Third meeting on student protests in Ranchi fails; JPSC members resign

Another round of negotiations between students and the state government is scheduled in Ranchi. Previously, on Friday, the first meeting took place between students protesting over irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC exams in Jharkhand, and the state government. The government, led by Hemant Soren, formed a panel of four ministers that engaged in dialogue with a delegation of ten students.

On Saturday at 10:30 AM, the eight-member student representative body, 'JPSC-JSSC Aspirants Justice Forum,' will hold a discussion with government representatives at the State Guest House in Ranchi.

The students have been continuously protesting since the discovery of irregularities in the 14th JPSC civil service exam on July 2nd. Student leader Devendran Nath Mahto has been on a hunger strike for six days in support of the protesting students.

Protesting student Kush Mahto stated that the negotiations will be conducted under Devendra Mahto's leadership, and if their demands are not met, they will continue the hunger strike.

It was previously noted that the panel participating in the negotiations with the students on Friday and hearing their demands included Chamra Linda (JMM), Sudivya Kumar Sonu (JMM), Deepika Pandey Singh (Congress), and Sanjay Prasad Yadav (RJD).

The representation that will participate in the negotiations at the State Guest House belongs to the main group of protesting students, separate from Devendra Mahto's group. This delegation previously participated in the meeting and presented the students' viewpoint.

After the completion of the previous negotiations, student leader Ravindra Paswan reported that it was their first meeting and that it went very positively. He noted that the atmosphere was like a family setting and that it was truly a positive meeting. He expressed confidence that the government, the Chief Minister, and all ministers would consider their demands.

The scandal, which began with allegations of opening examination material envelopes and the disappearance of OMR sheets in the 14th JPSC exam (PT), has escalated into the largest student movement in Jharkhand's history. However, since students are demanding not so much the purity of the exams themselves as an investigation by the supervisory agency, the question arises whether this movement casts doubt on the integrity of the government's own investigative body.

As a result of a sit-in strike at the Jai Pal Singh Stadium in Ranchi, the government was compelled to form a special commission comprising four ministers (Dipika Pandey Singh, Chamra Linda, Sudivya Kumar Sonu, Sanjay Prasad) and senior IAS officer Ajay Kumar. Although the state government is conducting an investigation through the CID, students insist on a CBI investigation into all seven disputed JPSC and JSSC exams conducted between 2019 and 2026, rather than just canceling one exam.

Students argue that the more than 19 arrests made by state agencies (CID) are themselves proof that the OMR sheets were obtained illegally and that a 'collusive' system was organized. Nevertheless, they believe this only catches small fry, leaving major 'crocodiles' unpunished. This is why students are now demanding the intervention of the central investigating agency—the CBI.

The history of JPSC and JSSC exams since 2019 has been marked by several incidents: in 2019-20, students approached the High Court regarding disputed JPSC lists and cut-off scores. In 2021, disputes arose over discrepancies in the Answer Key and the lack of transparency in the selection process for JPSC. In 2022, a statewide protest occurred over cut-off scores and a suspicious evaluation system for JSSC. In 2023, a leak of JSSC CGL examination materials on social media shortly before the exam drew judicial attention. In 2024, the use of Dummy Candidates was uncovered, and an organized cheating syndicate was exposed in JGGLCCE-JSSC CGL. And in 2025, students pointed to a lack of transparency in JSSC results and accused authorities of favoring favorites. The last major protest, involving a strike and the initiation of a CID investigation, took place in 2026 during the 14th JPSC PT exam.

The state government asserts that the CID investigation is actively underway, with over 19 arrests made so far, including examination center operators, middlemen, and suspects. Despite this, students claim that state investigative bodies are only dealing with low-level 'racketeers' and closing cases. They emphasize that the network of material leaks and covert access extends to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi, and only the central agency (CBI) can conduct such an investigation.

'Abhay Tiwari' has become the symbol of the syndicate that allows people to enter the top lists without taking the exam or by leaving the OMR sheet blank. Students are now opposing any such syndicate. This is why, even on the 13th day, despite heavy rain, all students continue their protest.

Students have clearly stated that if the four-minister government commission wishes to negotiate, it must appear at this open venue at the stadium. Student trust in closed-door meetings in offices has been completely lost.