Manoj Kumar Pathak
The ongoing protests by Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) aspirants in Patna have thrown a spotlight on serious allegations regarding the integrity and fairness of the state’s competitive examination process. With demands for the re-examination of the 70th Preliminary Test (PT) held on December 13, 2024, and January 4, 2025, the issue has quickly evolved from a student grievance to a broader debate concerning transparency, governance, and the trust in the examination systems of Bihar. The protests have intensified following claims made by popular teacher and YouTuber Faizal Khan, also known as Khan Sir, who has emerged as a key figure leading the charge for accountability and justice in this matter.
Khan Sir, alongside thousands of students, has accused the BPSC of severe irregularities in the conduct of the exam, alleging that the question papers used for the January 4 examination were recycled from the December 13 exam. According to Khan Sir, this is not just a mere procedural error but a systemic failure that undermines the credibility of the recruitment process. “Instead of printing a new set of question papers for the examination held on January 4, 2025, BPSC used the remaining set of question papers printed for the examination held on December 13, 2024,” Khan Sir claimed in a public statement.
These allegations, if proven true, will not only damage the reputation of the BPSC but will also raise serious questions about the governance of the state and the fairness of recruitment processes that have a direct impact on the youth of Bihar.
The BPSC 70th PT examination is one of the most significant recruitment exams in the state, attracting thousands of aspirants from various districts of Bihar. The examination serves as the gateway to government jobs in Bihar, a vital avenue for employment in a state where youth unemployment has long been a pressing issue. The importance of the BPSC cannot be overstated, and any flaws in its conduct can have far-reaching consequences for both the students and the state’s development.
The protests are not just a spontaneous reaction but a reflection of years of growing discontent among students. The large turnout of aspirants in the protests indicates the depth of the crisis. As of now, numerous students have come forward with similar complaints regarding the conduct of the BPSC 70th PT. According to the Bihar Students’ Union (BSU), nearly 50,000 students appeared for the exam on December 13, and a similar number attended the January 4 exam. Out of these, a significant portion has expressed their dissatisfaction with the alleged mismanagement and irregularities, further fueling the calls for re-examination.
The demand for a re-examination is not limited to just the aspirants. A number of political figures and civil society members have lent their support to the protesters. Tejashwi Yadav, leader of the opposition in Bihar and leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has voiced his concerns about the issue, calling it “a deep conspiracy against Bihar’s youth.” Yadav’s criticism targets the ruling Janata Dal (United) – Bharatiya Janata Party (JD(U)-BJP) alliance, accusing it of ignoring the growing frustration among the youth and allowing such malpractice to occur under its nose.
The crux of the controversy lies in the allegation that the question papers for the January 4, 2025, examination were not original but were merely leftovers from the December 13, 2024, exam. This claim was made by Khan Sir, who stated that he had obtained conclusive proof of the alleged malpractice. He argues that this constitutes a major breach of trust and procedure, as the exam is supposed to maintain a high level of integrity and fairness.
While the BPSC has yet to respond comprehensively to these claims, the absence of a proper clarification from the commission has only added fuel to the fire. The aspirants, many of whom have invested years of hard work and significant financial resources to prepare for this competitive exam, are now left with a deep sense of betrayal and injustice.
Dr. Sanjay Kumar, an education expert and a professor at Patna University, explains that such incidents could have far-reaching consequences for the youth’s faith in the state’s education and recruitment system. “When the examination system is marred by allegations of rigging or mismanagement, it creates an atmosphere of distrust. Students no longer feel motivated to participate in a process they believe to be flawed. This is not just an educational issue but a governance issue, and the government must act swiftly to restore credibility.”
The Bihar government, which has faced criticism over the years for various mismanagement issues, now finds itself at the center of yet another controversy. The ruling JD(U)-BJP alliance has so far refrained from taking concrete action on the matter, which has sparked even more outrage. The protests have escalated to a point where political figures like Tejashwi Yadav have openly criticized Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the state’s ruling coalition for their inability to address the concerns of the youth.
However, the state government’s reluctance to act decisively has triggered a response from the protesting students and their supporters, particularly Khan Sir, who has been leading the demand for a re-examination. In his public remarks, Khan Sir has made it clear that the issue is not just about one exam but about the broader implications for Bihar’s education system. “If the BPSC does not conduct a re-examination, the ruling parties will have to face the consequences. Assembly elections are approaching, and the anger of the youth will be hard to ignore,” Khan Sir warned.
This statement underscores the political dimensions of the issue. As the state heads towards assembly elections later this year, the government must be cautious about alienating the youth, who represent a significant voting bloc. The BPSC issue, compounded by the ongoing protests, is rapidly becoming a litmus test for the government’s commitment to fair and transparent recruitment processes.
This controversy is a part of a larger, more troubling pattern of governance failures in Bihar. Youth unemployment has been a long-standing issue, with reports consistently highlighting that the state has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), Bihar’s unemployment rate stood at 9.2% in 2024, significantly higher than the national average of 7.4%. The state’s education and recruitment systems are seen as one of the key ways to address this issue, and any disruption or malpractice in these processes is a blow to Bihar’s future.
Moreover, the Bihar Public Service Commission has been under scrutiny for several years due to delays, irregularities, and allegations of corruption. The ongoing protests over the BPSC 70th PT examination have once again brought the commission’s credibility into question. As Bihar continues to grapple with youth unemployment, the calls for a fair, transparent, and accountable recruitment process have never been more urgent.
The BPSC 70th PT examination controversy has evolved into a significant political and governance issue. The protests led by aspirants and supported by political figures like Tejashwi Yadav, as well as social influencers like Khan Sir, have placed immense pressure on the Bihar government to act decisively. The issue is no longer just about one exam but about the state’s commitment to fair governance, transparent recruitment, and addressing the pressing concerns of its youth.
With the assembly elections on the horizon, the ruling government in Bihar faces a crucial challenge. If the issue of irregularities in the BPSC exams is not handled with the seriousness it deserves, the youth may very well make their voices heard at the ballot box. The coming months will determine not only the future of the BPSC but also the fate of the state’s political leadership in a rapidly changing and increasingly vocal society.
