Thousands joined the protest in Ranchi as heavy security was deployed, while three JPSC members resigned amid a CID probe into alleged examination irregularities
Ranchi: Thousands of job aspirants protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations marched towards the state Assembly in Ranchi on Monday, as their agitation entered its 17th day.
The protesters began the march from outside the old Assembly complex in Dhurwa and sought to reach the new Vidhan Sabha building. Carrying the Tricolour and placards, they raised slogans demanding reforms in the state’s recruitment examination system.
JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a nine-day hunger strike over the issue, also joined the march in an ambulance despite reportedly losing 10.5 kg. He was seen carrying a portrait of former chief minister Shibu Soren.
Authorities imposed prohibitory orders around the Assembly and deployed heavy security along the nearly four-kilometre route. More than 1,500 personnel from the Rapid Action Force, Indian Reserve Battalion, district police and Quick Reaction Teams were deployed, while senior officers monitored the situation.
Amid the ongoing protest, three serving members of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) resigned from their posts. Dr Ajita Bhattacharya, Dr Anima Hansda and Dr Jamal Ahmed have submitted their resignation letters to the Governor, according to sources.
The resignations came as the Jharkhand CID investigates alleged irregularities in JPSC recruitment examinations. The three members had reportedly been summoned for questioning on August 10, 12 and 14. The CID is examining their alleged role in decisions concerning the conduct of examinations and the selection of agencies involved in the process.
A key issue under investigation is the appointment of Lucknow-based TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL) to conduct JPSC examinations. The company was reportedly blacklisted by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) in May 2025 over alleged irregularities.
The protesters are demanding comprehensive reforms in the JPSC and JSSC, cancellation of several recruitment examinations, including the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination, and an independent investigation into the alleged irregularities. They have sought a CBI probe or an investigation by a panel of retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand.
The government has held several rounds of talks with the protesters but failed to break the deadlock. While the government claimed it had accepted 98 per cent of their demands, the protesters said only three of the 13 examinations they wanted cancelled had been agreed to be scrapped.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren, meanwhile, assured protesting aspirants that those responsible for examination irregularities would face strict action. “Samvad and not lathi-danda-bandook can solve all problems,” Soren said, stressing that dialogue was the way forward.
Soren also urged protesters not to allow the agitation to be politicised and accused vested interests of attempting to mislead Jharkhand’s youth. “Those guilty of irregularities will face strict action. We caught theft; we will deliver justice,” he said, adding that his government was committed to transparency and justice for the protesting aspirants.
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