JPSC Protest: The students' agitation against alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations, underway at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium
in Ranchi, entered its 14th day on Friday, with talks between the government and protesters hitting a deadlock over a single unresolved issue — who gets a seat at the table. The agitating students have formed an 11-member delegation to hold talks with the government to resolve the issue. While the government only wishes to negotiate with the protesters, the agitating aspirants are firm on their demand that a journalist and a lawyer also be included in the panel. "We have formed an 11-member delegation, comprising eight students, two experts and an advocate, in response to the government’s offer to hold talks in connection with the stir," said an office bearer of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch. A five-member government panel, including ministers Dipika Pandey Singh and Sudivya Kumar, is likely to interact with the protesters. Talks between the two sides continued late into the night, but no consensus could be reached on the composition of the delegation, stalling any further progress in the negotiations. A student protester on hunger strike, Gulam Hussain, said, "The Chief Minister had also initiated talks for a dialogue. But it didn't happen due to lack of coordination. It seems possible that the dialogue would happen today... If our demands are met, we will leave by today evening."
#WATCH | JPSC-JSSC aspirants' protest in Ranchi (Jharkhand) | Student leader Piyush Kumar says, "We are in a wait and watch situation. We are still waiting for the Govt to strike a dialogue with us, they will decide the date and time. We have not received any official intimation… pic.twitter.com/S73ZntdiGl
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2026
Student's Health Deteriorates, Shifted to Hospital
The protest, which began on July 25 under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, emerged as one of the biggest student-led movements in the state in recent years. Six demonstrators, including two women and Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto, have been on a hunger strike.One of the students, who was on hunger strike, was shifted from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to Sadar Hospital for treatment after his health reportedly deteriorated on Friday.
Officials Meet Agitating Aspirants
Ranchi sub-divisional officer Kumar Rajat and ADM (Law & Order) Dhananjay Kumar met the protesting students late on Thursday night. "We came here to have a conversation with our younger brothers and to see how they are doing," the SDO told reporters.
When asked if any discussion was held with the students' delegation, his reply was "no".
Student leader Ravindra Paswan said, "The SDO assured us to be positive, as the government will talk to us. But he has not given any time."
JPSC Row: What Are The Demands of Protesters
The protesters say their movement is aimed at ensuring a transparent and corruption-free recruitment process in Jharkhand. Their key demands include:
Cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination, alleging large-scale irregularities.
An independent investigation into the recruitment process, either by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or by a panel of retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand.
Structural reforms in JPSC and JSSC to ensure fair and transparent recruitment in future examinations.
The CID, probing the alleged recruitment scam, has so far arrested 19 people and former JPSC chairman L Khiangte has been questioned four times since July 28.
(With inputs from Sohan)
