Large numbers of students gathered at Ranchi’s Old Assembly premises on Monday, August 10, before marching towards the new Jharkhand Assembly over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). The march followed several rounds of talks between student representatives and the Hemant Soren-led government that failed to resolve the central disagreements.
The protesters are demanding cancellation of the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities, comprehensive examination reforms and a transparent recruitment calendar. The government, meanwhile, says it has accepted most of the students’ demands, agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC examination and proposed investigations and reforms, but has rejected a CBI probe into the JSSC-CGL examination.
As students began moving towards the Assembly, some protesters breached police barricades, while security personnel in riot gear were deployed along the route.
Students Stand Their Ground
The Assembly march marks the latest escalation in an agitation that entered its 17th day on Monday. Student leaders had announced that the march would proceed despite the failure of negotiations, with large numbers of aspirants expected to travel to Ranchi from different parts of Jharkhand. Sanjay Mehta, one of the student leaders, said protesters would march peacefully from the Old Assembly to the new Assembly and urged participants not to disrupt traffic, confront police or spread rumours. Their key demands include cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities, acceptance of an examination reform model proposed by students and adherence to a fixed recruitment calendar.
The protest has also been fuelled by the indefinite hunger strike led by student leader Devendra Nath Mahto. Mahto has been fasting for nine days and was brought to the protest site in an ambulance before joining the Assembly march on a stretcher. He has described August 10 as a “decisive day” for the movement, arguing that students from poor, farming, working-class and rural families should not lose employment opportunities because of alleged paper leaks or manipulation. He has maintained that the agitation will continue until the students’ core demands are addressed. Six students are reported to be on indefinite hunger strike as the protest continues.
Government Offers Several Measures
The Jharkhand government has defended its response, saying it has accepted a substantial majority of the students’ demands. Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar said it was “unfortunate” that students had not withdrawn their agitation despite the government agreeing to most of their demands. The government has agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC examination and has proposed investigations into alleged irregularities, including an Enforcement Directorate probe into possible financial irregularities. It has also proposed a fast-track mechanism for examination-related cases, with charge sheets to be filed within 90 days, along with an expert panel involving institutions such as IIT-ISM Dhanbad, IIM Ranchi and XLRI Jamshedpur to recommend recruitment reforms.
The major sticking point remains the JSSC-CGL examination and the nature of the investigation. The government has refused to cancel the examination or order a CBI probe, arguing that the examination was conducted under judicial directions and remains subject to judicial monitoring. It has instead proposed a committee headed by a retired High Court judge to examine the allegations.
Minister Deepika Pandey Singh said the government would allow students to protest peacefully and assured that pellet guns, tear gas and lathi-charge would not be used against them. She added that the state was willing to keep the investigation open-ended and had invited the Enforcement Directorate to examine allegations of financial misappropriation.
Protests Grow Amid Security
The confrontation has unfolded against a backdrop of heightened security across Ranchi. Authorities imposed prohibitory orders within a 750-metre radius of the Vidhan Sabha from August 6 to August 12, between 6 am and 10 pm, and deployed additional police personnel and barricades at key locations. ADG (Headquarters) Manoj Kaushik appealed to students to preserve the peaceful nature of their agitation and prevent anti-social elements from joining the march. Ranchi SSP Rakesh Ranjan said, “We do not want a blot on the career of any student due to disruption of law and order,” while confirming that adequate forces had been deployed across the city.
The latest developments have added further pressure on the government. Three JPSC members, Ajita Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda and Jamal Ahmed, resigned on Sunday, with Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar accepting their resignations. The resignations came amid investigations into alleged examination irregularities, while JPSC chairman L Khiangte had resigned on July 22.
Officials have said 19 people have so far been arrested in connection with alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Governor Gangwar have urged students to return to dialogue, with Soren assuring that those responsible for irregularities would face strict action.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
For thousands of young people preparing for competitive examinations, a government recruitment test represents more than a written paper. It can determine years of preparation, financial sacrifice and hopes of securing a stable livelihood. Allegations of irregularities therefore deserve a credible, transparent and impartial response, irrespective of who is responsible. At the same time, protests must remain peaceful and should not place students, police officers or ordinary citizens at risk.
The government’s willingness to investigate allegations and introduce reforms is important, but restoring trust will require clear timelines, transparency and meaningful engagement with the students. Equally, the protesters’ concerns are best advanced through sustained dialogue rather than confrontation. A fair examination system ultimately serves both students and the state. What steps do you think the Jharkhand government and protesting students should take to rebuild trust and ensure a fair recruitment process?
