Jharkhand Student Protests Continue Ahead of Talks with Government

Student protests over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand's public service and staff selection commission exams escalated on Sunday, August 16, 2026, as demonstrators burned effigies of political leaders and threatened to besiege the Chief Minister's residence, even as the state government invited them for a fresh round of talks. The agitation, organized by the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch, entered its 23rd consecutive day in Ranchi, with protesters marching from the Jaipal Singh Stadium to Albert Ekka Chowk, where they set fire to effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.

The protesters raised slogans against the state government, demanding the cancellation of the JSSC CGL exam and a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into widespread accusations of scams and corruption in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission. The demonstration followed a government invitation for talks scheduled for Monday, August 17, at 2 PM at the State Guest House in Ranchi. Officials from the Sub-Divisional Officer and Additional District Magistrate offices informed...