BPSC row: Students break barricades, march towards Raj Bhavan in Patna

BPSC row: Students break barricades, march towards Raj Bhavan in Patna

Protesting students in Patna broke through police barricades on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, during a march from Gandhi Maidan toward Raj Bhavan. The demonstrators are demanding the cancellation of the 70th Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) examination, citing paper leaks and alleged irregularities.

The situation escalated as protesters attempted to enter a restricted area despite security measures. Security forces clashed with demonstrators who had broken through the barricades while raising slogans against the recruitment process. Police officials stated that efforts were made to maintain law and order and control the escalating tension.

DSP Kamakhya Narayan Singh told ANI that police would not allow protesters to proceed further into the restricted zone. However, he noted that dialogues with senior officials had been positive.

"We will stop them; we won't let them proceed further. However, the dialogue has been positive, and we hope the students will agree. They have raised several issues with the senior officials, and the outcome has been positive. So, I expect the turnout to be lower and that they will agree. If they don't, we will stop them right here. We won't allow them to enter the restricted area."

Kamakhya Narayan Singh, DSP, via ANI

The grievances extend beyond the 70th BPSC exam. Protesters are also targeting the proposed Teacher Recruitment Examination - Fourth Phase (TRE-4). Students have objected to a proposal to conduct TRE-4 exams in two phases across the state and are instead demanding a single-stage examination and the release of the official TRE-4 advertisement.

Congress leader Sushil Kumar, speaking at the protest site, said that negative marking should be abolished for TRE 4.0 and that action is needed regarding the Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) and Sub-Inspector recruitment.

"We want to state clearly that a single-stage examination must be implemented for TRE 4.0 at all costs, and negative marking should be abolished. There are numerous other issues as well, regarding the BPSC, BSSC, Sub-Inspector recruitment. The government has offered no assurances on any of these points. We have urged the Chief Minister to hold a dialogue; he should invite our delegation for talks. We have been on a hunger strike for nine days, yet no one is willing to listen to us. Just imagine, had the government engaged in dialogue, this situation would not have arisen. We are heading towards the Chief Minister's residence; the Chief Minister should hold talks, and our delegation will go there for the discussion,"

Sushil Kumar, Congress leader, via ANI

The political opposition has entered the fray. Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav wrote to Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, urging the administration to engage in constructive dialogue. In his letter, Yadav demanded an end to alleged discrimination against Hindi-speaking candidates during the BPSC Civil Services Main Examination and interviews.

The RJD leader also called for:

• Complete transparency in the BPSC, BSSC, Constable, and Sub-Inspector exams.
• A high-level independent inquiry into past examinations to take action against recruitment mafias.
• Time-bound schedules for pending tests, including BSSC Accountant, Librarian, BSO, ASO, CGL, and Intermediate recruitment drives.

In response to the unrest, the Bihar government has announced a Student Support Camp initiative. These camps will be held regularly at educational institutions to allow students to submit complaints directly. Additionally, the government has launched a helpline number 1100 and an online grievance portal for students to track their resolutions.