Jharkhand exam row: JPSC-JSSC aspirants intensify protest on day 19; Medical team visit site for checkup

RANCHI: The JPSC-JSSC aspirants intensified their agitation at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium over exam irregularities in Ranchi, as the protest across Jharkhand entered its 19th day on Wednesday. Following reports of declining health among students, a medical team reached the protest site to conduct checkups.

S K Jha from Sadar Hospital stated that all protesters are currently stable, noting that health parameters, including blood pressure and oxygen levels, are normal for most students. He added that basic medical care is being provided to those feeling slightly unwell.

“… We checked the students this morning. All the candidates we examined are currently in a stable condition. There are no fresh complaints, and all parameters, including blood pressure and oxygen levels, are normal… Those who are feeling slightly unwell are being monitored and given medicines and basic medical care…” said S K Jha.

#WATCH | Ranchi, Jharkhand: Morning visuals from the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium after JPSC-JSSC aspirants’ staged a day-long protest outside the State Assembly on 10th August. pic.twitter.com/k12q5ufNH3

— ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2026

Meanwhile, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday accused the BJP of disrupting the functioning of the state Assembly and said the government was making every effort to address issues concerning the future of the youth, amid the ongoing protest over alleged irregularities in JPSC-JSSC examinations.

The Jharkhand Assembly was adjourned sine die a day ahead of its scheduled conclusion, with the Opposition pressing for a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

#WATCH | Ranchi, Jharkhand: On the ongoing students’ protest, student leader Ravindra Paswan says, “Today is the 19th day of our protest. This will continue until the government accepts our demands… I would like to appeal to the Chief Minister: we, the students, wish to engage… pic.twitter.com/IpuHEB6OpG

— ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2026

Speaking after the House was adjourned, Soren said, “We made every effort to ensure the House functioned. You witnessed currency notes being tossed and displayed in the House. Notes that are the very basis of their (BJP) presence here and the foundation of their politics… The determination with which the state government is acting regarding the future of the youth is evident to you all.”

“Meanwhile, policies formulated by the central government are causing millions of students to lose their employment and jobs; small, medium, and large establishments are shutting down. So, where will employment come from?… However, you will observe that in all these examinations, between 75% and 100% of the selected candidates are indigenous to this region… It is no secret that during the BJP’s tenure, people from other states have secured employment here on a large scale,” he claimed.

Reacting to the development, Jharkhand Leader of Opposition (LoP) Babulal Marandi accused the JMM-led government of deliberately evading questions and “running away” from student-related issues.

“Assembly Speaker asked the CM if he wants to say something. We were all awaiting him to speak, whether he was recommending a CBI investigation (into JPSC-JSSC alleged irregularities). But he kept diverting attention. So, our MLAs started opposing it…We felt that there was no meaning to such a speech, that we were not there for that. He should have spoken about a solution…It seemed that the Govt had decided to get the Assembly adjourned sine die today. So, they are running away from the questions by the public and students,” Marandi said.

Marandi further accused the Chief Minister of shielding officials. “He is deliberately suppressing the matter because it seems he is trying to shield big names. L. Khiangte resigned, but who is the chairman in JSSC? Prashant Kumar. All the irregularities occurred during his tenure. When will he resign? When will he be arrested? Hemant Soren should tell us this. You have put such corrupt people in position, and then you say that you would do good work. How is this possible?… People in power are also involved somewhere…Hemant Soren cannot protect himself by making speeches. If not today, an investigation will be done tomorrow, and those who wrongfully acquired jobs would lose their jobs, and those who shielded them would also be punished,” he asserted.

The ongoing agitation continues to be fueled by the students, who have gathered from all 24 districts of the state and are demanding the cancellation of the JSSC CGL examination and a high-level CBI inquiry into recurring paper leaks. (ANI)