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Student aspirants marching in Ranchi demanding cancellation of exams and a CBI investigation into recruitment irregularities.

Jharkhand Student Protest: Three JPSC Members Resign as Police Use Tear Gas and Water Cannons During Assembly March

Ranchi, August 10, 2026 — The prolonged student protest in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations reached a boiling point on its 17th day. Following the resignation of all three serving members of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) on Sunday, thousands of job aspirants staged a massive rally toward the state Assembly in Ranchi on Monday. Security forces deployed water cannons, tear gas, and lathis to prevent demonstrators from breaking through barricades near the Vidhan Sabha.

The movement, centered at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, has escalated into one of the largest student agitations in Jharkhand's history, attracting political spotlight and creating significant administrative tension for the state government.

Background and Timeline of the Protest

The current unrest originated after the declaration of the 14th JPSC Preliminary Test results. Candidate groups alleged widespread anomalies, paper leaks, and compromised examination protocols. Concerns were heightened by the alleged involvement of a blacklisted private agency, TSR Data Processing Limited (TDPL), in conducting competitive tests for both JPSC and JSSC.

As of August 10, six student protesters remain on an indefinite hunger strike. The Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Jharkhand Police has arrested 19 individuals in connection with examination malpractice investigations.

The Resignations That Made Headlines

On August 9, Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar accepted the official resignations of all three remaining JPSC members: Ajeeta Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda, and Jamal Ahmad. These resignations followed formal CID questioning regarding procedural lapses and paper leaks.

Ajeeta Bhattacharya is the spouse of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Supriyo Bhattacharyya. With their departure, the entire top executive body of the JPSC has effectively vacated office within less than three weeks, leaving the state commission completely unstaffed at the board level.

What the Government Has Offered

Following marathon negotiation rounds, Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu stated that the state administration has conceded to approximately 98 percent of the demands raised by student delegations.

• Cancellation of 14th JPSC Prelims: Scrapping the controversial preliminary test completely.
• Backlog Exam Cancellations: Annulling the JPSC backlog examinations of 2023 and 2025.
• Criminal Probe via CID: Intensive investigation into criminal syndicates involved in paper leaks.
• Enforcement Directorate (ED) Referral: Requesting ED intervention into money laundering and financial transactions linked to exam leaks.
• Fast-Track Special Court: Setting up judicial mechanisms to ensure chargesheets are filed within 90 days.
• Expert Reform Committee: Constituting a high-level committee comprising representatives from IIT-ISM Dhanbad, IIM Ranchi, and XLRI Jamshedpur to restructure state recruitment processes.
• Judicial Oversight: Proposing a retired High Court judge to oversee investigations related to JSSC recruitment exams.

Why Students Are Not Satisfied

Despite official assurances, representatives from the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, including student advocate Ravindra Paswan, rejected the state government's claims. Student leaders pointed out that out of 13 disputed examination cycles, only three have been annulled.

Government officials maintain that the JSSC CGL examination cannot be cancelled unilaterally because the selection process was monitored by the High Court and Supreme Court, and selected candidates have already received appointment letters.

Devendra Nath Mahto: The Face of the Hunger Strike

Thirty-three-year-old student activist Devendra Nath Mahto, affiliated with the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM), has emerged as the central figure of the movement. Having initiated an indefinite hunger strike on August 2, Mahto has reportedly lost over 10.5 kg.

Medical personnel attending at the site warned of severe medical risks due to falling blood sugar and arterial blood pressure. On August 10, Mahto joined the march toward the Assembly while lying on a stretcher inside an ambulance, holding a portrait of veteran leader Shibu Soren.

August 10: The Day of the Assembly March

Thousands of job aspirants began moving from Ranchi's old Assembly premises toward the Vidhan Sabha complex. Ranchi district administration enforced strict security measures, deploying over 1,500 armed personnel, razor-wire fencing, and prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) within 750 meters of the legislative assembly building.

Protesters marching with the National Flag near security barricades in Ranchi during the August 10 Assembly gherao.

When crowd contingents attempted to dismantle perimeter barricades, police responded with high-pressure water cannons, tear gas shells, and baton charges. Concurrently, political leaders including former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi and BJP state president Aditya Sahu were detained while staging a solidarity demonstration outside the Chief Minister's official residence.

Political Dimension and What Lies Ahead

The protest incorporates diverse student bodies including the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch and Abhyarthi Nyay Manch. The state government's decision to conduct separate dialogues with different student factions has sparked criticism from non-partisan organizers, who view it as an attempt to fragment solidarity.

With opposition parties extending active backing, the protest presents a major administrative challenge for Chief Minister Hemant Soren's government. As of August 10 evening, the deadlock remains unresolved over the demand for a central agency (CBI) investigation.

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