Live: Jharkhand Student Agitation Reaches 15th Day, State Administration Calls Second Faction for Dialogue

A chosen group of demonstrating students in Jharkhand departed for the Circuit House to negotiate with representatives from the state government over the job aspirants' demands. Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto stated that the team informed them about attending a discussion at the Circuit House starting at 10 am. He added that had the authorities accepted their grievances during earlier interactions with other students, this additional meeting would not have been required. He emphasized that regardless of who goes to talk, all candidates share identical demands that must be accepted.

Chandan Kumar, representing the student delegation, demanded the prompt annulment of every competitive examination administered by the TDPL firm for JPSC starting from 2022. He further pointed out that Abhay Tiwari, former marketing manager at TDPL, took part as a candidate in multiple tests, such as JSSC CGL and PGT, insisting that those exams must be invalidated as well.

The Jharkhand State Crime Investigation Department (CID), which is investigating suspected malpractices in government competitive tests, has issued notices to three current members of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC). The officials—Ajita Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda, and Jamal Ahmed—have been directed to present themselves before investigators on August 10, 12, and 14, respectively. A major element of the probe centers around how TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL), the firm responsible for managing the test, was chosen and enlisted despite its prior blacklisting.

Jivan Kumar Yadav, speaking for the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch, stated that if the government offers another invitation for discussions today, their representatives will attend. He reiterated plans to hold a demonstration and encircle the State Assembly on August 10, adding that candidates across the state will be asked to join. He noted that their core committee will gather soon to lock in the day's schedule before sharing details publicly.

Student activist Kush Mahto stated, “We have chosen 10 representatives, likely five from each faction. The discussions will proceed under Devendra Mahto's guidance... Should our grievances remain unaddressed, our hunger strike will go on. Although our physical strength is waning each passing day, our spirits remain unyielding... If Hemant Soren fails to meet our expectations this time, students across Jharkhand will join this hunger strike.”

On July 23, students began assembling at Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. They arrived carrying bedding, notebooks, and plastic covers filled with admit cards from tests that, for many, represented nearly ten years of their lives. Their demand was explicit: scrap all competitive tests tainted by graft allegations, initiate an independent probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and thoroughly reform the state's hiring framework.

A delegation of ministers from the Jharkhand state cabinet met on Friday (August 7, 2026) in Ranchi with protesting students who are demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into alleged irregularities in competitive recruitment exams. Despite lasting for two hours, the initial meeting produced no agreement, as the students stood firm on maintaining their agitation.

A seven-member delegation representing another faction led by the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) is set to meet the official committee constituted by the administration regarding alleged malpractices in state recruitment examinations on Saturday (August 8, 2026).