Today, On 7th January, The Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea related to the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) controversy, advising the petitioners to approach the Patna High Court. While acknowledging the sentiments involved, the apex court emphasized that the grievances should be addressed at the appropriate forum.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court declined to consider a petition regarding alleged irregularities in the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam and police misconduct towards protesters.
The plea sought judicial intervention to address the claimed discrepancies in the examination process and the treatment of candidates protesting the exam’s conduct.
The bench acknowledged the petitioner’s concerns but advised them to take their grievances to the Patna High Court.
More than five lakh candidates participated in the Combined Competitive Exams (CCE) on December 13, but the examination process faced controversy when hundreds of candidates at Patna’s Bapu Pariksha Parisar staged a boycott, alleging that the question papers had been leaked.
The BPSC strongly refused these claims, calling them “a conspiracy” to force the cancellation of the exam. Despite this denial, the BPSC ordered fresh tests for over 10,000 candidates who took the exam at Bapu Pariksha Parisar, instructing them to appear on January 4 at 22 newly assigned centers throughout the city.
This decision created non-acceptance from some candidates, who argue that the re-examination undermines the principle of ensuring a “level playing field” for all test-takers.
In a dramatic turn of events, Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor initiated a fast-unto-death in protest, amplifying his campaign for the cancellation of the Combined Competitive Exam. Kishor announced his hunger strike at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna, just three days after giving a “48-hour ultimatum” to the Nitish Kumar government to respond to the demands of aggrieved candidates.
In December 2024, students in Bihar protested over the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exams. They claimed that the 70th Combined Competitive Examination, held on December 13, was unfair because the question paper was leaked. The students demanded the exam be canceled and conducted again to ensure fairness.
On December 29, the protests intensified when students marched towards the Chief Minister’s residence in Patna. Police used water cannons and batons to stop them, leaving several students injured. This harsh action was criticized by many, including Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, who called it “inhuman,” especially in the cold weather.
Prashant Kishor, a political strategist and founder of Jan Suraaj, joined the protests at Gandhi Maidan to show support. The police later filed a case against him and 20 others for holding the gathering without permission. Kishor responded by announcing an indefinite strike from January 2, 2025, demanding action against the officials responsible for the police violence and asking for the exam to be canceled.
The BPSC said the exam would not be canceled entirely but only retaken at centers where irregularities occurred. This decision has upset the students further, as they continue to demand a full re-examination to ensure the selection process is fair.
Case Title
ANAND LEGAL AID FORUM TRUST vs BIHAR PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND ORS. Diary No. 717-2025
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