Jharkhand Students Continue Protests Demanding CBI Probe Into Exam Irregularities

Hundreds of students entered the sixth day of an indefinite sit-in at Jaipal Singh Munda stadium in Ranchi on Sunday, pressing for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (The Hindu). The demonstration, which began on July 29, swelled into a torchlight procession to Albert Ekka Chowk in the evening, where participants raised slogans demanding the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Preliminary Test held on April 19 and chanting "Shame on Hemant Soren" (The Hindu).

JPSC aspirant Rahul Kumar Kranti told reporters that OMR sheets of candidates had been leaked in the 14th JPSC examination, adding that previous investigations into the JSSC-CGL paper leak had not resulted in action (The Hindu). "We have completely lost faith in the ongoing CID probe. We demand a CBI probe into all recruitment examinations conducted by the JPSC and JSSC over the past seven years. We also demand the chief minister's resignation on moral grounds," Kranti said (The Hindu). Chief Minister Hemant Soren had ordered a CID inquiry into the allegations, but protesters said they viewed the state-level investigation as insufficient and vulnerable to being "covered up" after a few months (The Hindu).

The agitation has drawn students from across Jharkhand. Ankit Kumar, who travelled from Giridih district, said most aspirants come from farmers' families and want fair opportunities based on merit (The Hindu). Sneha, a tribal student from Ranchi who has been preparing for competitive examinations since 2023, asked how she could secure a job without an equal chance and urged the chief minister to listen to their demands (The Hindu). Archana Kumari from Palamu said the protesters would continue until the government fixed accountability, while Shyam Bihari Gupta from Latehar district noted that supporters from various cities were sending food items to sustain the sit-in (The Hindu).

Beyond the core demand for a central agency investigation, the students are also seeking the introduction of a "not attempted" option in OMR sheets to prevent manipulation (The Hindu). The Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJP) announced its backing for the protest, with Abhijeet Dipke stating the organisation stands with Jharkhand students (Reddit News). As the sit-in continues, the state government has not yet responded to the demand for a CBI probe or the call for the chief minister's resignation.