Calling for stringent laws and reforms to monitor the examinations, Devendra Mahto, who broke his 16-day hunger strike, said: “A CBI or CID inquiry cannot give justice to the students. We are demanding a guarantee of a leak-proof examination system and transparency in the future. I have a blueprint to achieve this, which I will share with the government. 14 exams have been cancelled; this is a historic win,” he said.

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Student leader Devendra Mahto, addressing a press conference on the JPSC-JSSC row, said the examination cancellation is a “historic victory” for the students’ movement.

“All our demands regarding cancellation of the examinations, including the JSSC-CGL and all examinations conducted by TDPL, have been accepted,” he said.

Addressing a press conference, Jharkhand Leader of Opposition (LoP) and BJP leader Babulal Marandi said the party’s stand is to push for a CBI probe into the exam irregularities matter.

“It is not just a matter of irregularities. I would say that jobs were actually being sold by both the JSSC and the JPSC. Gradually, evidence of this is coming out in newspapers, social media, print media, and electronic media. Reports are emerging every day showing how irregularities took place and how jobs were allegedly sold, compromising the rights of the children of Jharkhand,’ he said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hailed the “understanding” reached between protesting students and the Jharkhand government, saying it was the “right way” as Chief Minister Hemant Soren chose dialogue while the students exercised restraint and got their demands accepted.

Mr. Gandhi also vowed to change the system across the country to establish a framework that propels students forward rather than holds them back.

Student leader Devendra Mahto, who broke his 16-day hunger strike, addressed the media after the cancellation of JSSC-CGL examination. “There has to be an end to these paper leaks. There’s barely ever any justice to students affected by the leaks,” he said.

Jharkhand Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar said the successful Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) candidates could seek legal recourse, and JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey acknowledged their anguish, saying the party was sympathetic to them.

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“Tell us our crime. Don’t throw us out.” The plea of successful candidates outside the Jharkhand Secretariat on Tuesday captured the anguish of around 2,000 people who fear the state government’s decision to cancel the JSSC-CGL exam would cost them their jobs.

These candidates, who are now government employees, say they are not opposed to an investigation into the alleged irregularities but demand a fair opportunity to defend themselves. Both the protesting aspirants and successful candidates of JSSC-CGL exam now demand a CBI probe.

Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar said the successful candidates could seek legal recourse, and JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey acknowledged their anguish, saying the party was sympathetic to them.

However, the assurance that fresh vacancies would provide opportunities to deserving candidates did little to ease their uncertainty, many of whom have crossed the age limit.

Some threatened a hunger strike and further legal action.

The protests primarily began over demands of a CBI investigation, the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Test, and a review of exams conducted by agencies such as TSR Data Processing Private Lid.

They also sought a ‘not attempted’ option as the fifth choice on OMR sheets, rectification of irregularities and paper leaks in recruitment exams, strict action against those responsible and comprehensive reforms within the JPSC and JSSC.

RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha, lauding the Jharkhand government, said that it has listed to the students’ voices with “great sensitivity”.

“The Jharkhand government did not fire pellet guns at students nor did it use nail-studded lathis against them. The students had certain long-standing demands, which the government has promised to fulfill. There is a message for all governments—including the central government—that you cannot simply evade the issue by branding students as ‘anti-nationals’ or ‘Dimagi Naxals’....,” he said.

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On Jharkhand CM Heman Soren’s announcement to cancel the JSSC-CGL exam and all exams conducted by TDPL, Student leader Piyush Kumar said: “We first want to see whether the JSSC notification has actually been withdrawn. TDPL had prepared the final merit list. We also want to understand the government’s stance regarding the CDPO and FSO exams; that remains unclear. Thirdly, regarding the age cut-off—we had demanded the 2018 cut-off, but the government’s position on this is not clear. What is the government’s stance on a CBI inquiry? We have some doubts regarding the government’s position on that. So, the agitation will continue until a consensus is reached on all these matters.”

Morning visuals from Jaipal Munda Stadium as protesters continue hunger strike, pressing for a CBI probe into alleged State exam irregularities. After Devendra Mahto, two protesters, Prem Nayak and Umme Habiba, also called off their hunger strike. Three others, Rahul Kranti, Sabita Kumari and Rupesh Pal, are continuing their fast.

Jharkhand Minister Dipika Pandey Singh on Tuesday (August 18, 2026) termed the protesters’ demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into the examination irregularities as “stubbornness”, while claiming that the central agency has failed to deliver concrete results in cases related to paper leaks since 2015.

Speaking to reporters in Ranchi, Ms. Singh assured the protesters that the investigation would be impartial and that those found guilty would not be spared. “The government has always remained sensitive to the significant student movement that began in Jharkhand, specifically concerning reforms. The Chief Minister has kept a close watch on the developments in the movement. We wish to thank the agitators. The movement you conducted--peacefully and constructively, in the interest of both the State and the students--is now concluding in a highly dignified manner. The government has agreed to all your demands,” she said.

Replying to a question on the CBI probe, the Minister said, “We have accepted all the points raised; however, there must be a limit to stubbornness--demands should be such that the government can actually meet them.”

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Students protesting against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations may take a call on withdrawing the demonstration on Tuesday (August 18, 2026) after the State government cancelled all recruitment tests, including the JSSC-CGL exam, conducted by an outsourced agency since 2014. 

However, Ravindra Paswan, leader of the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch, which has been leading the protest, said the agitation would continue as their key demand of a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged examination irregularities had not been met.

The CID probing the case of alleged irregularities in the examination conducted searches at the office of the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). Sources said that the CID also questioned JSSC Secretary Sudhir Gupta. A separate team of the CID also conducted a search at Mr. Gupta’s residence in Ranchi.

The CID also arrested B.N. Ram, who served as the Personal Secretary to former Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) member Ajita Bhattacharya. Former Chairman of JPSC L. Khiangte has been sent to judicial custody following 48 hours of interrogation. He was arrested on August 10, 2026. 

Reacting to the cancellation of the examination and further action taken by the government, Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike for the past 16 days, said, “Congratulations to all the protesting students, and I also congratulate CM Hemant Soren, who listened to our demands. The most important thing is that the investigation should be conducted meticulously and every corrupt individual involved be apprehended. The masterminds behind these gangs must be caught.”

Mr. Mahto ended his hunger strike at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi in the presence of Jharkhand Ministers Dipika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari. 

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced the cancellation of the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination late on Monday (August 18, 2026), 24 days after students began the protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment exams in the State.

The decision was taken during a four-hour emergency Cabinet meeting. He also announced that all examinations conducted since 2014 by TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL), a blacklisted agency, will be cancelled. He further said a committee will be formed under senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal to suggest reforms in the conduct of examinations in the State.

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