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Several students have also begun an indefinite hunger strike (Img: X)
New Delhi: A growing student movement in Jharkhand has brought recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) under intense scrutiny. Thousands of students and job aspirants have been staging protests in Ranchi, alleging irregularities in the recruitment process and demanding a transparent investigation.
Although the immediate trigger was the controversy surrounding the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Examination, protesters say the agitation represents years of frustration over delayed recruitments, lack of transparency and repeated allegations of irregularities in state government examinations.
Several students have also begun an indefinite hunger strike, while different student organisations have announced protest marches in the coming days to intensify pressure on the state government.
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The controversy began after JPSC announced the preliminary examination results for the 14th Combined Civil Services Examination. Soon after the results were declared, aspirants questioned the recruitment process, alleging that category-wise cut-off marks were not made public.
Students also claimed that the published merit list did not carry the signatures of Commission members, raising concerns over the transparency of the selection process.
The issue gained further attention after an alleged OMR answer sheet of a shortlisted candidate circulated on social media. Protesters claimed the candidate had attempted significantly fewer questions than what would ordinarily be required to qualify for the Main examination. However, the authenticity of the viral OMR sheet has not been independently verified.
Following the allegations, the Jharkhand government directed the Crime Investigation Department (CID) to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the matter.
The protesters say the issue goes beyond a single recruitment examination and reflects long-standing concerns over the functioning of recruitment agencies in the state.
Their key demands include:
Student leaders have said they will continue their agitation until these demands are addressed.
The state government has initiated an investigation through the CID and SIT. During the probe, several people, including JPSC Deputy Examination Controller Shweta Gupta, were arrested in connection with the alleged irregularities.
JPSC Chairman L Khiangte also resigned from his post, while the Commission postponed the 14th Civil Services Main Examination and several other recruitment tests until further notice.
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Despite these developments, protesters insist that only an independent investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) can restore confidence among aspirants.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has said the government is awaiting the investigation report and assured students that appropriate action will be taken once the findings are available.
The agitation has also received support from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Party founder Abhijeet Dipke and leader Ashutosh Ranka spoke with protesting students and expressed solidarity with their demands.
The CJP had earlier led nationwide protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, following which the Centre announced several examination reforms. Student leaders in Jharkhand say they hope the ongoing movement will similarly lead to greater accountability and transparency in the state's recruitment process.
