Hundreds of frustrated job seekers have gathered in Ranchi, the capital of India's Jharkhand state, demanding an overhaul of the government examination system. The protests, which began on July 25, have seen participants sleeping in the open and some going on a hunger strike. The immediate cause of the unrest is the preliminary civil service examination held in April, with results announced in July sparking allegations of manipulation.
Protesters claim that leaked answer sheets shared on social media showed successful applicants had answered far fewer questions than expected, fueling suspicions of compromised results. They are demanding that the examination be scrapped and held again, and that the case be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). "We want justice. We will not leave until we get it, even if it costs us our lives," said Umme Habiba, a 27-year-old protester from Bokaro who has participated in the exam three times.
The Jharkhand Public Service Commission has postponed the next stage of the examination amid the controversy. Its chairman, L. Khiangte, resigned on July 22 and has been questioned as part of the ongoing investigation by Jharkhand's Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Investigators are also examining the role of a private company that conducted parts of the examination process after candidates raised concerns about its selection.
Deepika Pandey Singh, a minister in the Jharkhand government, stated that the state had initiated an investigation into the allegations before the current protests began. She urged protesters to allow the CID to complete its work rather than insisting on a CBI inquiry. "We want a fair investigation," Singh said, adding that any individual found responsible, regardless of their position, would face action. The government also indicated a willingness to discuss the protesters' demand to cancel the April exam directly with them.
This agitation follows similar protests in Delhi weeks prior, where thousands of young Indians demonstrated over examination paper leaks. The Jharkhand protests highlight ongoing concerns among young job seekers regarding the integrity and fairness of recruitment processes in the country.