The agitation over the alleged irregularities in the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Civil Services Examination intensified in Ranchi on Tuesday as five more students joined an indefinite hunger strike. The protesting students are demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the examination process along with action on their other pending demands. The protest has now entered its 10th day and continues to gather momentum.

The hunger strike began after the students organised a Shrandhanjali March at Jaipal Singh Stadium to pay tribute to Dishom Guru Shibu Soren on his first death anniversary. Following the march, five students sat on an indefinite fast to press the state government to act on their demands.

The protesters have made it clear that they will continue to intensify their movement until the government announces a CBI investigation into the alleged examination irregularities. They also plan to increase the number of students participating in the hunger strike with each passing day.

Ravindra Kumar Paswan, spokesperson of the protest, said, “The hunger strike started with five students today, and the number will increase by five every day until the state government orders a CBI probe into the matter.”

The students' hunger strike started a day after Devendranath Mahto, a leader of the Jharkhand Krantikari Loktantrik Morcha (JKLM), launched his own hunger strike at the same venue in support of the same demands. His protest has added political attention to the ongoing agitation, although many students have stressed that their movement remains independent.

Apart from the hunger strike, the protesting students have also announced a series of marches to increase pressure on the state government. They are preparing to organise a Vidhan Sabha March and have urged authorities to address their demands without further delay.

Different groups have announced separate protest programmes over the coming days. JKLM has scheduled its Vidhan Sabha March for August 6. The All India Students' Association (AISA), along with several people's organisations, will hold its march on August 7. A separate march by common students has been planned for August 10. The organisers said these students are not affiliated with any political party and do not want political interference in their movement.

The agitation has also drawn support from leaders outside Jharkhand. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed solidarity with the protesting students through a post on X. He said he understood their concerns after interacting with JSSC-CGL aspirants during the Jharkhand Assembly elections.

Sarma wrote, “During the Jharkhand Assembly elections, I had the opportunity to closely witness the pain, anger, and concerns of JSSC-CGL aspirants regarding the recruitment process. I can well understand the feelings of the students protesting today for their future and for justice.”

He also criticised the state government over its handling of the issue. In another part of his X message, Sarma said, “If the JMM-Congress-RJD Jharkhand government had acted with sensitivity and transparency regarding the students’ complaints in a timely manner, the situation would not have reached this point. Unfortunately, allegations of irregularities and paper leaks have continued to mount, and today the future of lakhs of youth is in crisis.”

The students continue to demand a fair investigation into the alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination. They have maintained that only a CBI probe will restore confidence among aspirants and ensure accountability. With more students expected to join the hunger strike in the coming days and multiple protest marches already announced, the agitation is likely to continue unless the state government responds to their demands.