BPSC held the 70th Combined (Preliminary) Competitive re-examination on January 4, 2025, at 22 centers in Patna. This was a re-examination as the original examination, which took place on December 13, 2024, was cancelled following allegations of irregularities. The reasons cited were delays and disruptions at several examination centers.
Participation Statistics
Admit cards were distributed to 12,012 candidates. Out of those, 8,111 downloaded their hall tickets. However, only 5,943 candidates attended the test. The examination was conducted between 12 noon and 2 pm. Candidates were allowed entry into the examination halls until 11 am.
Exam Pattern and Guidelines
The test was multiple-choice type, and each question had four options. For every wrong answer, one-third mark was deducted. BPSC ensured that the examination was conducted strictly with high vigilance so that it was peaceful and free from misconduct.
Official Statement on Conduct
In an official statement, the BPSC announced that the re-exam was held incident-free and without any malpractice or disruption. The Commission commended the exam center authorities for their cooperation and the smooth conduct of the re-test.
Controversy Over the Re-Exam
Protests After the Original Exam Was Cancelled
The cancellation of the exam that was scheduled on December 13 led to mass protests. Candidates continued to stage sit-in demonstrations for 15 days to get justice and accountability. Political leaders and activists, who include Jansuraj’s founder Prashant Kishor, have rallied in favor of the protests. He has begun an indefinite hunger strike. Independent MP Pappu Yadav from Purnea has also joined the protest and had organized a “rail roko” protest on January 3, 2025.
Accusations of Irregularities
The controversy was fueled by shocking CCTV footage from an exam center, showing candidates tearing question papers and snatching them from others. This chaos erupted after a 40-45 minute delay in distributing question papers. Despite reassurances from authorities that lost time would be compensated, frustration among candidates escalated into disorder.
Details from Police Complaints
A police complaint filed by the exam authorities clarified that the question papers were sealed appropriately but delays in distribution caused unrest. Some candidates allegedly pushed officials aside, accessed question paper boxes, and caused further disturbances.
Political and Social Reactions
Calls for Justice
Protesters, supported by political parties, called for compensation for the family of a BPSC aspirant who allegedly died due to suicide pressure from the situation. They also demanded systemic reforms to prevent such irregularities in future exams.
BPSC’s Defense
The BPSC strongly clarified that re-test only applied specifically in centers where irregularities occurred. The Commission shot down calls for a state-wide re-exam, stating there was no proof to warrant such an activity.
Next Steps: Results and Analysis
Expected Result Declaration
Though the official date has not been announced by the BPSC, it can be expected to declare the BPSC re-exam result probably in February 2025. However, the hopefuls are supposed to keep monitoring the official news from the commission.
The re-exam saga calls for high protocol and effective management in conducting competitive exams. The handling of the crisis by BPSC and response to protests are likely to determine how the public at large perceive the credibility of the Commission.
This is a detailed report that underlines the complexity of the 70th BPSC Prelims itself and the steps taken to address the concerns of all these different stakeholders.