Jharkhand Students Protest: Competitive exam candidates in Jharkhand have been protesting and staging a hunger strike for several days. Students are fed up with paper leaks and fraud in the JPSC and JSSC recruitment exams. They demand a transparent and accountable system.
Jharkhand Students Protest: Like Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, youth anger is currently surfacing on the streets of Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand. Competitive exam candidates have been staging protests for several days, and many are even on hunger strike. The youth’s demand isn’t just for the cancellation of one exam, but for transparency and accountability in the entire recruitment system. Jharkhand’s youth are fed up with the rigging and paper leaks in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and JSSC recruitment exams.
So the question is, what is this whole matter and why are thousands of young people angry? What are their demands? What steps has the government taken so far? Let’s find out in detail.
What is the controversy regarding Jharkhand’s JPSC?
The recent controversy surrounding the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) escalated following the results of the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination. Following the announcement of the results, candidates questioned the merit list process, and some OMR sheets surfaced on social media, leading to allegations of irregularities in the selection process. It was claimed that a candidate had attempted only approximately 48 questions in Paper 1, yet was declared successful for the main examination. Candidates also demanded that JPSC release category-wise cutoff marks.
Following these allegations, the state government formed a special investigation team through the CID. It has arrested several officials and individuals involved in the conduct of the examination. However, the investigation is still ongoing. Commission Chairman L. Khiangte resigned from his post on July 22nd amid the ongoing CID investigation.
JPSC conducted nine examinations
As the controversy escalated, the JPSC postponed nine recruitment exams, including the Combined Civil Services Main Examination 2025, until further notice on July 22. The commission stated in a press note that this decision was made due to government directives and irregularities in the conduct of the exams.
What is the matter with JSSC?
There have been numerous controversies surrounding the JSSC in Jharkhand. Previously, the JSSC-CGL exam was marred by allegations of irregularities, including paper leaks. Furthermore, in the 2026 Field Worker Recruitment Exam, many candidates complained about remote exam centers, delayed receipt of admit card information, and the paper itself. The Commission stated that all information was provided on time, but candidates criticized the system as inadequate.
What are the main demands of the students?
- 14th JPSC preliminary examination should be cancelled.
- The entire matter should be investigated by CBI.
- The examination should be conducted again in a fair manner.
- Transparency and improvement should be brought in the recruitment process.
- Strict action should be taken against the culprits.
What did the Jharkhand High Court say?
Several petitions have been filed in the High Court regarding the Jharkhand Public Service Commission’s 14th Civil Services Preliminary Examination. The petitioners allege that many answers in the model answer key were incorrect and that the cutoff was not released. Many candidates who scored high marks were declared unsuccessful. They have asked the court to cancel the preliminary examination or, alternatively, allow them to appear in the main examination.Regarding this entire matter, the JPSC stated in court that the case is being investigated. The main examination has already been postponed. Therefore, it would not be appropriate to issue any interim order at this stage. However, the court did not grant any interim relief to the Commission and directed it to file a reply within four weeks. The next hearing will be held on September 24, 2026.
