BPSC Prelims Re-Exam Only For One Centre, Protesting Candidates To Stage 'Rail Roko' On Friday

A rail blockade has been announced in Bihar on Friday, January 3, as part of a statewide protest. Member of Parliament Pappu Yadav is expected to join the agitation.

AISA activists stop a train during 'Chakka Jam' protest over BPSC 7oth exam in Arrah Bihar.

Source : PTI

Patna: Dealing a major blow to the candidates, the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has rejected the demand to cancel the 70th BPSC Preliminary Examination altogether following allegations of irregularities. The re-exam will be conducted exclusively for the Bapu Examination Centre in Patna on January 4, and preparations for the same have been finalised. 

The decision has come despite protests by candidates at Patna's Gardanibagh, who were demanding cancellation of the 70th BPSC Preliminary Exam altogether alleging irregularities. A rail blockade has been announced in Bihar on Friday, January 3, as part of a statewide protest.

Member of Parliament Pappu Yadav is expected to join the agitation. Separately, Prashant Kishor began a hunger strike on January 2, demanding fair consideration of students' concerns and the cancellation of the exam.

Observers, Flying Squads To Ensure No Unfair Means Used In BPSC Re-Exam

Meanwhile, Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh and SSP Avakash Kumar held a meeting Thursday to discuss the arrangements for the upcoming exam. They issued directives to ensure a fair, cheating-free, and peaceful environment during the examination.   

To oversee the process, the district administration has appointed 24 static magistrate-observers, 22 zonal magistrates, and seven flying squads. Strict measures will be implemented to prevent any disturbances, with authorities warning of stern action against anti-social elements attempting to disrupt the process.  

Helpline numbers have also been released to assist candidates and report any irregularities during the examination. Information can be shared with the BPSC control room at 0612-2215354 (10:00 AM to 6:00 PM) or the 24x7 district control room at 0612-2219810/2219234.

Nearly five lakh candidates had appeared for Combined Competitive Exams held on December 13 when hundreds of examinees, all of them at the Bapu Pariksha Parisar in Patna, boycotted the tests alleging question papers had been leaked.

This was met with a strong denial from the BPSC, which claimed the allegations were a conspiracy to force the exam's cancellation, even as fresh tests were ordered for more than 10,000 candidates who had appeared at Bapu Pariksha Parisar. The candidates have been asked to appear on January 4 at 22 newly designated centres across the city.