BPSC Announces 70th Combined Prelims Results, despite students protest

In its released official statement, the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) declared, “The Commission is happy to declare the result of the Integrated 70th Combined (Pre.) Competitive Examination held on 13.12.2024 at 911 centers in the state and on 04.01.2025 at 22 centers in Patna within 45 days. A total of 3,28,990 candidates had taken this examination, out of which a total of 21,581 candidates have successfully cleared it. Congratulations to all the successful candidates on behalf of the Commission and best wishes for the upcoming written examination”, ignoring students’ protest.

BPSC students backed by political leaders were protesting for several weeks against suspected irregularities in the examination process and a question paper leak from the exam which was held on December 13 at 912 centers. Contestants at the Bapu Exam Center, BEC of Patna have boycotted their exam claiming not to have been provided with their question paper before time.

In response, the BPSC conducted a re-exam on January 4 at 22 centres where 4,593 candidates were present. But many others wanted a re-exam for all candidates due to irregularities present in different centers. BPSC Chairman Parmar Ravi Manubhai declared that there had been no leakage of paper while the exam was carried out peacefully in 911 centres out of 912.

Political leaders like RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, MP Pappu Yadav, and JSP founder Prashant Kishor supported the students' demands. On December 29, police used water cannons to disperse protesters at the JP roundabout. On January 12, Pappu Yadav called for a Bihar Bandh, and Prashant Kishor went on a hunger strike.

On January 18, Rahul Gandhi visited the protest site and presented assurances to the students in question. The case has been listed for hearing in the Patna High Court on January 31, 2025. BPSC has terminated 13 candidates from appearing in the exam due to unfair practices carried out by them.