Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Bihar Students Clash With Police Over BPSC Exam Demands
Students in Bihar are protesting about government recruitment examinations.
They say the 70th BPSC exam had alleged irregularities and want it cancelled.
They also want clearer recruitment rules and a single-tier examination for BPSC-TRE 4.
Hundreds of students marched from Gandhi Maidan in Patna on Tuesday, August 25.
One report says they were heading to Raj Bhavan, while another says they were going to the chief minister’s residence.
The students broke through police barricades along the route.
Police used batons and water cannons, and some protesters were detained.
A farmers’ group joined the protest, after which the CRPF was deployed.
The government said it would start monthly camps where students could raise complaints with officials.
Hundreds of students and BPSC aspirants broke police barricades during a Patna march on Tuesday, August 25.
The march began at Gandhi Maidan, with reports differing on whether its destination was Raj Bhavan or Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary’s residence.
Protesters demanded cancellation of the 70th BPSC examination, citing alleged irregularities and seeking greater recruitment transparency.
Police used lathicharge, water cannons and detentions while trying to disperse the demonstrators; the CRPF was later deployed.
The agitation was backed by Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal and 14 student and youth organisations.
- Who
- BPSC aspirants and student groups, police and security personnel, a farmers’ group, Samrat Choudhary’s Bihar government, Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal, and 14 student and youth organisations.
- What
- Students marched and clashed with police while demanding cancellation of the 70th BPSC examination and changes to recruitment examinations and procedures.
- When
- Tuesday, August 25; the march began at about 10 a.m. after talks between student representatives and the Bihar government the previous day.
- Where
- Patna, beginning at Gandhi Maidan; the reports differ on whether the protesters were heading to Raj Bhavan or the chief minister’s residence. Students had also been protesting in Gardanibagh.
- Why
- Protesters alleged irregularities in the 70th BPSC examination and sought a single-tier BPSC-TRE 4 examination, greater transparency, BSSC recruitment examinations, and fair opportunities for Hindi-medium candidates.
Student protesters
Bihar authorities
Exam cancellation and recruitment process
Student protesters
Students demanded cancellation of the 70th BPSC examination, citing alleged irregularities, and sought greater transparency, a single-tier BPSC-TRE 4 examination, BSSC recruitment examinations and fair opportunities for Hindi-medium candidates.
Bihar authorities
The articles do not state that the government accepted the allegations or the demand to cancel the examination. The government instead announced monthly Student Support Camps to address student grievances.
Direct talks with leadership
Student protesters
Student representatives said earlier talks were positive but insisted on meeting Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary or the education minister, along with receiving an official notice, before ending the protest.
Bihar authorities
The government had held discussions with student representatives and asked them to nominate a delegation for further talks, according to the report.
March and crowd control
Student protesters
Protesters broke through barricades and continued toward their stated destination despite police efforts to stop them.
Bihar authorities
Police attempted to contain and disperse the crowd using barricades, lathicharge and water cannons, and detained several agitators.
- Main issue
- Demand for cancellation of the 70th Bihar Public Service Commission examination
- March
- Started around 10 a.m. from Gandhi Maidan in Patna
- Destination
- Reports differ between Raj Bhavan and Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary’s residence
- Police response
- Lathicharge, water cannons and detention of several protesters
- Additional participants
- A farmers’ group protesting land-related issues joined the agitation
- Security deployment
- The Central Reserve Police Force was deployed after the farmers joined
- Government initiative
- Monthly Vidyarthi Sahyog Shivir camps were announced for the fourth Tuesday of each month
