BPSC exam row: all you need to know about the controversary; timeline
Students have levelled allegations of irregularities in the examination, the poor quality of the question paper, and the similarities between the questions in the exam and model papers from coaching institutes.
Allegations of paper leaks and irregularities in the 70th combined preliminary examination of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), conducted on December 13, has resulted in huge stir and violent protests in different parts of the state.
The issue has escalated into a political battleground with the politicians like Independent MP from Purnea Pappu Yadav and Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor joining the protest.
Students have levelled allegations of irregularities in the examination, the poor quality of the question paper, and the similarities between the questions in the exam and model papers from coaching institutes. They are, therefore, demanding a complete cancellation of the exam and a re-conduct of the examination.
BPSC has rejected these allegations, calling them “irrational” and has appealed to students to focus on preparing for the main exam.
Political support
Opposition parties including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress Party and CPI (M-L) have extended support to the students’ demands, slamming the government for jeopardising the future of students.
Former Bihar CM and RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav termed the lathi-charge on protesting students “wrong” and stated that the police should not have resorted to such act. RJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha called the lathi-charge on students as an “unfortunate” incident and said that the government should consider the demands of the students and stop such activities
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi slammed the Bihar government and alleged that the NDA-led government resorted to a ‘lathi-charge’ on BPSC aspirants to “hide its failures.” The Congress MP called the action taken against the protesting aspirants “extremely shameful.”
Meanwhile, Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraj Party, has gone on an indefinite hunger strike in support of the protesting students, further intensifying the pressure on the government.
The protests, which began on December 6, 2024, have been met with heavy police action, including lathi charges and the use of water cannons. The demonstrations gained momentum after the December 13 exam, with aspirants braving cold winter nights outdoors.
Students from left-wing parties are planning a march to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s residence, while Congress workers will stage a candle march. RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav continues to criticise the government over the controversy, adding to the political heat surrounding the issue.
Timeline of BPSC exam row
September 2024: The advertisement for the 70th combined preliminary examination of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) was released in September 2024 for total 2,031 positions, including 200 SDMs, 136 DSPs, and other gazetted officer posts, making it one of the largest vacancies in recent years. Total 483,000 candidates applied, out of which 325,000 appeared for the exam conducted on December 13 between 12 PM and 2 PM.
December 6: Students raised concerns about normalisation, accusing BPSC of introducing the practice. BPSC dismissed these allegations, calling them “rumours,” stating there were no plans for normalisation.
December 13: A disturbance occurred at the Bapu Pariksha Parisar (Bapu Examination Complex) in Patna, where the question papers were delayed. CCTV footage showed people tearing question papers and grabbing exam sheets from other candidates during the test. Hours after the chaos unfolded at the BPSC exam centre in Patna, aspirants sat on protest against the BPSC demanding the cancellation of the exam and urging for re-examination. Several students announced a hunger strike. As a result, BPSC decided to re-conduct the exam for 12,000 candidates from this centre on January 4, 2025.
December 16: Educator and YouTuber Faizal Khan aka Khan Sir expressed his concerns over the paper leaks and controversies, including the uncertainty around the normalisation process, surrounding the 70th BPSC examination. Speaking to ANI Khan said that such issues create unnecessary anxiety among students preparing for examinations and cause “mental trauma” to the students as well as the teachers.
December 17: BPSC Chairman Ravi Manubhai Parmar announced the re-examination for the candidates who were allotted Bapu Pariksha Parisar exam centre in Patna for the exam on December 13, 2024.
December 18: Aspirants continued to protest and demonstrate against the BPSC in Patna demanding a re-examination of the 70th BPSC examination.
December 19: A meeting of the full BPSC bench was held on December 19, 2024, to discuss the re-examination of the cancelled 70th Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination, which was originally supposed to take place on December 13, 2024, at the Bapu Examination Complex in Patna. The Commission decided to hold the re-examination on January 4, 2025 (Saturday) at the Bapu Examination Complex.
December 21: BPSC aspirants met Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal at his residence to discuss the irregularities that occurred during the 70th BPSC exam. After meeting the aspirants, Jaiswal said to the media that he heard the demands of the students and advised them to not get into any politics. he further underlined that the BPSC is an independent body and they need to understand the demands of the students.
December 24: Aspirants continued their indefinite hunger strike demanding a re-examination of the 70th BPSC exam. Independent MP Pappu Yadav from Purnia joined the protest and urged the opposition MPs and MLAs to support the student’s cause.
December 25: Khan Sir, visited the students sitting on the indefinite hunger strike. He urged the BPSC to consider the plight of the aspirants stating that 4-5 students are in critical condition and have been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).
December 26: Bihar Police resorted to a lathi charge after the aspirants intensified their protest. However, the police department issued a clarification, claiming that they used “mild force” and denied any injuries to the protesting aspirants.
December 27: The BPSC’s Examination Controller, Rajesh Kumar Singh announced that the 70th BPSC Prelims Exam will not be cancelled under any circumstances. He also confirmed that the main exam will be held in April.
December 29: Bihar police lathi-charged and used water cannon to disperse the protesting BPSC aspirants in Gandhi Maidan, Patna.
December 30: Aspirants called for a statewide bandh (shutdown).
January 1, 2025: Aspirants continued their protest and indefinite hunger strike amid bone-chilling winter on the first day of January demanding re-examination for the BPSC prelims.
