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{{Short description|Student protests in India}}
{{Orphan|date=August 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2026}}
{{Infobox event
| name = 2026 Patna student protests
| image =
| image_caption =
| date = 18 August 2026
| location = [[Patna]], [[Bihar]], [[India]]
| coordinates =
| type = Examination scandal
| cause = Paper leak and irregularities
| participants = Students, [[Bihar Police]]
| outcome =
}}

'''2026 Patna student protests''' (also referred to as the '''BPSC protests''' or '''Gardanibagh protests''') are a series of demonstrations by the students in [[Patna]], India, primarily concerning recruitment examinations conducted by the [[Bihar Public Service Commission]] and the other related bodies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harsh |first=Himanshu |date=2026-08-25 |title=Dispute, domicile, and ‘dog’: What’s behind fresh student protests in Bihar |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/bihar-student-protest-patna-tre-4-bpsc-10848693/ |access-date=2026-08-25 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

== Background ==
The 70th BPSC Combined Competitive Examination (CCE-prelims) was held on 13 December 2024. After complaints of irregularities and a possible paper leak at the Bapu Pariksha Parisar centre in Patna, the exam was cancelled at that centre and a re-test was held for the affected candidates. Protests demanding cancellation of the entire examination took place in late 2024 and early 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tewary |first=Amarnath |date=2025-01-02 |title=BPSC row: As protests continue, some candidates oppose re-exam for all as ‘gross injustice’ |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bihar/bpsc-row-as-protests-continue-some-candidates-oppose-re-exam-for-all-as-gross-injustice/article69050278.ece |access-date=2026-08-25 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

Separately, aspirants had been waiting for the BPSC Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE-4) notification for thousands of vacancies. But, after nearly 1.5 years delay, the BPSC issued the notification on 18 August 2026 for 32,388 posts, with applications scheduled to begin on 1 September 2026. However, the protests continued over the proposed two-stage exam (prelims and mains), negative marking, domicile rules, and other concerns.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2026-08-19 |title=BPSC released TRE-4 notification for 32,388 posts; why students are still protesting? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/education/bpsc-tre-4-bihar-teacher-recruitment-exam-why-opposition-supporting-students-against-bpsc-past-year-issues-paper-leak-result-stagnation-10839626/ |access-date=2026-08-25 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

== Timeline of protests ==

* '''Mid-to-late August 2026:''' On 18 August 2026, aspirants began a "Student Justice Satyagraha" at Gardanibagh, demanding the TRE-4 notification, a single-stage exam, removal of negative marking, greater transparency, and the overall cancellation of the 70th BPSC exam over alleged irregularities.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-08-18 |title=Bihar protesters seek teacher job exam notification in 24 hours, threaten to gherao minister's house |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/bihar/2026/Aug/18/bihar-protesters-seek-teacher-job-exam-notification-in-24-hours-threaten-to-gherao-ministers-house |access-date=2026-08-25 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> The protests were led by All Bihar Students’ Union and the Chhatra-Yuva Sangharsh Morcha, joined the protest.
* '''18–24 August 2026:''' The state government issued TRE-4 notification, but the sit-in continued.<ref name=":0" /> Opposition leader [[Tejashwi Yadav]] visited the Gardanibagh protest site.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2026-08-24 |title=Will firmly raise students' voices from streets to legislature: Tejashwi Yadav |url=https://theprint.in/india/will-firmly-raise-students-voices-from-streets-to-legislature-tejashwi-yadav/3023502/ |access-date=2026-08-25 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref>
* '''25 August 2026:''' Protesters marched towards the [[Chief Minister of Bihar]]’s residence, breaking security barricades.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bihar Police, Students Clash Over BPSC Exam Demands |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/bihar-police-clash-with-students-protesting-bpsc-exam-irregularities/20260825.htm |access-date=2026-08-25 |website=Rediff |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=2026-08-25 |title=Stone-pelting, lathi-charge, water cannons mark students’ protest over BPSC exams |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bihar/students-in-bihar-break-through-barricades-in-bid-to-gherao-cm-residence-police-use-water-cannons/article71387958.ece |access-date=2026-08-25 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> [[Bihar Police]] responded with water cannons and lathi charges, detained some protesters, and reported injuries from stone-pelting.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-08-25 |title=Students, cops face off in Patna during march to Raj Bhavan over Bihar civil services exam |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/patna-students-clash-with-police-break-barricades-during-protest-seeking-cancellation-of-70th-bpsc-exam-101787641259402.html |access-date=2026-08-25 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-08-25 |title=Bihar Students Protest: Tension In Patna As Police Lathi-charge, Use Water Cannons On Protestors |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/state/bihar-news-student-protest-break-through-barricades-in-gid-to-gherao-chief-minister-residence-police-use-water-cannons-several-students-detained-enn26082502976 |access-date=2026-08-25 |website=ETV Bharat News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Harsh |first=Himanshu |date=2026-08-25 |title=Dispute, domicile, and ‘dog’: What’s behind fresh student protests in Bihar |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/bihar-student-protest-patna-tre-4-bpsc-10848693/ |access-date=2026-08-25 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

== Government response ==
On 25 August 2026, the Chief Minister [[Samrat Choudhary]] announced monthly "Vidyarthi Sahyog Shivir" to address student grievances.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2026-08-25 |title=Bihar CM inaugurates monthly camp to address students' grievances |url=https://theprint.in/india/bihar-cm-inaugurates-monthly-camp-to-address-students-grievances/3024542/ |access-date=2026-08-25 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2026-08-25 |title=Bihar launches monthly Vidyarthi Sahyog Shivir to resolve student grievances |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/education/vidyarthi-sahyog-shivir-bihar-launches-monthly-camps-to-resolve-student-grievances/article71387659.ece |access-date=2026-08-25 |website=www.thehindubusinessline.com |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}
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[[Category:Education controversies in India]]
[[Category:August 2026 in India]]

2026 Patna student protests - Revision history

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