Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Bihar Researchers’ Protest Enters Day 17, March Planned
Researchers in Bihar have been protesting for 17 days.
They are asking the government to change how university teachers are hired.
They want the process to be fair and regular.
They also want the maximum age for applicants raised to 55.
Some protesters are refusing food to put pressure on the government.
Their leader, Kumud Patel, is reportedly becoming weaker.
The researchers plan to march to Lok Bhavan on August 22.
The Bihar Jan Suraaj Party says it supports their demands.
The government has been accused by protesters of not taking concrete action.
Researchers in Patna announced a march to Lok Bhavan on August 22 as their protest entered its 17th day.
Some protesters, including leader Kumud Patel, are on indefinite hunger strikes despite worsening health concerns.
The researchers seek fair, permanent recruitment of assistant professors in Bihar’s universities.
Their demands include implementing Table 3A of UGC Regulation 2018 and raising the maximum age limit to 55.
Bihar Jan Suraaj Party president Manoj Bharti backed the protesters and alleged that the state’s teacher recruitment process conflicts with UGC provisions.
- Who
- PhD holders, research scholars and other researchers in Bihar, led by Kumud Patel; the Bihar Jan Suraaj Party has expressed support.
- What
- A 17-day protest is continuing, with some protesters on indefinite hunger strikes and a march to Lok Bhavan planned.
- When
- The protest entered its 17th day on Thursday; the march is scheduled for August 22.
- Where
- The protest is being held at Gardanibagh in Patna, Bihar, with the march planned to Lok Bhavan.
- Why
- The protesters want changes to assistant-professor recruitment, including fair implementation of UGC rules, a higher age limit, permanent recruitment, a domicile policy and protections for guest assistant professors.
Researchers and Supporters
Bihar Government’s Recruitment Process
Assistant-professor recruitment
Researchers and Supporters
Researchers and Manoj Bharti argue that recruitment should be fair, permanent and consistent with UGC provisions.
Bihar Government’s Recruitment Process
The protesters allege that the Bihar government’s new teacher-recruitment process conflicts with UGC provisions; no government response is provided in the article.
PhD marks in evaluation
Researchers and Supporters
The protesters’ supporters say PhD marks should receive 30% weightage when recruiting teachers or professors for degree colleges.
Bihar Government’s Recruitment Process
Manoj Bharti alleges that the current process reduces the weightage for PhD marks to 11%; the government’s justification is not stated.
Government action
Researchers and Supporters
Researchers accuse the Bihar government of ignoring their long-standing demands and taking no concrete steps.
Bihar Government’s Recruitment Process
The article does not include a response from the Bihar government to those allegations.
- Protest duration
- 17 days as of Thursday
- Protest site
- Gardanibagh, Patna
- Planned march
- To Lok Bhavan on August 22
- Key leader
- Kumud Patel, state convenor of the All PhD Holders and Research Scholars of Bihar
- Age-limit demand
- Increase the maximum age limit for recruitment to 55 years
- Recruitment demand
- Permanent and regular assistant-professor recruitment in universities
- Additional demand
- Service protection or service adjustment for long-serving guest assistant professors