Recruitment – Jharkhand Students Continue Protest as Recruitment Examination Dispute Deepens
Recruitment – Students protesting in Ranchi over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) continued their demonstration for the 11th consecutive day on Tuesday. The movement has gained momentum as participants demand action over claims of corruption, paper leaks, and irregularities that they believe have affected the fairness of the state’s recruitment process.
Hunger Strike Intensifies the Protest
A key face of the ongoing agitation, student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, has entered the third day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. Protesters say they will escalate their campaign if the government does not respond to their concerns promptly. They have announced plans to surround the Jharkhand Assembly on August 6 if no concrete decision is taken on their demands.
Students Seek Major Reforms in Recruitment Process
The demonstrators are calling for the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination and an independent investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into alleged irregularities linked to JPSC and JSSC-CGL recruitment examinations. They have also sought the release of OMR sheets, main examination answer scripts, and category-wise cut-off marks to improve transparency. Additionally, the students have demanded that examination agencies facing allegations be blacklisted and that structural reforms be introduced in the state’s recruitment institutions.
According to the protesters, repeated controversies surrounding recruitment examinations are undermining confidence in the selection process and affecting the careers of deserving candidates who expect fair opportunities.
CID Expands Investigation Across Several Districts
As the protests continue, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has intensified its investigation into the alleged irregularities connected with the 14th JPSC examination. On Monday, investigative teams carried out coordinated searches at multiple locations in Ranchi, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Deoghar, Godda, Ramgarh, and Hazaribagh.
Officials recovered laptops, mobile phones, banking records, carbon copies of candidates’ OMR sheets, admit cards, and several documents considered important to the inquiry. The seized materials are now undergoing forensic and technical examination as investigators continue to collect evidence.
Earlier in the investigation, the CID conducted searches at the JPSC office and arrested several individuals associated with the examination process. Former JPSC Chairman and former Chief Secretary L. Kiyangte has also been questioned on multiple occasions as part of the ongoing probe.
Government Likely to Review Students’ Concerns
The Jharkhand government is expected to announce the formation of a high-level committee to examine the issues raised by the protesting students. Officials have stated that the administration remains committed to maintaining transparency and fairness in recruitment examinations and that legal action will be taken against anyone found responsible if wrongdoing is established during the investigation.
Opposition Steps Up Criticism
The controversy has also triggered strong political reactions. Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has accused the government of serious lapses in the recruitment system and alleged that jobs were being traded through the JPSC and JSSC recruitment process. He has demanded a CBI investigation into the entire matter, removal of the Chairpersons, Secretaries, and Examination Controllers of both commissions, and swift action against those found responsible.
Protest Continues Despite Challenging Weather
Heavy rainfall and difficult weather conditions have not weakened the resolve of the students participating in the agitation. Protesters have remained at the demonstration site while receiving support from local residents and several social organisations, which have been providing food, drinking water, and other essential supplies to those taking part in the protest.