INDIA 🔗 Part of: India Education Reforms and Paper Leak Protests (8) · 10 Aug 2026 · 03:44 GMT ·2 min read

Jharkhand State Government Faces Student Protests Over Recruitment Irregularities

Jharkhand authorities deployed security for a student-led march to the state Assembly on August 10, 2026.

NEUTRALITY 88 · BALANCED· 3 sources

Hindustan Times India

Jharkhand authorities deployed security for a student-led march to the state Assembly on August 10, 2026. Aspirants protest alleged irregularities in the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination. The government canceled the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Civil Services and backlog exams. Officials rejected demands for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. They proposed a judicial inquiry and potential Enforcement Directorate (ED) oversight. Three JPSC members resigned on August 9, 2026, during the unrest over alleged CGL exam paper leaks.

Context

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto held a 16-day hunger strike to protest reported paper leaks in the recruitment processes of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). The current unrest follows his protest.

Supportive perspectives

The government of Jharkhand canceled the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Civil Services Examination. Officials also canceled the JPSC backlog examinations from 2023 and 2025. The administration stated these cancellations respond to student grievances.
State officials proposed a judicial inquiry led by a retired judge to investigate the CGL examination process.
The government announced that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) will investigate the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination. The agency will initiate this probe if it identifies financial irregularities.
Ranchi City Superintendent of Police Paras Rana stated that police will not take action against protesters, provided the demonstration remains peaceful.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren told students that the state government remains committed to protecting their rights. He asked the students to ignore claims from political parties.

Critical perspectives

Students demand a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) exam. They call this non-negotiable.
Three members of the JPSC resigned on August 9, 2026. The members were Ajita Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda, and Jamal Ahmed. Their resignations occurred during an ongoing controversy.
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto received medical care after a 16-day hunger strike. He staged the protest to challenge reported paper leaks.
Students express dissatisfaction with government concessions. The state reports that it has met 98% of student demands.