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Candidates undergo security check upon their arrival to appear for the Bihar Public Service Commission 70th prelims re-examination, in Patna, on January 4, 2025. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
“The retest for a select group of candidates who had appeared in the recent Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) examination, which has been embroiled over allegations of question paper leak, was held on Saturday (January 4, 2025) afternoon at 22 centres in Patna,” officials said.
“Altogether, 12,000 candidates were scheduled to sit for the re-examination that started at 12 p.m. and continued till 2 p.m.,” they said.
BPSC exam row: Protests continue to rock Bihar as demonstrators disrupt traffic movement
The 70th Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) held on December 13, 2024 has been in the eye of a storm over allegations of leak of question papers, which has been denied by the BPSC, though a fresh test was ordered for 12,000 candidates, who had appeared for the examination at the Bapu Pariksha Parisar centre, in Patna.
“The re-examination took place at 22 centres in Patna. Out of a total 12,000 candidates, around 8,200 aspirants had downloaded their admit cards. The authorities concerned will later provide the exact number of students who appeared for the retest,” District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh told reporters.
“The retest was peacefully held at all the centres, where adequate arrangements were put in place. The district administration had issued strict guidelines. Unauthorised entry, gatherings and protests within a 200-metre radius of the centres were prohibited,” he told PTI after the examination.
BPSC row: As protests continue, some candidates oppose re-exam for all as ‘gross injustice’
The clamour for cancellation of the Combined Competitive Examination held on December 13, 2024 by the BPSC has gained strength, as agitating aspirants found support from various political parties, Independent MP Pappu Yadav and Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor.
Mr. Yadav had on Friday (January 3, 2024) led his supporters in blocking rail and road traffic in several areas of Patna as well as other parts of the State.
Several MLAs and leaders of the Congress, CPI-ML (Liberation), CPI(M) and CPI also lent support to the protesting candidates, who have been demanding that fresh examinations be held for all the five lakh candidates, who had appeared at more than 900 centres across the State, to ensure a “level-playing field”.
Mr. Kishor continued with his fast-unto-death that he began on Thursday (January 2, 2025) to press for the demand for cancellation of the December 13, 2024, examination.
Complaint filed with NHRC against police action on BPSC students in Patna
“I know that the re-examination of the Bapu Pariksha Parishar centre, where around 15,000 students had appeared, is taking place in Patna today even after our repeated requests for cancellation of the entire examination. What will happen to 3.5 lakh aspirants who have been demanding a retest? I am sure that the protests will intensify further after today’s examination,” the former political strategist said.
“The government will listen to us. The administration (officials) came to us on Friday (January 3, 2025) and requested us to discontinue our strike. Everybody knows about the rampant corruption in the recruitment process in the State. Corrupt officers and the mafia are charging ₹30 lakh to ₹1.5 crore for various posts in the State and in the BPSC,” Mr. Kishor claimed.
The district administration had earlier termed Mr. Kishor’s fast-unto-death at Gandhi Maidan “illegal” as it is not the designated site for holding such protests.
“We are keeping a close watch on the developments … We will decide our further course of action after completion of today’s examination,” the DM added.
Published – January 04, 2025 03:34 pm IST
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