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 resorted to hunger strikes and sleeping outdoors to press their demands.

The movement follows weeks after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), an independent youth group that led protests in Delhi over examination paper leaks, announced its support for the Jharkhand protests.

A 27-year-old protester from a farming family in Bokaro shared her determination, saying, "We want justice. We will not leave until we get it, even if it costs us our lives."

The protests highlight long-standing issues with Jharkhand's recruitment process. Officials noted that the relevant government examination has been advertised only three times since the state'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 had begun even before the current protests started. Many protesters emphasize that the movement remains independent and are cautious about political parties claiming it, though they welcome political support.

Sources