SSC Exam Controversy: Why Are Students Protesting?

Students and teachers demand action on SSC exam irregularities after protests turn chaotic at Ramlila Maidan.

Thousands of students and teachers took to the streets against alleged irregularities in SSC exams. From paper leaks to police lathi-charge, they say the system has failed them. In this episode of Janab Aise Kaise?, we hear their demands and stories.

Photo: The Quint/Vibhushita Singh

On August 24, thousands of students and teachers gathered at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan to protest alleged irregularities in Staff Selection Commission (SSC) exams. The demonstrators raised concerns over technical glitches and other malpractices that have disrupted the recruitment process.

Protesters also accused the police of using excessive force, including lathi-charge, detaining several students and teachers, and injuring others in the process.

“People were being thrown off the stage. Students were kicked. Teachers had their stools broken,” students told.

The protesters demanded strict action against private agencies responsible for technical glitches and the blacklisting of exam centers that have repeatedly failed students.

At the same time, questions emerged around the crackdown itself. Critics accused teacher leaders of using students for political mileage, while others countered with the argument: “Which protest in this country has ever happened without lathi-charge?”

This raises some pressing questions:

•⁠ ⁠Why are SSC exam irregularities persisting for years without accountability?

•⁠ ⁠Who is responsible for ensuring transparency in the recruitment process?

•⁠ ⁠Should police action against protesting students be normalized?

•⁠ ⁠And most importantly, how long must India’s unemployed youth wait for a fair system?

In this episode of Janab Aise Kaise we hear directly from those at the heart of the protest.