands have been met, the government cannot agree to a CBI investigation into the JSSC-CGL exam, as it was conducted under the supervision of the High Court and the Supreme Court.

Kumar, part of the government delegation engaging with the students, noted, "We had a positive dialogue with the students; the state government will recommend an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the financial irregularities related to the JPSC exam. Now, it is up to them to decide whether to withdraw the protest or not." He also announced the establishment of a fast-track court to handle cases related to exam irregularities.

He added that chargesheets in such cases would be filed within 90 days. A committee will be formed, including experts from IIT-ISM Dhanbad, IIM Ranchi, and XLRI Jamshedpur, to provide suggestions for improving the examination process.

The government has also agreed to form a committee led by a retired High Court judge to investigate the alleged irregularities in the JSSC-CGL exam. Earlier, Chief Minister Soren expressed his commitment to ensuring transparency and justice for the youth protesting against the alleged irregularities in recruitment exams.

He emphasized that dialogue is the key to resolving issues, not force. Soren accused vested interests of attempting to disrupt democracy in the state and urged that the students' movement should not be politicized.

He warned against individuals with political ambitions misleading the youth, asserting that their concerns are also his concerns, and strict action will be taken against those involved in exam irregularities. Governor Gangwar also urged students to resolve the matter through dialogue rather than protests.

He stated that the government is always open to discussions with the protesters. The sixth round of talks between the Jharkhand government and the protesting students took place at the state guest house in Ranchi. The students' protests have now entered their 16th day, with six protesters on an indefinite hunger strike.

A five-member delegation from the left-leaning student organization 'All India Students Association' (AISA) also participated in the discussions. The main demands of the leading student organization 'JPSC-JSSC Reform Forum' include the cancellation of the 14th JPSC civil service exam, a CBI inquiry into all exams, public disclosure of the investigation report, and strict action against the guilty. The students are also demanding the revocation of the suspension of Santosh Kumar Mastana, a section officer in the finance department who exposed the alleged irregularities, and the withdrawal of cases against him.

The Jharkhand Crime Investigation Department (CID) had arrested Mastana in October 2025 for allegedly spreading 'fake discourse' regarding the leak of the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) exam paper held in September 2024. The Jharkhand High Court granted him regular bail earlier this year. After several meetings between the government and student organizations failed to break the deadlock on Friday night and Saturday, another round of discussions was decided.