Dozens of students and job aspirants have been protesting since July 25, 2026, at a stadium in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, demanding a comprehensive overhaul of the state's government examination system. Some protesters have been sleeping outdoors, and several have initiated hunger strikes.

The movement follows weeks after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests in Delhi, which addressed examination paper leaks. The CJP, an independent youth movement behind those demonstrations, has announced its support for the Jharkhand protests.

A 27-year-old protester from a farming family in Bokaro, who has spent years preparing for Jharkhand's civil service examination in hopes of securing a government job, stated, "We will not leave until we get it, even if it costs us our lives."

Officials have acknowledged longstanding issues with recruitment. It was noted that the examination has been advertised only three times since Jharkhand's creation in 2000, despite hundreds of vacant posts.

Deepika Pandey Singh, a minister in the Jharkhand government, told the BBC that investigations into the allegations began even before the current protests. Many protesters emphasize that the movement remains independent and are cautious about political parties claiming it, although politicians are welcome to support their cause.

Sources