JPSC-JSSC – Students plan Assembly march in Ranchi over exam irregularities
JPSC-JSSC – Student protesters are set to march towards the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi on Monday, demanding action over alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). Security has been strengthened across the city ahead of the planned “Vidhan Sabha Gherao” protest.
Security tightened ahead of the march
The Jharkhand Police and district administration have put extensive security measures in place along the expected protest route. Razor fencing has been installed near the Jagannath Temple, while restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita have been enforced within a 750-metre radius of the state Assembly.
The students have said their main demands remain unresolved despite several rounds of discussions with the state government. These include cancellation of specific examinations, an investigation into alleged irregularities and changes to the recruitment system.
Student leaders say key demands remain pending
Student leader Ravindra Paswan said the protesters had divided their demands into three broad areas — examination cancellations, investigations and recruitment reforms. According to him, the government has accepted demands concerning reforms but has not agreed to several requests for examination cancellations.
Paswan said students are seeking cancellation of examinations conducted by TDPL, along with the JSSC-CGL, PGT and Excise examinations and other tests linked to Abhay Tiwari. He also called on students from across Jharkhand to participate in the Assembly march and support demands for independent investigations.
He said the protest would remain peaceful and constitutional. Paswan added that students would oppose anyone attempting to create disorder or violence during the demonstration and would hand such individuals over to the police.
Protesters demand CBI investigation
Another student leader, Sanjay Mehta, said multiple rounds of talks had failed to resolve all the demands raised by the aspirants. He said students and supporters from different districts were backing the planned march.
Mehta identified cancellation of the CGL examination, a CBI investigation into the matter, implementation of the students’ proposed recruitment reforms and adherence to a suggested recruitment calendar as key demands. He said the movement would continue if any of these demands remained unaddressed.
Student leader Piyush Kumar also rejected the government’s reported position that all demands had been accepted. He said cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination was among the protesters’ principal demands, along with an investigation into and cancellation of examinations associated with Abhay Kumar Tiwari.
Kumar said the students were seeking a broader investigation and appealed to the administration not to prevent supporters from travelling to Ranchi. He reiterated that the planned demonstration would follow a non-violent approach.
Protests began after JPSC results
The agitation began after the results of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination were announced on July 5. Aspirants subsequently raised allegations concerning the recruitment process and began round-the-clock protests and an indefinite sit-in, calling for greater transparency and accountability.
Protesters staying at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium have demanded cancellation of JSSC CGL, JSSC JE and PGT examinations conducted after 2019. Their demands also include a CBI inquiry, strict action against those found responsible, publication of category-wise cut-offs, access to OMR copies and response sheets, and a recruitment calendar similar to those followed by UPSC and SSC.
JPSC members resign as government announces probes
The developments come after three members of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission resigned on Sunday. The state government has also announced a multi-pronged response that includes probes by the Crime Investigation Department and Enforcement Directorate into alleged recruitment irregularities.
Despite these steps, the protesting aspirants continue to seek a CBI inquiry into the matters they have raised. They have maintained that Monday’s Assembly march will be peaceful while pressing the government for further action on their demands.