Ranchi, August 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto has said the Jharkhand government’s decision to cancel all examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) and TDPL marks only the first phase of the students’ agitation, with the next focus being a law to ensure transparent and leak-proof recruitment examinations.
Mahto, who ended his 16-day hunger strike after the government accepted the protesters’ demand for action over examination irregularities, said the movement was aimed at reforming Jharkhand’s recruitment and examination system rather than securing cancellation of individual tests.
Speaking to IANS, he pointed to the cancellation of the CGL examination, noting that it had previously been cancelled on January 28, 2024, following a paper leak. He said the question paper was allegedly leaked again during the subsequent re-examination, resulting in another cancellation.
“Fourteen examinations have now been cancelled. What is the guarantee that paper leaks won’t happen again?” Mahto asked.
He said investigations into examination irregularities by various agencies had been conducted in Jharkhand since the state was formed, but students had yet to receive justice.
Mahto called for a statutory framework that would prevent paper leaks, irregularities in question-paper setting and other forms of examination malpractice. He also demanded stringent punishment for those involved and said the state Assembly should enact a law to provide such safeguards. If necessary, he added, constitutional amendments could be considered.
“We want recruitment examinations which are secure from any kind of paper leaks,” he said, describing the proposed legislation as the “second stage” of the students’ movement.
Earlier, after ending his hunger strike, Mahto thanked the government, students and supporters. He said the fast was suspended following a joint initiative involving Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari, Minister Deepika Pandey and MLA Jairam Mahto, and maintained that the demands for which the students had been protesting peacefully had been fulfilled.
The decision to cancel all examinations conducted by JSSC-CGL and TDPL was taken at a special Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday.
The announcement sparked celebrations among students protesting at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. Despite heavy rain, protesters distributed sweets, raised slogans, embraced one another and celebrated with colours and fireworks. They described the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination as a major victory after 24 days of agitation.
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