Dozens of students and job aspirants have been protesting since July 25, 2026, at a stadium in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, demanding a complete overhaul of the state's government examination system. Some protesters have resorted to hunger strikes and sleeping outdoors as part of their agitation.

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

The examination in question has reportedly been advertised only three times since Jharkhand was established as a state in 2000, despite hundreds of government posts remaining vacant.

Deepika Pandey Singh, a minister in the Jharkhand government, told the BBC that investigations into the allegations of irregularities had begun even before the current protests started.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the independent youth movement that led recent demonstrations in Delhi over exam paper leaks, has announced its support for the Jharkhand protests. However, many protesters insist the movement remains independent and wary of political party claims. They welcome political support but emphasize the movement's autonomy.

Sources

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