Zoya Mateen

Hundreds of students and job aspirants have protested in Ranchi since 25 July over alleged manipulation of Jharkhand’s preliminary civil service examination and broader recruitment delays. They are demanding that the exam be cancelled and retaken, that the allegations be investigated by the CBI, and that state hiring become regular and transparent. The Jharkhand CID is investigating, the Jharkhand Public Service Commission has postponed the next examination stage, and its chairman has resigned. The state government supports an internal investigation and has offered talks, while the BJP and Congress have backed the protesters. Hunger strikers remain wary of political involvement and government assurances, reflecting wider anger over India’s competitive and unreliable public-sector recruitment system.

Hundreds of students and government-job aspirants have occupied a stadium in Ranchi since 25 July, with some sleeping outdoors and fasting, after alleging that Jharkhand’s April civil service preliminary examination was manipulated. They want the exam cancelled and repeated, a Central Bureau of Investigation probe, action over wider recruitment irregularities and timely, transparent hiring. The state Criminal Investigation Department is investigating, the Jharkhand Public Service Commission has postponed the next stage, and its chairman resigned and was questioned. The state government supports the ongoing CID inquiry but says it will discuss cancelling the exam. Opposition BJP and ruling-partner Congress have backed the protesters, while demonstrators insist the movement remain student-led. Talks had been offered but had not formally begun, leaving protesters unwilling to end the sit-in.

Demonstrators from the Cockroach Janta Party attempted to march on India’s parliament despite a police ban, leading to clashes, injuries and the use of tear gas. The protest, fuelled by anger over exam paper leaks and broader frustrations with employment and transparency, drew tens of thousands to Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hospitalisation intensified support, while police dismantled the protest site and restricted internet access. Representatives met Health Minister JP Nadda but made no progress, and tensions remained high as officers moved to clear the area.