Jharkhand exam leak row: Students demand CBI probe as Hemant Soren meets Governor

Thousands of job aspirants and students in Ranchi, Jharkhand, marked the twelfth day of protests at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium over alleged irregularities, paper leaks, and delayed results in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). The demonstration split into two camps, with one group agreeing to send a five-member delegation for talks with government officials, while hunger striker Devendra Nath Mahato demanded direct dialogue with Chief Minister Hemant Soren along with an Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation. Protesters are demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, a transparent recruitment calendar, systemic examination reforms, and the cancellation of the 14th JPSC preliminary exam. Chief Minister Hemant Soren met Governor Santosh Gangwar at Raj Bhavan to discuss the situation, where the Governor stressed the necessity of a fair exam process. While JMM MP Mahua Maji noted that the CID is investigating the matter and the state remains open to student suggestions, political friction intensified as the BJP criticised Congress regarding paper leak responses.