Live: Jharkhand Student Protests: Govt Calls Fresh Talks Amid Political Tactics Allegations

On Sunday (August 9, 2026), Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren stated that the ongoing student movement must not be turned into a political issue. He cautioned individuals with political motives against misleading young aspirants, while reiterating that severe action will be taken against anyone found responsible for irregularities in examinations.

Renowned actor-singer Piyush Mishra joined the government job seekers protesting under the JPSC-JSSC reform manch banner for a second straight day on Sunday (August 9) as they continued their hunger strike. WhatsApp Image 2026-08-09 at 2.44.29 PM.jpeg Photo credit: Suruchi Kumari

The hour-long meeting between a seven-member representative group from the JPSC-JSSC reform manch and the state government panel ended on Sunday (August 9). The delegation will brief the media during a press conference scheduled for 3 p.m. This student delegation features Ravindra Paswan, Piyush, Ravindra Ravi, Pankaj Saha, Rajesh Prasad, Shashank, and Anand. An earlier discussion session conducted late Friday (August 7) had ended without any breakthrough agreement. Protest leaders revealed that job seekers from various districts, such as Hazaribagh, Palamu, and Latehar, have begun arriving to participate in the planned Sansad Gherao demonstration set for Monday (August 10).

Discussions between a seven-member delegation of the JPSC-JSSC reform manch and the Jharkhand government's committee ended after one hour on Sunday. The student leaders are scheduled to hold a press conference at 3 p.m. The reform panel delegation comprises Ravindra Paswan, Piyush, Ravindra Ravi, Pankaj Saha, Rajesh Prasad, Shashank, and Anand. An earlier session of negotiations conducted on Friday (August 7) night ended without any consensus. Protest leaders stated that candidates from various districts, including Hazaribagh, Palamu, and Latehar, have begun gathering to participate in the assembly march planned for Monday (August 10).

Demonstrating students across Jharkhand are resorting to creative methods—including mock job "rate cards," satirical placards, and recitations from the Mahabharata—to voice their frustration over irregularities in state recruitment exams.

Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Jharkhand BJP President and MP Aditya Sahu, along with chief whip Naveen Jaiswal, visited the demonstrating students at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium on Sunday (August 9, 2026) morning. Criticizing the administration, Seth remarked that the Chief Minister should have engaged with the aspirants on day one of the protest instead of staying silent. He claimed the state government was utilizing colonial divide-and-rule tactics by inviting separate groups for talks. Seth added that further discussions were unnecessary as the candidates' demands were clear: cancelling the exam and initiating a probe through the CBI.

The health condition of student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on an indefinite fast at Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Stadium for nearly a week, deteriorated sharply around 3 a.m. on Saturday (August 8). Attending doctors recorded his blood sugar level at 53. Amid the ongoing agitation over recruitment exam irregularities and the declining health of the fasting leader, the Jharkhand administration is planning fresh negotiations with the protest representatives.

The protesting candidates are also calling for the suspension of Finance Department section officer and whistleblower Santosh Kumar Mastana to be revoked, along with the withdrawal of all cases filed against him. The Jharkhand CID arrested Mastana in October 2025 for allegedly disseminating misinformation regarding a paper leak in the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Exam conducted in September 2024. He was granted regular bail by the Jharkhand High Court earlier this year.

Protesters under the JPSC-JSSC umbrella are seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and strict measures against those involved in competitive recruitment test malpractices, including the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Civil Services and the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examinations. Primary demands of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch include making the investigation report public and taking legal action against the perpetrators. Additionally, aspirants want the Preliminary Test of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination annulled and a thorough audit of exams conducted through private agencies, including TSR Data Processing Private Limited.

A new phase of negotiations commenced on Sunday, August 9, between state officials and students raising voices against discrepancies in competitive exams. Taking place at the Ranchi state guest house, this sixth meeting coincides with the 16th day of the agitation, during which six protesters are continuing an indefinite fast. A representative of the students expressed optimism regarding a favorable resolution concerning their key demand to scrap the 14th Jharkhand PSC Civil Services Examination, alongside structural reforms in both the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

In a show of support for candidates demonstrating against discrepancies in tests held by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) legislator Jairam Mahto held a one-day fast in Ranchi on Sunday (August 9).

Candidates started assembling at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi starting July 23. They carried mattresses, exercise books, and plastic files packed with test hall tickets from exams that had shaped almost ten years of their lives. Their expectations were plain: scrap every test clouded by graft accusations, commission an impartial probe through the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and thoroughly restructure the recruitment framework of the state.

JD(U) National Spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad stated on Sunday (August 9) that the agitation being carried out in Ranchi by JPSC and JSSC candidates has evolved into a public movement. He highlighted escalating discontent among youth and students regarding how competitive exams and job hiring processes are administered in Jharkhand.

With the determined demonstration by JPSC-JSSC applicants persisting at Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, a medical unit examined the physical condition of the hunger strikers on Sunday (August 9). Dr. AP Sinha informed ANI that the fasting candidates refused to be admitted to a hospital, even though they had lost body weight. He added that they are currently conscious, stable, and doing well.

A medical team from Sadar Hospital in Ranchi visited the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to assess the health condition of JPSC-JSSC candidates currently on a hunger strike.

Amid persistent demonstrations regarding recruitment exam irregularities in Jharkhand, student representative Ravindra Paswan claimed the state administration is attempting to fragment their movement and warned of a major 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' rally on August 10 if their demands are ignored. "What we observed from the government side today has left us severely disappointed. Look at the game the administration is playing: today, they accepted memoranda from around 6-7 other bodies. Why are they taking this path? What is their intent?" he questioned. Challenging the administration's decision to accept a submission from the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of Congress, Paswan added, "Why are they taking documents from NSUI? NSUI is the Congress student wing. What demands would they even present? Why are they not on the streets protesting against the administration?" "The state is playing games, trying to split this movement into 2-3 separate groups," he alleged.

Regarding negotiations with the administration, protesting candidate Prem Nayak stated, "We were invited at 12 noon today by officials. However, the government intends to pacify us like children using lollipops and biscuits... We demand that the Chief Minister engage in direct talks with us and enforce strict measures. What objection does he have to that?... Let us see what unfolds today after our delegation goes for the meeting."

The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, a prominent student outfit spearheading the demonstrations in Jharkhand against suspected exam discrepancies, accused the state leadership of "political manoeuvring" by scheduling another round of discussions with protesters. The group claimed that despite presenting every point before authorities during a Friday night interaction, the panel chose to invite Congress and JMM-linked student groups on Saturday—who had no part in the agitation—and accepted their representation. "This is political manoeuvring by the administration. It is attempting to create divisions among students and divert public attention. However, they should realize that all students are united," stated Ravindra Paswan, a leader of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch.

As rain persisted over Ranchi on Saturday (August 8, 2026), the student movement at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium crossed into its 15th day without signs of stepping back. A seven-member team representing the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) met with the official panel, holding the demands that have kept hundreds of aspirants protesting since July 25, though no immediate resolution was reached. Click below to read further details: Demonstrations in Jharkhand enter day 15 as the administration invites JLKM representatives for discussions regarding demands for inquiries into recruitment exam discrepancies.