Students leader Devendra Nath Mahto during an indefinite hunger strike in support of several students during their protest against JPSC-JSSC-CGL paper leak issues, in Ranchi on Friday, August 8, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The agitation over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations, under the JPSS-JSCC Reform Manch entered its 15th day on Saturday (August 8, 2026) after talks between the State government and the student protesters failed to break the deadlock.
The seven-member delegation of another group headed by Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) will meet the committee formed by the government on Saturday (August 8, 2026). JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike for seven days, is scheduled for talks with the government and had submitted the names of an eight-member delegation.
A delegation of the Jharkhand Government comprising Ministers on Friday (August 7, 2026) held talks for the first time in State capital Ranchi with student protestors demanding an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into alleged irregularities in competitive exams. The two hour-long meeting, though, ended without any agreement with the students firm on continuing their protests.
After the meeting, student leader Ravindra Paswan said: “It was the first round of meeting with the government and the government listened to our demands. However, we could not reach any conclusion regarding our key demands. Therefore, the protest will continue for the time being.”
On the other hand, Education Minister Sudivya Kumar said, “The talks with the students took place in a positive atmosphere. All their points were heard and understood seriously, and the government will consider their demands before deciding on the next course of action.”
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Hemant Soren told media persons that the government was ready for talks concerning the demands of the protesting students as hundreds have gathered at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium over the last two weeks.
The students are demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) exam and an independent probe into the alleged irregularities either by the CBI or by a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state, besides comprehensive reforms in the JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
The agitation, which began on July 25 under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, has grown into one of Jharkhand’s largest student-led movements in recent years.
(With inputs from PTI)
Published – August 08, 2026 10:18 am IST
