BPSC Rejects Protesting Aspirants' Demands as Controller's Proverb Sparks Controversy

The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) on Monday rejected key demands of protesting job aspirants, confirming that negative marking will remain in its objective examinations and that all future exams will be conducted in at least two stages. However, the Commission's policy clarifications were quickly overshadowed by a controversial remark made by its examination controller, which has triggered a political and social media backlash.

During a press conference, BPSC Examination Controller Rajesh Kumar Singh responded to questions about the ongoing student protests by quoting the Hindi proverb, “Hathi chale bazaar, kutta bhaunke hazar” (an elephant walks while a thousand dogs bark). While the proverb is traditionally used to advise staying focused on goals despite external noise, critics and protesting students alleged that the remark compared the demonstrators to dogs.

Political Backlash and Official Clarification

The comment drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders in the state. Tejashwi Yadav, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) National Working President and Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, termed the remark “shameful” and stated that such language from public officials would not be tolerated.

Following the backlash, Singh issued a video statement expressing regret and claiming his words were misrepresented. He stated that the proverb had been twisted and presented out of context on social media. Singh clarified that he had no intention of hurting the sentiments of any specific individual or group, offering his regrets to anyone who felt offended by the comment.

Developments in Student Protests

The controversy unfolded against the backdrop of persistent demonstrations in Patna’s Gardanibagh area. Students have been protesting since August 18 over several grievances, including the proposed examination pattern for the fourth Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE-4). While multiple student groups remain active at the protest site, one major faction has agreed to pause its agitation.

The All PhD Holders and Research Association announced they would withdraw their 21-day hunger strike following a successful two-hour meeting with Bihar Governor Lt Gen (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain. A six-member delegation representing the association met with the Governor, who assured them that their concerns regarding the 2026 Assistant Professor Recruitment Regulations would be addressed.

Under the agreement, the implementation of these regulations will be put on hold until necessary amendments are made. Furthermore, a committee comprising educationists and experienced administrators will be established within 15 days to review the students' demands. These demands include revisions to the age limit, the structure of the recruitment examination, weightage for API, PhD, and NET-JRF qualifications, and the service conditions of guest assistant professors. Despite this resolution, other student groups continue their protests at Gardanibagh and have announced plans for a march toward the Chief Minister’s residence on Tuesday.

Commission Defends Exam Structure and Policies

During Monday's press conference, Singh defended the BPSC’s decision to maintain a two-stage examination format consisting of preliminary and mains tests. He argued that this system is not unique to Bihar, pointing out that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) as well as state public service commissions in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh employ similar two- or three-stage evaluation processes.

Singh also reiterated that negative marking would apply to all objective-type examinations conducted by the BPSC. He explained that the rule is fair because it applies equally to all candidates. According to the controller, removing negative marking could encourage blind guessing, which would unfairly benefit candidates who have not prepared adequately for the exams.

Additionally, the Commission dismissed allegations of bias against Hindi-medium candidates, asserting that examiners evaluate answer sheets based strictly on the quality of the content rather than the language of instruction. The BPSC also denied claims that candidates are barred from receiving marks above 60%, clarifying that no such restrictive policy exists.

Rebuttal of Social Media Allegations

The BPSC also addressed allegations of manipulation regarding the evaluation process of the 70th BPSC mains examination. Social media posts had circulated images of what appeared to be a largely blank answer sheet belonging to the candidate who secured Rank 3, leading to allegations of favoritism.

The Commission declared the viral images “completely fake” and presented the original answer sheet during the press conference. Singh explained that the candidate had answered Question 7 but left its sub-parts blank, resulting in zero marks for those specific sections. He emphasized that grading is based on the quality of the answers provided rather than the volume of pages filled. Singh added that any candidates who believe they have evidence of malpractice are free to approach the court.

Upcoming TRE-4 Schedule and Other Decisions

Regarding the upcoming TRE-4, the BPSC announced that the application window will open on September 1 and close on September 30. The examination is tentatively planned for December or January, with the official schedule expected to be released in October.

The logistics of the examination will depend on the volume of applicants. Officials stated that if total applications remain under five lakh, the exam will be conducted across three shifts. If applications exceed five lakh, six shifts will be required. The Commission is also considering a proposal to grant candidates an additional 10 to 15 minutes during the objective-type exam.

On the issue of domicile policy, the BPSC clarified that such decisions fall under the jurisdiction of the state government, noting that approximately 72% of candidates appearing for BPSC exams are residents of Bihar. Finally, addressing the delayed results of the Assistant Engineer examination held a year ago, Singh stated that the outcome is pending due to an ongoing court case. The Commission has sought the opinion of the Advocate General and will proceed once the legal issues are resolved.