Students in Jharkhand Continue Protests Over Recruitment Exam Irregularities

Students in Jharkhand are steadfast in their protests against alleged irregularities in recruitment exams conducted by the JPSC and JSSC. They demand significant reforms and accountability, insisting that their movement will persist until their concerns are addressed. With the protests entering their 20th day, students have faced health issues, yet remain committed to their cause. They emphasize that simply canceling exams is not enough; the root causes of the irregularities must be tackled. The government is urged to respond seriously to their demands and ensure that accountability is prioritized.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 13, 2026, 11:50 IST

Ongoing Student Protests in Jharkhand

Screengrab image shows police forces using water canons after protesters broke through police barricades(Source: X)

Ranchi, Aug 13: The protests led by students in Jharkhand regarding alleged irregularities and paper leaks in recruitment exams organized by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) persisted on Thursday. The demonstrators emphasized that their movement will not cease until their demands are met with concrete actions.

Participants in the protest expressed that their main goal is to achieve significant reforms in the recruitment process and to hold accountable those responsible for any misconduct. They called on the government to take their concerns seriously and respond in a transparent manner.

One student articulated that the protest's focus extends beyond merely canceling exams; it aims to tackle the underlying issues related to the alleged irregularities.

"The primary demand of the protesters is for reforms. We are also affected by the calls to cancel our exams. However, simply canceling them won't rectify the situation. It would allow those accountable for the irregularities to evade scrutiny, as there would be no investigation," a student remarked.

Another protester noted that while governments may change, the need for accountability should remain constant.

He stated, "The government must address the students’ concerns with empathy and seriousness, taking proper notice of them. While administrations may come and go, accountability must be established. The government should earnestly address and resolve the issues currently raised. The students’ main demand is to cancel the CGL examination, implement reforms, and ensure accountability so that students do not have to face similar issues in the future."

Students reported that some of their peers required medical assistance and were taken to hospitals due to health issues. Nevertheless, they affirmed that the protests would persist until their demands are met.

Another student shared, "Some students have stepped away to refresh themselves. Today marks the 20th day... Many are on hunger strike, and several have been hospitalized. The fact remains that 20 days have passed, and the government has yet to meet our demands. That is why we are still here, and we will continue until all our demands are satisfied."

Student leader Ravindra mentioned, "We met with the SSP yesterday, but he did not indicate that FIRs were being filed against students. Our protest has been historic, with students uniting to advocate for their rights. If the administration believes that some anti-social elements were present attempting to derail the students' movement, the government should identify them. However, it should be noted that around 50,000 students were present. If only one or two percent were undesirable elements, only they should be targeted, and students should not face harassment in any form."