Students protesting over alleged irregularities in the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission Preliminary Examination have formed an 11-member delegation for talks with the state government. The team includes eight students, one lawyer and two technical experts. Its formation came a day after the Jharkhand government reached out to the protesters and expressed its willingness to hold discussions.

The students have been demonstrating at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi for the past 13 days. Their agitation began after the results of the JPSC preliminary examination were announced last month. The protesters are organised under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, which has been leading the campaign and presenting the candidates’ concerns to the authorities.

The protesters have alleged large-scale irregularities in the examination process and raised questions about the involvement of a third-party company. The examination was conducted with the participation of TSR Data Processing Private Limited, also known as TDPL. The students have demanded greater transparency regarding the company’s role and the procedures followed during the examination and evaluation process.

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Among their principal demands are the cancellation of the preliminary examination and an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation. The students are also seeking a comprehensive overhaul of Jharkhand’s recruitment examination system. They argue that wider reforms are necessary to improve transparency, accountability and confidence among candidates appearing for competitive examinations conducted in the state.

Student leader Devendra Mahato intensified the agitation by beginning a hunger strike five days ago. His protest added pressure on the Hemant Soren-led government to engage directly with the candidates. The students have also demanded that any negotiations with the government be conducted transparently and recorded on camera so that the proceedings and commitments made during the meeting remain publicly verifiable.

The proposed discussions are expected to focus on the allegations surrounding the examination, the demand for an independent investigation and possible reforms to the recruitment process. The inclusion of a lawyer and technical experts in the delegation indicates that the protesters intend to present both legal and procedural arguments. Further developments will depend on the government’s response and the outcome of its talks with the representatives.

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