Students in Ranchi demand CBI investigation into hiring case that began 4 years ago

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.

Student protests in Jharkhand are intensifying due to alleged irregularities in the 14th joint preliminary examination conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC). Amid continuous demonstrations, the government of Hemant Soren is facing pressure.

In response to the protests, the government formed a delegation of four ministers to negotiate with the students. However, the students insist that the meeting must take place directly with the Chief Minister. There is a high probability that the ministerial group will visit the protest site on Thursday to begin dialogue. According to state sources, if on-site negotiations do not occur, student representatives may be invited to a public venue.

Government considers canceling results

According to sources, given the growing dissatisfaction among students, the government is seriously considering the option of canceling the exam results. It is reported that this issue is being discussed at the government level, and an important decision may be made soon.

Meanwhile, Minister of Welfare Linda stated that the government has invited student representatives for a discussion. Nevertheless, the students have clearly stated that they do not agree to closed-door negotiations. Their demand is for Chief Minister Hemant Soren himself to hold a conversation with them. Furthermore, they require the presence of at least two media representatives during the dialogue to ensure the entire conversation is public and transparent. The government's position also indicates the possibility of holding talks in a public place.

Student demands: meeting with the Chief Minister in an open venue

One of the demonstrators stated: 'At our meeting last night, it was decided that we would go to negotiations with the government, although the time has not yet been determined. But we have one more demand. If the Chief Minister is willing to have a live meeting with us in an open area, in front of the media, then a concrete decision can be reached.' He added: 'We say this because in past actions of some of our comrades, they were taken to negotiations in a closed room, but no concrete result came out. We feel that they are trying to repeat the same attempt now. The government is calling a five-member delegation, but this looks like an attempt only to postpone or end the movement.'

The demonstrator emphasized: 'We do not want this. Our only demand is that if the Chief Minister wants to talk, he appears in an open area. We will accept that. Let him say whatever he wants in front of the cameras. If his proposal suits us, we will agree, and if not—we will not.'

Serious action by CID: arrest of five suspects

For its part, the Jharkhand CID, investigating the alleged irregularities in the JPSC exam, has taken significant steps by arresting five accused individuals. This operation was conducted in cooperation with the police from Ranchi and Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. The arrested individuals are Umakant Uranw, Roshan Kerketatta, Manoj Kumar, Rakshak Singh, and Dharmendra Kumar. According to CID information, Umakant Uranw is accused of fraud and misuse of undue means in taking the 14th preliminary JPSC exam, as well as acting as an agent providing these opportunities to other candidates. Roshan Kerketatta and Manoj Kumar are also accused of successfully passing the exam using undue means. Rakshak Singh, arrested from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, works as an accountant at TDPL, the company conducting the JPSC exam. The investigative agency claims that he also used fraudulent methods and undue means in the exam. Dharmendra Kumar was also detained in this case. The CID is currently questioning all the accused and is working to verify the entire network.

Two brothers in Ranchi have expressed their indignation, pointing out that the salary for SDO-BDO positions has reached 1.30 crore rupees, and they have called on the government to publish an official list of salaries.

The younger man, aged 19, mentioning his older brother who is 32, noted that they are both preparing for the same JPSC exam. This situation goes beyond the story of two brothers and reflects the general picture of the system in Jharkhand, where fraud and leakage of examination materials have placed the dreams of two generations of youth on the same study bench.

During a conversation with a journalist, the case study of these two brothers was presented, which causes great concern.

When the reporter asked the older brother, whose age exceeds thirty, about his age, he replied that he is 32 years old. Subsequent questions revealed the ruthlessness of the system. When the reporter asked about the younger brother's age, he replied that he is only 19 years old. When asked how many years they have been taking the same exam (JPSC), the older brother stated that he has been preparing for 8 years and has already made 8 attempts.

This is an example where the 32-year-old older brother, having spent the best eight years of his youth on books and uncertainty regarding JPSC, is forced to compete for one spot with his 19-year-old younger brother in the same examination hall.

Despite the 32-year-old candidate failing to clear the selection after eight attempts, his anger towards the system is evident. He claims that those who had money were able to get the positions by paying for them and bypassed others. He stated that under the current government administration, this situation has become the norm. As soon as a recruitment notification appears, the 'rate' for each position becomes known to the entire market. Those who have money pay according to this rate.

This candidate, facing corruption and low scores, sharply questioned the government. He noted that after the latest JPSC notification, the market rate for the SDO position is set at 1.30 crore rupees and 1.30 crore rupees for the BDO/CO position. He insists that if recruitments proceed this way, the government must officially publish the list of rates along with the notification so that everyone knows how much needs to be paid for a particular position.

Against the backdrop of constant accusations of fraud and corruption in the JPSC and JSSC exams in Jharkhand, this case serves as convincing evidence that the exams not only waste time but also permanently plunge the future of families into darkness. The young man, aged 19, who should have been looking for new horizons after college, finds himself in the same atmosphere of disappointment, watching his 32-year-old brother fail eight times. The question remains open: will there be any future for these young people who study hard in the face of an alleged 'rate' of 1.30 crore?