Students Allege Bid To Remove Devendra Mahato Amid JPSC-JSSC Protest (Img: X)
Ranchi: The ongoing agitation by government job aspirants intensified in Jharkhand on Sunday after another round of talks between student representatives and the state government failed to resolve the dispute over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. Protesters have decided to continue their indefinite hunger strike and demand a high-level investigation into the functioning of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
The student protest, which entered its 16th day on August 9, 2026, has become a major political and administrative challenge for the Hemant Soren government. Several students participating in the hunger strike are facing health concerns, but agitaors have refused to withdraw their agitation until their demands are addressed. The latest meeting between the Jharkhand government committee and a seven-member delegation of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch was held in Ranchi. However, discussions ended without a final agreement as student leaders maintained that the government’s proposals did not address their primary demands.
The protest has been organised by aspirants alleging irregularities in government recruitment examinations, including concerns over transparency, examination management, alleged paper leaks and the role of private testing agencies. Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto has been sitting on an indefinite hunger strike, while another protester Rahul Krantim is also continuing his fast under medical supervision. Around six students are currently participating in the hunger strike.
Doctors from Ranchi Sadar Hospital have been monitoring the health condition of fasting students at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where the demonstration is underway. Medical teams have reported concerns over declining health indicators, including a drop in blood glucose levels of some protesters. Despite medical advice, students have refused hospitalisation and have maintained that the movement will continue until the government takes concrete action. Government Offers Partial Solution, Students Demand Wider Probe
During talks, the Jharkhand government reportedly proposed cancellation of three examinations, including the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) 2023 and 2025 examinations and the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination. However, the protesting students rejected the proposal, stating that cancellation of selected examinations alone would not resolve the larger issue of alleged irregularities in the recruitment system.
The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch has demanded a comprehensive investigation into all disputed examinations and sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into allegations of corruption, paper leaks and administrative failures. The protesters have also demanded that inquiry reports should be made public and strict legal action should be initiated against officials, agencies or individuals found responsible for irregularities.
The Jharkhand government has agreed to examine examinations conducted through TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL), a Lucknow-based private examination agency. Authorities are also considering major reforms in the functioning of JPSC and JSSC with assistance from expert institutions, including the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS).
The proposed reforms may include strengthening digital examination security, improving question paper management systems, introducing better monitoring mechanisms, increasing transparency in recruitment procedures and ensuring accountability of examination agencies. The government has also indicated that financial transactions connected with alleged irregularities may be examined through investigative agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED), if required.
The protesting aspirants have raised several demands related to recruitment transparency and accountability. They are demanding cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination and a review of other recruitment examinations conducted through private agencies.
Students have also demanded withdrawal of cases against protesters and revocation of the suspension of Finance Department section officer Santosh Kumar Mastana, who had raised concerns regarding alleged irregularities in the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination. Mastana was arrested by the Jharkhand CID in October 2025 over allegations related to spreading misleading information about a paper leak issue and was later granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has said that the government is committed to ensuring justice for students and taking strict action against anyone found involved in examination-related wrongdoing. The state government has maintained that dialogue is the only way to resolve the issue and has appealed to students to avoid prolonged agitation.
The administration has also stated that the concerns of young aspirants regarding recruitment examinations are being examined seriously and the future of students will not be compromised. Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar has also appealed to protesting students to resolve the matter through discussions, assuring that the government is open to hearing their concerns.
The student protest has also turned into a political issue, with opposition parties attacking the state government over its handling of the matter. BJP leaders, including Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Jharkhand BJP president Aditya Sahu and party chief whip Naveen Jaiswal, visited the protesting students and extended support to their demands. The saffron party has demanded a detailed investigation into alleged recruitment irregularities and accused the government of delaying action.
Meanwhile, student leaders have alleged that the government is attempting to weaken the movement by holding separate discussions with different student organisations. The protesters claimed that meetings with groups such as the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha (JCM) and Adivasi Chhatra Sangh were an attempt to divide the agitation.
Student leaders have warned that the agitation will be intensified if their demands are not accepted. The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch has announced plans for a Vidhan Sabha Gherao march, with students from different districts expected to participate. Aspirants from districts including Hazaribagh, Palamu and Latehar have reportedly joined the movement, increasing pressure on the state government. The protest has also received support from political leaders, student organisations and social activists who have highlighted concerns over delayed examinations, unemployment and uncertainty among government job aspirants.
The protest reflects long-standing frustration among aspirants over delays in recruitment examinations, allegations of paper leaks, corruption claims and questions over the transparency of government job selection processes. Thousands of candidates preparing for government jobs in Jharkhand have demanded a reliable and transparent recruitment system with strict monitoring mechanisms. The controversy has now become one of the biggest youth-related issues in the state, putting pressure on the Hemant Soren government to find a solution.
