‘We Want Justice’: Hundreds Camp In Ranchi After Alleged Civil Service Exam Fraud

Hundreds of civil service aspirants have been camped at a stadium in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, since 25 July, demanding a re-run of an April preliminary examination and a transparent investigation into alleged result manipulation.

Umme Habiba says young people in Jharkhand are fed up with the discrepancies in the state's examination system [Sartaj Alam]

Protests, Hunger Strikes And Personal Cost

Many protesters have been sleeping outdoors and several have launched hunger strikes to press their demands. Among them is 27-year-old Umme Habiba from Bokaro, who has sat the state civil service exam three times and says she and others will not leave "until we get it, even if it costs us our lives." Another protester, 28-year-old Savita Kumari, said she stayed up until midnight for results only to find her name missing and believes the exam was manipulated.

Protesters have been pouring in since 25 July - and have refused to leave [Sartaj Alam]

What Sparked The Outrage

The immediate trigger was the preliminary civil service test held in April. When results were released in July, answer sheets shared on social media appeared to show some successful candidates with far fewer answers completed than expected, prompting allegations that results were altered. Candidates have demanded the April exam be cancelled and re-run, and have urged that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) take over the probe.

Devendra Nath Mahto is widely seen as the face of the protests [Sartaj Alam]

Official Response And Ongoing Inquiries

Jharkhand's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has opened inquiries. The Jharkhand Public Service Commission postponed the next stage of recruitment, and its chairman, L. Khiangte, resigned on 22 July and has been questioned by investigators. Officials have also scrutinised a private company that handled parts of the exam process after candidates raised questions about how it was selected. The CID has sought answer sheets from successful candidates and carried out raids at commission offices and other locations.

"We want a fair investigation," said state minister Deepika Pandey Singh, urging protesters to allow the CID to complete its work and promising action against anyone found responsible, "whether a bureaucrat, employee, middleman or a big politician."

Politics And Grassroots Support

The encampment has drawn support from youth groups and political parties alike. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which organised large youth-led protests in Delhi over exam leaks, has pledged solidarity. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), now in opposition in Jharkhand, and the Congress party have publicly backed demonstrators at different times. Protest leaders, however, insist the movement remains student- and candidate-led and have asked political supporters to refrain from imposing party agendas.

Broader Stakes And Next Steps

In India, government jobs are widely prized for their stability, status and route into the middle class, so delayed recruitment and alleged irregularities carry serious consequences for aspirants and their families. Protesters are calling for systemic reform: regular, transparent examinations, timely recruitment and accountability for alleged corruption. The state government has proposed talks and protesters appointed an 11-member delegation, but formal negotiations had not taken place by Friday. For now, the encampment remains in place as demonstrators wait for credible action and answers.

Note: All facts in this report are based on candidate statements, official responses and ongoing investigations as of the latest updates.