Jharkhand Students March on State Assembly Amid Deadlock Over Exam Irregularities

Thousands of students are marching toward the Jharkhand State Assembly on Monday, August 10, 2026, after more than two weeks of protests against alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations. The demonstration follows a breakdown in negotiations between the state government and student groups. While the government claims to have accepted 98 percent of the protesters' demands, student leaders have called this claim a lie, stating that only three of thirteen requested exam cancellations were granted. A primary point of contention is the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination; the government asserts it lacks the legal authority to cancel this specific exam due to court directives, while students insist on its cancellation and a CBI probe.

Security has been heavily tightened across Ranchi and Jamshedpur. Police have installed razor fencing, deployed adequate forces, and imposed prohibitory orders within a 750 meter radius of the Vidhan Sabha building. Most schools in Ranchi remain closed for the day. Protesters have alleged that police are forcefully stopping students from entering the capital, while officials have urged the march to remain peaceful and disciplined. Six students are currently on a hunger strike.

Recent developments include the resignation of three Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) members after being summoned by the CID. Additionally, the Enforcement Directorate has filed a money laundering case to investigate JPSC irregularities. The government has agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC preliminary examination and JPSC backlog examinations from 2023 and 2025, but students continue to demand reforms and the cancellation of exams linked to the TSR Data Processing Private Limited Agency.