PATNA, Bihar—Aspirants in Patna staged a protest on Wednesday, demanding a re-examination of the 70th Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) examination. Protesters argue that the current situation, following the cancellation of exams in several districts, is unfair.
Satyam, a protesting aspirant, told ANI that holding a re-examination with a similar difficulty level would disadvantage those who already took the exam. Conversely, a more difficult exam would unfairly penalize the 15,000 students who were unable to take the original exam. He issued an ultimatum: “Our only demand is a fair exam for all. If our demands aren’t met, we will call for the removal of those responsible within two to three days.”
Another protester, Rohit, called for the resignation of the BPSC President, criticizing the commission’s labeling of protesting students as “non-serious candidates” and “aggressive elements.” Rohit highlighted the disproportionate impact of the exam cancellations, stating, “A center’s exam, not an entire district’s, should be cancelled… We just want fair examinations.”
These protests follow earlier concerns raised by educator and YouTuber Faizal Khan (“Khan Sir”). Khan Sir, speaking to ANI on December 16th, highlighted the “mental trauma” caused by the uncertainty surrounding the normalization process and the initial announcement of varying question papers across 38 districts. He has actively participated in protests alongside BPSC aspirants, advocating for the removal of the normalization process and a return to a single, standardized exam. Earlier this month, students had already protested the changes in exam patterns and the normalization process, demanding a single-shift, single-paper exam to eliminate the need for normalization.
Lara Zijl 
