Students Protest Recruitment Irregularities in Jharkhand; Demand CBI Probe

Hundreds of students have continued an indefinite sit-in at the Jaipal Singh Munda stadium in Ranchi for five consecutive days as of Sunday, August 2, 2026. The protesters are demanding the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Preliminary Test held on April 19 and a central investigation by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate into alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). On Sunday, student leader Devendra Nath Mahato launched an indefinite hunger strike to escalate the struggle, while thousands of other students held a torchlight procession from the stadium to Albert Ekka Chowk. The protesters have threatened to march to the Jharkhand Assembly and stage a gherao if their demands are not met. Specific demands include a CBI probe into all recruitment exams from the past seven years, the introduction of a "not attempted" option on OMR sheets, and the resignation of Chief Minister Hemant Soren on moral grounds. While the Chief Minister has ordered a CID probe, students expressed dissatisfaction, claiming previous investigations into paper leaks were covered up. The protests have gained further momentum with support from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), whose founder, Abhijeet Dipke, stated that the party stands with the students. Center-left reporting emphasizes the personal struggles of students from farming and tribal backgrounds and the perceived insensitivity of the JMM-led government. Center-right reporting focuses more on the timeline of the agitation, the specific role of the TDPL agency, and the political backing provided by the CJP.