Jharkhand protest highlights: Jharkhand SSC secretary Sudhir Gupta questioned by CID, day after JSSC-CGL cancelled

Jharkhand protest highlights: Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto ended his hunger strike in Ranchi after the government announced the cancellation of JSSC-CGL and other key recruitment examinations.

Jharkhand protest highlights: JPSC-JSSC aspirants wave the national flag as they celebrate after the Jharkhand government accepted their demands and cancelled the JSSC-CGL exam and all exams conducted by TDPL. (ANI)

Jharkhand protest highlights: The Jharkhand government on Monday announced the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and all recruitment tests conducted by outsourced agency TDPL since 2014. Chief minister Hemant Soren made the announcement after chairing a marathon Cabinet meeting at the state secretariat....Read More

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• 18 Aug 2026, 10:03:00 PM IST

  Updates to this live blog have ended.

• 18 Aug 2026, 10:02:50 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest: Key highlights today

  • The Criminal Investigation Department on Monday began conducting raids at the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission office in connection with its probe into alleged irregularities in recruitment exams.

  • Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto ended his hunger strike in Ranchi after the government announced the cancellation of the key examinations, but said the students wanted a system that could prevent paper leaks and other irregularities in the future.

  • Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday reiterated his support for students across India, saying it was “heartening” to see a consensus reached between the students and state government.

  • Three of the six protesters who were on hunger strike ended their fast, including JLKM leader Devendra Mahto, Prem Nayak and Umme Habiba. Three others – Rahul Kranti, Sabita Kumari and Rupesh Pal, are continuing their hunger strike.

  • Mahto said he would launch the second phase of protest demanding “corruption-free recruitment.”

• 18 Aug 2026, 09:01:14 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Three accused arrested in alleged JPSC irregularities case sent to five-day police remand, two others held

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Three accused arrested for alleged irregularities in JPSC – Manoj Kumar, Roshan Kerketta and Umakant Oraon – have been sent to five-day police remand, ANI news agency reported.

  Meanwhile, two other accused, Akshay Kumar Tiwari and Sushma Kumari, have been held.

• 18 Aug 2026, 08:58:26 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: ‘Had said earlier will not play politics over students,’ says Sena UBT leader

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Jharkhand Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant on Tuesday said dialogue is important in a democracy.

  “I had stated earlier that we would not play politics over the students but would stand by them. I told the protesting youth that their demands should be discussed and resolved, and that the mistakes made here should not be repeated there. Rahul Gandhi also wrote to them and listened to their concerns,” Sawant told ANI news agency.

• 18 Aug 2026, 08:42:21 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: ‘Welcome cancellation of JSSC-CGL, but state govt silent on CBI probe,’ says former CM Raghubar Das

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Former Jharkhand chief minister and BJP leader Raghubar Das on Tuesday said he “welcomed” the cancellation of JSSC-CGL and other key recruitment exams.

  “…But the government is silent on Jharkhand students' primary demand for a CBI probe into the matter; not a single paper leak occurred, nor did any such protest take place during my tenure,” he told PTI news agency.

• 18 Aug 2026, 08:34:52 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: ‘Abhar Yatra’ after JSSC-CGL cancellation postponed due to bad weather

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: An 'Abhar Yatra' dedicated to the Jharkhand government, which was scheduled to be held on Tuesday following the cancellation of the JSSC CGL and other examinations conducted by TDPL, has been postponed due to bad weather, ANI news agency reported.

  A fresh announcement regarding the date of the gratitude march is expected soon.

• 18 Aug 2026, 07:23:09 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: ‘Babulal Marandi wants to bring CJI to protect exam mafia,’ says Jharkhand minister

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Jharkhand minister Dipika Pandey Singh questioned BJP leader and state assembly LoP Babulal Marandi's demand for a CBI probe.

  “Babulal Marandi wants to bring CBI to protect examination mafia; first show results of CBI's probe into 17 paper leaks,” she told PTI news agency.

• 18 Aug 2026, 07:21:11 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: ‘We discussed commitments to students,’ Jharkhand minister after meeting Soren

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: As Jharkhand Congress leaders and ministers visited chief minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday, state minister Dipika Pandey Singh told PTI news agency, “We had a discussion on commitments to students and also an extensive discussion on opposing the MMDR Amendment Bill.”

• 18 Aug 2026, 07:07:20 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: State LoP accuses govt of 'cheating' students by cancelling exams

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Babulal Marandi, Jharkhand's Leader of Opposition, on Tuesday alleged that the Hemant Soren-led government was "cheating" the protesting students by announcing the cancellation of recruitment exams.

  "The Hemant Soren government is cheating the students by announcing the cancellation of the examination. When the government knows that the agitators want an investigation by the CBI, why is it then backing out? It is clear from this that the people in the government are also involved in selling jobs," the former CM alleged.

  "The government should make it clear why no action has been taken against the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission chairman so far," he added.

• 18 Aug 2026, 06:41:39 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: ‘Came to congratulate CM, result of Hemant Soren and Rahul Gandhi’s efforts,' says state health minister

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Jharkhand health minister Dr Irfan Ansari on Tuesday visited chief minister Hemant Soren, along with other Congress leaders.

  “We have come here to congratulate Jharkhand CM, as he has agreed to the demands of the students. This is the result of our leader Rahul Gandhi's efforts. It is a victory for the youth and a result of the efforts of Hemant Soren and Rahul Gandhi,” Ansari told PTI news agency.

• 18 Aug 2026, 06:38:36 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: State Cong leaders meet CM Soren, thank him for cabinet decisions after protest

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Jharkhand Congress leaders on Tuesday met chief minister and JMM president Hemant Soren, congratulating him on cabinet decisions taken following the protests over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, PTI news agency reported.

• 18 Aug 2026, 06:26:50 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: State's government offices hit, JSSC-CGL cancellation puts 2,000 jobs at risk

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: The Jharkhand government's decision to cancel the JSSC-Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination has put around 2,000 jobs at risk, triggering a crisis in the state administration, PTI news agency reported.

  The functioning of several departments and offices could be affected, given that many successful candidates had joined government service after December 2025 and were posted across various departments, including Finance, Home, Road Transport, Labour, Information and Public Relations, and other administrative offices.

  A large number of affected employees gathered outside the Jharkhand secretariat and other government offices, demanding that the government identify individual wrongdoers instead of cancelling the recruitment process and terminating the services of all successful candidates, according to the PTI report.

• 18 Aug 2026, 06:01:00 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: CID questions Jharkhand SSC secretary Sudhir Gupta in connection with recruitment irregularities

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: The CID on Tuesday questioned Jharkhand SSC secretary Sudhir Gupta in connection with alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, PTI news agency cited an official as saying. This came a day after the agency raided the commission's office.

  Gupta was interrogated for several hours based on the evidence collected during the raid on Monday, the official said.

• 18 Aug 2026, 05:38:28 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Bihar teacher job aspirants demand exam notification within 24 hours, threaten sit-in protest

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Aspirants in Bihar are seeking timely conduct of the fourth phase of the Teachers Recruitment Exam (TRE-4), and have demanded a notification on the same within 24 hours.

  The aspirants have threatened to “gherao the state education minister's residence for his resignation” if the notification is not released in the timeframe, PTI news agency reported.

  Research scholars and job aspirants have been protesting in Patna's Gardanibagh area over a multitude of issues, including new rules on recruitment of assistant professors and inconsistencies in the state civil services exam.

  On Tuesday, teaching job aspirants began their protest, demanding a single-tier examination in BPSC-TRE 4, strict action against those who got jobs through corrupt practices, transparency in BSSC recruitments, and action against exam mafias, PTI reported.

• 18 Aug 2026, 05:09:49 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: ‘Cong, Rahul Gandhi have consistently supported students’ cause,' says party state in-charge K Raju

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Congress leader K Raju on Tuesday said the party had always supported the cause of the students.

  “Congress and Rahul Gandhi have consistently supported the students' cause…we congratulated CM Soren on this decision,” the party's state in-charge told PTI news agency.

• 18 Aug 2026, 05:06:24 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: ‘Our team came to support students, set up langar,’ says Rajya Sabha MP Sahney

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney said his “team” had arrived in Jharkhand to support the protesting students after learning of alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.

  “We decided to support the students and set up a langar. Thousands of students gathered, and we appealed to them to remain peaceful. There were allegations of malpractice in several examinations and concerns over a private company, TDPL, being entrusted with government exams. The students' patience had run out,” Sahney told PTI news agency.

  He further highlighted that the state government had cancelled the JSSC-CGL examinations, saying the students were “happy” but were waiting for an official notification. “We also met the Governor, who said the notification should include everything that has been announced,” he said.

• 18 Aug 2026, 05:01:33 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Jharkhand LoP Marandi accuses state govt of ‘cheating students’, demands CBI probe

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly and BJP leader Babulal Marandion Tuesday alleged that the JMM-led government is "cheating agitating students" by announcing the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL and other recruitment exams.

  “The Hemant Soren government is cheating the students by announcing the cancellation of the examination. When the government knows that the agitators want an investigation by the CBI, why is it then backing out? It is clear from this that the people sitting in the government are also involved in selling jobs,” the former CM said, according to PTI news agency.

• 18 Aug 2026, 04:40:29 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: ‘Those politically hijacking Jantar Mantar protest have not said anything about Jharkhand,’ says BJP national general secretary

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh on Tuesday claimed that those who “were politically hijacking” the Jantar Mantar protests had “not said anything” about the students' agitation in Jharkhand.

  “It is unfortunate that those who were politically hijacking the student protest at Jantar Mantar, the Rahul Gandhi-Kejriwal camp, have not said anything about Jharkhand. This is the Congress' double standard. They have one set of teeth for show and another for eating,” PTI news agency cited Chugh as saying.

• 18 Aug 2026, 04:35:41 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Will launch second phase of stir for ‘corruption-free recruitment,’ says student leader Mahto

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Jharkhand student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who ended his hunger strike on Monday after the cancellation of key recruitment exams, said he would launch the second phase of protest demanding “corruption-free recruitment.”

  “I have ended my hunger strike, not the protest. The agitation will continue till the government gives a guarantee that no paper leak or irregularities will take place in recruitment examinations. We will soon launch the second phase of our protest, demanding corruption-free recruitment in JPSC and JSSC examinations,” Mahto said on Tuesday, PTI news agency reported.

• 18 Aug 2026, 04:13:18 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: ‘How can movement end until there is leak-proof exam system,’ asks student leader Mahto

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Student leader Devendra Mahto on Tuesday said the agitation in Jharkhand would not end until there was a “leak-proof exam system” in place.

  “How can the movement end until there is a leak-proof examination system,” Mahto told PTI news agency.

• 18 Aug 2026, 03:49:36 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Students displayed patience from day one, had faith in state government, says Jharkhand minister

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Jharkhand minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey on Tuesday said the students protesting in the state had “displayed patience” from the first day of the agitation, adding that the state government was “very proud” of them.

  “BJP and the Opposition tried their best to hijack the protest and influence these students. But I think students had hope because they had faith in this government for justice. The CM has proven this by his decision,” Tirkey told ANI news agency, adding that this sends a message “to the whole nation.”

  “Rahul Gandhi has also appreciated this move because he was constantly in touch with the CM, giving his suggestions and keeping a close eye on the entire matter,” Tirkey said.

• 18 Aug 2026, 03:44:04 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: We are in favour of an unbiased probe, says Jharkhand minister

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Jharkhand minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey said the state government was in favour of an unbiased probe into alleged irregularities in recruitment exams.

  “We have proven our intention that we are with the students. We are in favour of an unbiased investigation of this entire matter because it is about establishing and re-establishing faith in the constitutional bodies. We have to strengthen the entire structure; only the Mahagatbandhan government is capable of doing this,” the minister told ANI news agency.

• 18 Aug 2026, 03:42:28 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: ‘Special appeal to students to go back to studies,’ says Jharkhand minister

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Jharkhand minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey, after the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL exam, appealed to the students to “go back to studies.”

  “It's a special appeal to all the students to go back to studies and preparation for examinations,” Tirkey told ANI news agency. She added, “We are a very serious government. There is no gimmick. We have taken the decisions in a special cabinet meeting.”

• 18 Aug 2026, 03:16:16 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: BJP MP accuses Jharkhand govt of ‘cover-up’, urges CBI inquiry

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: BJP MP Dharmshila Gupta on Tuesday accused the Jharkhand government of a “cover-up”, while claiming “there is a risk students may be deceived again.”

  "…If the government truly wishes to build the students' future, and not play games with it, it should order a CBI inquiry. This is absolutely essential, Gupta told ANI news agency.

• 18 Aug 2026, 03:12:24 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Three of protesters on hunger strike end fast after JSSC-CGL cancelled

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: A day after the Jharkhand government cancelled the JSSC-CGL and other recruitment examinations conducted by TDPL, three of the six protesters who were on hunger strike ended their fast.

  This includes JLKM leader Devendra Mahto, Prem Nayak and Umme Habiba. Three others – Rahul Kranti, Sabita Kumari and Rupesh Pal, are continuing their hunger strike, PTI news agency reported citing a member of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, which has been spearheading the agitation at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi.

• 18 Aug 2026, 03:08:24 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: State govt took ‘positive approach’, every student demand accepted, says RJD's Tejashwi Yadav

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday lauded the Jharkhand government's efforts regarding dialogue with the student protesters.

  “The government there has spoken very well with the students. They have adopted a very positive approach. Every demand of the students has been accepted,” he told ANI news agency.

  Yadav criticised the governments in BJP-ruled states, claiming, “Wherever there is a BJP government, they neither talk nor do anything else. The issue of paper leaks keeps coming up continuously, due to which students remain disappointed and there is anger among the people.”

• 18 Aug 2026, 03:05:06 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: CJP spokesperson Saurav Das congratulates Jharkhand students on ‘major victory’

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Cockroach Janta Party chief spokesperson Saurav Das on Tuesday congratulated the students of Jharkhand after the state government cancelled the JSSC-CGL exams.

  “First of all, the entire CJP and the youth of the country want to congratulate the students of Jharkhand because they have achieved a major victory today and got their demands accepted by the government after so many days of protest...” PTI news agency cited Das as saying.

• 18 Aug 2026, 03:02:36 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: State govt took right step, set a ‘fine example,’ says minister

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Jharkhand minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey on Tuesday said the state government took the “right step” in cancelling the JSSC-CGL and other recruitment exams.

  “The Jharkhand government has taken the right step and set a fine example for the nation,” Tirkey told PTI news agency.

• 18 Aug 2026, 02:41:28 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: ‘Demanding guarantee of leak-proof examination system’, says student leader

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Student leader Devendra Mahto said that a CID or a CBI inquiry “cannot give justice” to the students after the state government accepted the students' demands and cancelled all recruitment tests, including the JSSC-CGL exam, conducted by an outsourced agency since 2014.

  “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 told ANI.

• 18 Aug 2026, 02:34:45 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Rahul Gandhi hails 'understanding' between govt, protesting students

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday 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.

  "An understanding has been reached between the students of Jharkhand and the state government, and the students have ended their hunger strike – it was heartening to hear this news," Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X.

  "Chief Minister Hemant Soren ji and the Jharkhand government chose the path of dialogue and arrived at a solution. The students exercised restraint and made their demands accepted," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.

• 18 Aug 2026, 02:25:50 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Devendra Mahto hails ‘historic victory’ of students' movement

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Student leader Devendra Mahto, who had been on hunger strike for 16 days over the alleged exam irregularities, ended the fast around Monday midnight.

  Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, he said, "All our demands regarding cancellation of the examinations, including the JSSC-CGL and all examinations conducted by TDPL, have been accepted. This is a historic victory for the students' movement. For this historic victory, I thank all the protesters and students who supported and stood by the movement."

• 18 Aug 2026, 02:04:28 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Rahul Gandhi says ‘heartening to hear’ dialogue between govt, students

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday reiterated his support for students across India, hailing the importance of peaceful dialogue and calling for systemic reforms to safeguard young job seekers.

  In a post on X, he said, "A consensus has been reached between the students of Jharkhand and the state government, and the students have ended their hunger strike - it was heartening to hear this news."

• 18 Aug 2026, 01:07:35 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: JSSC-CGL exam cancellation to end one protest triggers another

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: "Tell us our crime. Don't throw us out." The plea from successful candidates outside the Jharkhand Secretariat on Tuesday reflected the anxiety of around 2,000 people who fear losing their jobs after the state government decided to cancel the JSSC-CGL exam.

  The cancellation was one of the key demands of those protesting against the exam and was expected to bring the agitation to an end.

  However, the government now faces another challenge, with around 2,000 candidates who cleared the JSSC-CGL exam worried that the decision could cost them their jobs.

• 18 Aug 2026, 12:21:42 PM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Have doubts regarding Jharkhand govt's stance on CBI inquiry, says student leader

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Student leader Piyush Kumar on Tuesday questioned the Jharkhand government's stand on a CBI probe into the exam irregularities.

  “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. We stated from day one that we would not budge until the very last demand was met,” he told ANI.

  He added, “Absolutely, our protest will continue. Last night, Deepika Ma'am and Dr Irfan Ansari came to ask us to break the hunger strike, but our protesters refused to do so.”

• 18 Aug 2026, 11:43:35 AM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: 'Won't budge until all demands met', says student leader

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Student leader Piyush Kumar on Tuesday said the agitation over the JSSC-CGL and TDPL-conducted exams will continue until the Jharkhand government addresses all their demands.

  Speaking to ANI, Piyush 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."

• 18 Aug 2026, 11:20:00 AM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: RJD MP says Jharkhand ‘did not fire pellet guns at students’, backs state govt

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha told news agency ANI, “The Jharkhand government has listened 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."

  He added, "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’”.

• 18 Aug 2026, 11:02:33 AM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: BJP MP Bhola Singh says Jharkhand govt acted late

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: BJP MP Bhola Singh welcomed the Jharkhand government’s decision to cancel the JSSC-CGL exam, but said it should have acted sooner as students had been protesting for a long time.

  “It took them (Jharkhand govt) a long time to understand the demands of the students when they had been protesting for long. The government should have taken an early decision. It is good that students' demands have been accepted now," he told ANI.

• 18 Aug 2026, 10:56:52 AM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Morning visuals from Jaipal Munda Stadium where protests continue

  

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Protesters continued their hunger strike at Jaipal Munda Stadium. Protester Savita Kumari told PTI they welcomed the cancellation of the CGL exam conducted by TDPL Ltd. However, she said their main demand for a CBI probe remains unmet, along with the demand to cancel the 11th and 13th JPSC exams. She said protesters have lost faith in the CID after earlier investigations, including the 2023 JSSC CGL issue.

• 18 Aug 2026, 10:31:40 AM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Students may call off protest today

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Students protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations may decide on Tuesday whether to withdraw their demonstration after the state government cancelled all recruitment tests conducted by an outsourced agency since 2014, including the JSSC-CGL exam.

  "Today, our protest enters its 25th day. We may decide whether we continue or call the agitation off after the government's announcement," a protesting student told news agency PTI.

• 18 Aug 2026, 09:15:18 AM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Hunger strike over but a key demand remains

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: The protesters refused to go home just yet, as their demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the examination irregularities remained unheard.

  Jharkhand minister Dipika Pandey Singh termed the protesters' demand for a CBI probe as "stubbornness".

  She alleged the central agency has failed to deliver concrete results in cases related to paper leaks since 2015.

• 18 Aug 2026, 08:26:12 AM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Devendra Nath Mahto says struggle for education reforms to continue

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto ended his hunger strike in Ranchi after the government announced the cancellation of the key examinations.

  Speaking to ANI, he said they would support the government's investigation into the alleged examination irregularities. However, he added that they wanted a system that could prevent paper leaks and other irregularities in the future.

  "We, the students, will continue to support this investigation and the effort to eradicate this corrupt system at its very roots, and we will persist in our struggle regarding the ongoing reform process... If our issues are resolved and our demands met, why would we need to hold further protests? We are currently awaiting an official notice. In my life, I have seen many instances where CBI or CID investigations were ordered and then cancelled. We need a system where the government guarantees that paper leaks and irregularities will never happen again in the future; we need a guarantee of such a system... We will cooperate with the government in this endeavour, and we expect the government to continue its support in the same manner," he said.

• 18 Aug 2026, 07:58:37 AM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: CID raids Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission office over exam irregularities

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: The Criminal Investigation Department on Monday began conducting raids at the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission office in connection with its probe into alleged irregularities in recruitment exams, news agency PTI reported, quoting an officer.

  "We are conducting raids at the JSSC office in connection with alleged irregularities in various examinations," CID ADG Manoj Kaushik told PTI.

• 18 Aug 2026, 07:23:57 AM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: What CM Hemant Soren said on cancellation of JSSC-CGL, TDPL exams

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren announced on Monday that the JSSC-CGL examination and all other recruitment examinations conducted by TDPL would be cancelled.

  "There have been some startling revelations in the ongoing CID and SIT probes. After much deliberation in the cabinet, it has been decided to cancel the JSSC CGL. All other exams conducted by TDPL will also be cancelled," Soren said.

  He also directed the CID to examine alleged irregularities in all recruitment examinations conducted in the state since 2014.

• 18 Aug 2026, 05:41:32 AM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Devendra Mahto calls for stricter laws to monitor exams, prevent paper leaks

  Jharkhand student leader Devendra Nath Mahto ended his hunger strike at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi after Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and all examinations conducted by TDPL.

  Speaking to reporters, Mahto thanked CM Soren, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, and state ministers Dipika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari for accepting the aspirants' demands.

  He also called for stricter laws and reforms to strengthen the examination system and prevent paper leaks.

  "Today marks a huge victory for Jharkhand. While I am now suspending my protest, my struggle for reform will continue. I envision an education system where paper leaks and irregularities do not occur--a system that guarantees that children currently in primary or secondary school would not have to make such sacrifices or fight such battles when they eventually appear for JPSC or JSSC exams. If this requires the Legislative Assembly to enact new laws or necessitates a constitutional amendment, then so be it. Every examination must be monitored, every examination must be audited, and there must be a clear certificate for every examination and at every stage; we will continue to struggle for this," he said.

• 18 Aug 2026, 04:48:01 AM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: 'Jharkhand will set an example in tackling exam irregularities,' says minister Dipika Pandey

  State Minister Dipika Pandey on Monday assured students that the government would introduce reforms to strengthen the examination system and take strict action against those involved in paper leaks.

  "Since the first day, I have been telling you that Jharkhand will set an example; we have a model of legislation to ensure strict punishment for the culprits of paper leaks. I can confidently tell you that the reforms we will bring after consultation and taking suggestions from students will be a model for the entire nation," she said.

  "I would like to appeal to the students that through your efforts, a major issue which is not only Jharkhand-specific but is troubling students across the country today, with your efforts, we have led this movement towards a positive conclusion. We assure you that we will rectify the flaws in our system based on your suggestions, and the agencies involved will ensure that the culprits are not spared, and Jharkhand will become an example."

• 18 Aug 2026, 03:51:04 AM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Student leader Devendra Mahto says 'government has taken a monumental decision'

  After ending his hunger strike, student leader Devendra Mahto said, "While we will continue to struggle for further reforms, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Jharkhand Government, the Chief Minister, and Rahul Gandhi for the magnanimity shown today. The decision taken today was not easy—especially given that the CGL exam appointments and joining processes had already taken place and there were conflicting pleas from students claiming that their cases were genuine. Yet, by conducting an honest and impartial inquiry and finding a way forward for everyone, the government has taken a monumental decision..."

• 18 Aug 2026, 02:53:39 AM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: 'CM took historic decision in interest of youth,' says minister Irfan Ansari

  After the student leaders ended their hunger strike, Jharkhand Minister Irfan Ansari said, "The government has accepted all their demands; these were significant demands and a major issue. However, in the interest of the youth, our Chief Minister took such a historic decision. The agitation—which was in the interest of the youth—has ended."

  "We have arrived, a full medical check-up has been conducted, and they are being discharged. All three are healthy; there are no issues—their blood pressure and blood sugar levels are normal. From the information I have received, everything is fine."

• 18 Aug 2026, 01:32:09 AM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Student leader Devendra Mahto announces 'suspension of peaceful protest'

  After ending his hunger strike, Jharkhand student leader Devendra Nath Mahto said, "Today, on the 16th day of our hunger strike, we have ended our fast in a very dignified manner. Thanks to the joint initiative of Jharkhand Government Health Minister Irfan Ansari, Minister Dipika Pandey, and our MLA Jairam Mahato, the demands for which we were agitating in a constitutional and peaceful manner have been met. Consequently, we are announcing the suspension of our peaceful protest today."

• 18 Aug 2026, 12:56:18 AM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Student leader Devendra Mahto ends hunger strike

  Student leader Devendra Mahto ended his hunger strike in the presence of Jharkhand ministers Dipika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari at Sadar Hospital, following the CM’s announcement to cancel the JSSC-CGL examination and all exams conducted by TDPL.

• 18 Aug 2026, 12:32:28 AM IST

  Jharkhand protest LIVE: Student leaders Umme Habiba and Rahul Kranti end their hunger strike

  Jharkhand student leaders Umme Habiba and Rahul Kranti ended their hunger strike in the presence of state ministers Dipika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari at Sadar Hospital, following the CM’s announcement to cancel the JSSC-CGL examination and all exams conducted by TDPL.