Paper leaks stole our future: Gold medalist joins Ranchi protest demanding recruitment reforms
A Jharkhand exam aspirant joined hundreds in Ranchi to protest alleged recruitment irregularities by JPSC and JSSC. Her account highlights the mental strain, social pressure and uncertainty faced by candidates after repeated leaks and cancellations.
"Since childhood, I've always topped my class. I was a university gold medalist in my post-graduation, completed my BEd, and dreamed of becoming a teacher. But today, I can't bear to see my own condition. The taunts from relatives, the pressure to get married, and the constant fear of exams being cancelled have pushed me into depression and panic attacks." Those words belong to Pratiksha Kumari Srivastava, a 26-year-old competitive exam aspirant from Mihijam in Jharkhand's Jamtara district.
Standing among hundreds of protesters at Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, she is one of many candidates demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
For Pratiksha, the protest is not merely about an exam, it is about years of sacrifice, shattered aspirations, and a future left hanging in uncertainty.
The eldest of three siblings, Pratiksha has spent the last several years in Ranchi preparing for government recruitment examinations. Her family, despite limited financial means, has continued to support her education by making personal sacrifices.
"Every month, there is room rent, ration expenses, books, coaching costs. At an age when I should be supporting my parents, I am still dependent on them," she says. "Whenever I visit my village, people ask why I still don't have a job. Some mock me as if all my education has been meaningless."
Despite an exceptional academic record, including topping her university and earning a gold medal—Pratiksha says repeated allegations of paper leaks and cancelled examinations have taken a devastating toll on her mental health.
"When you prepare day and night for months, and then suddenly hear that the paper has leaked or the exam has been cancelled, it feels like everything has been snatched away," she says. "I am battling depression. I often suffer panic attacks. Sometimes I feel like giving up my studies and returning home because I feel like a burden on my family."
She says her story is not unique.
"Many of my friends have stopped preparing altogether. Some have slipped into depression after years of waiting. For someone who has always excelled in academics, accepting this reality is incredibly painful."
The emotional burden, she says, is compounded by societal expectations.
"As a woman, people constantly ask when I will get married. They don't understand that I am still fighting for the career I have worked so hard to build."
Asked why she chose to join protests despite the possibility of police action, Pratiksha says candidates were left with few alternatives.
"When our voices are not heard through democratic means, the streets become the only option. My family worries about my safety because they know there is always the risk of a lathicharge, but they also understand why I am here."
For Pratiksha and the hundreds of aspirants protesting alongside her, the demands are straightforward: transparent recruitment, timely examinations, clear cut-off marks, and strict action against those responsible for alleged examination irregularities.
"We are not asking for favours," she says. "We only want a fair chance. We have studied honestly. The system should evaluate us honestly."
As the protests continue in Ranchi, Pratiksha's journey—from a university gold medalist to a young woman battling anxiety while fighting for recruitment reforms—reflects the growing frustration among thousands of aspirants who believe repeated examination controversies have cost them not only opportunities, but also years of their lives and peace of mind.
"Since childhood, I've always topped my class. I was a university gold medalist in my post-graduation, completed my BEd, and dreamed of becoming a teacher. But today, I can't bear to see my own condition. The taunts from relatives, the pressure to get married, and the constant fear of exams being cancelled have pushed me into depression and panic attacks." Those words belong to Pratiksha Kumari Srivastava, a 26-year-old competitive exam aspirant from Mihijam in Jharkhand's Jamtara district.
Standing among hundreds of protesters at Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, she is one of many candidates demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
For Pratiksha, the protest is not merely about an exam, it is about years of sacrifice, shattered aspirations, and a future left hanging in uncertainty.
The eldest of three siblings, Pratiksha has spent the last several years in Ranchi preparing for government recruitment examinations. Her family, despite limited financial means, has continued to support her education by making personal sacrifices.
"Every month, there is room rent, ration expenses, books, coaching costs. At an age when I should be supporting my parents, I am still dependent on them," she says. "Whenever I visit my village, people ask why I still don't have a job. Some mock me as if all my education has been meaningless."
Despite an exceptional academic record, including topping her university and earning a gold medal—Pratiksha says repeated allegations of paper leaks and cancelled examinations have taken a devastating toll on her mental health.
"When you prepare day and night for months, and then suddenly hear that the paper has leaked or the exam has been cancelled, it feels like everything has been snatched away," she says. "I am battling depression. I often suffer panic attacks. Sometimes I feel like giving up my studies and returning home because I feel like a burden on my family."
She says her story is not unique.
"Many of my friends have stopped preparing altogether. Some have slipped into depression after years of waiting. For someone who has always excelled in academics, accepting this reality is incredibly painful."
The emotional burden, she says, is compounded by societal expectations.
"As a woman, people constantly ask when I will get married. They don't understand that I am still fighting for the career I have worked so hard to build."
Asked why she chose to join protests despite the possibility of police action, Pratiksha says candidates were left with few alternatives.
"When our voices are not heard through democratic means, the streets become the only option. My family worries about my safety because they know there is always the risk of a lathicharge, but they also understand why I am here."
For Pratiksha and the hundreds of aspirants protesting alongside her, the demands are straightforward: transparent recruitment, timely examinations, clear cut-off marks, and strict action against those responsible for alleged examination irregularities.
"We are not asking for favours," she says. "We only want a fair chance. We have studied honestly. The system should evaluate us honestly."
As the protests continue in Ranchi, Pratiksha's journey—from a university gold medalist to a young woman battling anxiety while fighting for recruitment reforms—reflects the growing frustration among thousands of aspirants who believe repeated examination controversies have cost them not only opportunities, but also years of their lives and peace of mind.
"Since childhood, I've always topped my class. I was a university gold medalist in my post-graduation, completed my BEd, and dreamed of becoming a teacher. But today, I can't bear to see my own condition. The taunts from relatives, the pressure to get married, and the constant fear of exams being cancelled have pushed me into depression and panic attacks." Those words belong to Pratiksha Kumari Srivastava, a 26-year-old competitive exam aspirant from Mihijam in Jharkhand's Jamtara district.
Standing among hundreds of protesters at Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, she is one of many candidates demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
For Pratiksha, the protest is not merely about an exam, it is about years of sacrifice, shattered aspirations, and a future left hanging in uncertainty.
The eldest of three siblings, Pratiksha has spent the last several years in Ranchi preparing for government recruitment examinations. Her family, despite limited financial means, has continued to support her education by making personal sacrifices.
"Every month, there is room rent, ration expenses, books, coaching costs. At an age when I should be supporting my parents, I am still dependent on them," she says. "Whenever I visit my village, people ask why I still don't have a job. Some mock me as if all my education has been meaningless."
Despite an exceptional academic record, including topping her university and earning a gold medal—Pratiksha says repeated allegations of paper leaks and cancelled examinations have taken a devastating toll on her mental health.
"When you prepare day and night for months, and then suddenly hear that the paper has leaked or the exam has been cancelled, it feels like everything has been snatched away," she says. "I am battling depression. I often suffer panic attacks. Sometimes I feel like giving up my studies and returning home because I feel like a burden on my family."
She says her story is not unique.
"Many of my friends have stopped preparing altogether. Some have slipped into depression after years of waiting. For someone who has always excelled in academics, accepting this reality is incredibly painful."
The emotional burden, she says, is compounded by societal expectations.
"As a woman, people constantly ask when I will get married. They don't understand that I am still fighting for the career I have worked so hard to build."
Asked why she chose to join protests despite the possibility of police action, Pratiksha says candidates were left with few alternatives.
"When our voices are not heard through democratic means, the streets become the only option. My family worries about my safety because they know there is always the risk of a lathicharge, but they also understand why I am here."
For Pratiksha and the hundreds of aspirants protesting alongside her, the demands are straightforward: transparent recruitment, timely examinations, clear cut-off marks, and strict action against those responsible for alleged examination irregularities.
"We are not asking for favours," she says. "We only want a fair chance. We have studied honestly. The system should evaluate us honestly."
As the protests continue in Ranchi, Pratiksha's journey—from a university gold medalist to a young woman battling anxiety while fighting for recruitment reforms—reflects the growing frustration among thousands of aspirants who believe repeated examination controversies have cost them not only opportunities, but also years of their lives and peace of mind.
