Hundreds of students in Ranchi have staged a multi-day protest and hunger strike over alleged paper leaks in state recruitment exams [1].
The demonstrations highlight systemic concerns regarding transparency and fairness in the civil service selection process in Jharkhand. Because these exams determine entry into critical government roles, any perceived irregularity threatens the professional futures of thousands of aspirants.
The protests entered their fifth consecutive day on Sunday [1]. Demonstrators are demanding the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Test [1]. They are also calling for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into irregularities involving both the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) [3].
Student leader Mahato said, "I will continue my hunger strike until the demands submitted to Chief Minister Hemant Soren are met."
While some reports indicate hundreds of students continued the daily protest [1], other accounts state that thousands of students participated in a torchlight vigil in the state capital [2]. The crowds have used the demonstrations to voice frustration with the current administration, chanting "Shame on Hemant Soren" and "Long live students' unity."
The movement has gained visibility through the support of the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court, who offered support to the protesters [2]. The students are seeking not only a specific investigation, but also broader structural reforms to prevent future leaks in the recruitment process [1].
The hunger strike remains ongoing as students await a formal response from the office of the Chief Minister regarding the requested CBI investigation [2].
“"I will continue my hunger strike until the demands submitted to Chief Minister Hemant Soren are met."”
The escalation of these protests to include a hunger strike and the public support of the Chief Justice suggests a significant crisis of confidence in Jharkhand's administrative bodies. By demanding a CBI probe rather than a state-level inquiry, students are signaling that they no longer trust local agencies to investigate their own irregularities, placing the state government under intense pressure to implement systemic oversight reforms.
