A retest for a group of candidates who appeared in the controversial 70th Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) was conducted on Saturday in Patna. The exam, initially held on December 13, has been embroiled in allegations of a question paper leak, which the BPSC has denied, though it ordered a fresh test for candidates from the Bapu Pariksha Parisar centre.
Approximately 12,000 candidates were expected to appear for the re-examination, conducted between 12 PM and 2 PM at 22 centres in the state capital. As per District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh, about 8,200 aspirants downloaded their admit cards, and the exact turnout will be confirmed later. “The exam was conducted peacefully under strict arrangements, and unauthorized entry or gatherings within 200 meters of the centres were prohibited,” Singh stated.
The allegations of irregularities in the December 13 exam have sparked widespread protests across Bihar. Agitating aspirants, supported by political parties and activists, are demanding a fresh exam for all five lakh candidates who appeared at over 900 centres across the state. Critics claim a partial retest undermines fairness, calling for a "level-playing field."
Prominent figures, including Independent MP Pappu Yadav and Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor, have lent their voices to the protests. On Friday, Yadav led blockades disrupting rail and road traffic, while Kishor continued his fast-unto-death at Gandhi Maidan, despite the district administration deeming the protest site unauthorized.
Kishor expressed dissatisfaction with the limited scope of the retest, questioning its impact on the broader pool of aspirants. “The voices of 3.5 lakh candidates demanding fairness cannot be ignored. Corruption in recruitment processes must be addressed,” he said, alleging significant bribery in state recruitment.
The district administration has maintained a watchful stance, awaiting developments post-exam to decide further action. With protests intensifying, the controversy surrounding the BPSC exam continues to highlight concerns about transparency and fairness in recruitment processes.
