‘Shame on Hemant Soren’: Jharkhand Students Demand CBI Probe into JPSC Exam Irregularities

Hundreds of students in Jharkhand continued their indefinite protest for the fifth consecutive day on Sunday, demanding a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the 14th Jharkhand Public Service.

Commission (JPSC) examination, the JSSC-CGL recruitment test and other state recruitment exams. The protesters, who have been staging a sit-in at a stadium in Ranchi since July 29, are seeking the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Preliminary Examination held on April 19, an independent investigation by central agencies, including the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and reforms in the state’s recruitment process.

Among their key demands is the introduction of a fifth “Not Attempted” option on OMR answer sheets, which they say would improve transparency in the examination system.

During the demonstration, students raised slogans including “Order CBI probe in JPSC”, “Long Live Students’ Unity” and “Shame on Hemant Soren”.

‘WE HAVE LOST FAITH IN CID PROBE’

JPSC aspirant Rahul Kumar Kranti alleged that recruitment examinations in the state had repeatedly been marred by irregularities.

“Paper leaks in JPSC have happened several times. This time, candidates’ OMR sheets have been leaked. Chief Minister Hemant Soren has ordered a CID probe, but we are not satisfied,” he said.

Kranti claimed that earlier investigations into the alleged JSSC-CGL paper leak had failed to deliver accountability and expressed doubts over the ongoing CID inquiry.

“We have completely lost faith in the CID investigation. We demand a CBI probe into all recruitment examinations conducted by the JPSC and JSSC over the past seven years. We also seek the chief minister’s resignation on moral grounds,” he said.

‘CAREERS OF THOUSANDS AT STAKE’

Ankit Kumar, a protester from Giridih, said the alleged irregularities had jeopardised the future of thousands of job aspirants.

“Most of us come from farming families. We only want a fair opportunity based on merit,” he said.

Sneha, a tribal student from Ranchi, called for strict action against those responsible and demanded that the April 19 JPSC examination be cancelled.

“I have been preparing for competitive examinations since 2023. If candidates are not given an equal and fair chance, how can we secure jobs? I appeal to the chief minister to listen to our demands,” she said.

Archana Kumari from Palamu said the agitation would continue until the government addressed the students’ concerns and fixed accountability for the alleged irregularities.

Shyam Bihari Gupta, a student from Latehar district, said the movement had received support from people across the country.

“The government still appears to be ignoring our concerns. People from different cities are sending food and other essentials to the protest site. We are grateful for their support,” he said.

The protesters have maintained that their agitation will continue until the government orders an independent probe, cancels the April 19 examination and introduces reforms to ensure greater transparency and fairness in future recruitment processes.