Students demand single‑stage BPSC exam and inquiry into paper leak

Thousands of future teachers gathered in Patna to press the Bihar Public Service Commission for major changes to its recruitment process. The core demand is a one‑step written examination, eliminating the current preliminary‑plus‑mains system, which aspirants argue adds unnecessary delay and expense.

A separate faction within the protest highlighted alleged irregularities in the recent Combined Competitive Exams, including a suspected paper leak. They called for the immediate cancellation of the 70th BPSC examination and a thorough inquiry into the alleged malpractices.

The movement gained further momentum after the BPSC examination controller, Rakesh Kumar Singh, used a Hindi proverb to compare the protesters to “barking dogs in the streets,” a remark widely perceived as humiliating. Demonstrators have demanded his removal and a formal apology.

The protests have been marked by repeated attempts to reach the chief minister’s residence under the banner of a "Mukhyamantri Awas gherao". Police have consistently blocked the route, leading to clashes that involved stone‑throwing, water cannons, and lathi charges. The standoff has left the city on edge and raised questions about the state’s handling of exam administration.