The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) conducted re-examinations at 22 centres on Thursday, addressing disruptions from the December 13, 2024, incident at the Bapu Examination Centre. Meanwhile, protests led by candidates and Jan Suraaj convener Prashant Kishor highlighted ongoing discontent.
The December 13 examination was cancelled after delays in distributing question papers caused chaos. The situation escalated when some candidates smuggled mobile phones into the centre, recorded the disruptions, and possibly shared them online.
A section of affected candidates staged protests at Gardanibagh, expressing dissatisfaction with examination arrangements. Prashant Kishor also began a three-day sit-in protest at Gandhi Maidan under the Bapu statue, amplifying the grievances of candidates and signalling broader concerns.
To ensure the smooth conduct of the re-exams, the Patna district administration deployed a large police force around examination centres. Authorities enforced Section 144, prohibiting the assembly of individuals near the centres, to prevent disruptions.
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Strict security measures were in place at all 22 centres. Officials thoroughly checked candidates, allowing only admit cards, pens, and water bottles. Surveillance was enhanced with CCTV monitoring and the deployment of 65 duty magistrates at examination centres and 14 at the control room.
The re-examination, scheduled from 12 noon to 2 p.m., saw lower participation. Of the 12,000 candidates originally registered, only 7,000 downloaded admit cards for the re-exam.
The administration faced dual challenges—conducting the examination seamlessly and managing protests in Gardanibagh and Gandhi Maidan. The high-level security measures underscored the issue’s sensitivity, as any misstep could further damage the BPSC’s reputation.
Despite administrative efforts, the protests and reduced participation reflect lingering dissatisfaction among candidates.