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| Date | 18 August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Location | Patna, Bihar, India |
| Type | Examination scandal |
| Cause | Paper leak and irregularities |
| Participants | Students, Bihar Police |
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.[1]
Background[edit | edit source]
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.[2]
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.[3]
Timeline of protests[edit | edit source]
- 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.[4] 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.[3] Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav visited the Gardanibagh protest site.[5]
- 25 August 2026: Protesters marched towards the Chief Minister of Bihar’s residence, breaking security barricades.[6][7] Bihar Police responded with water cannons and lathi charges, detained some protesters, and reported injuries from stone-pelting.[8][9][10]
Government response[edit | edit source]
On 25 August 2026, the Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced monthly "Vidyarthi Sahyog Shivir" to address student grievances.[11][12]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Harsh, Himanshu (25 August 2026). "Dispute, domicile, and 'dog': What's behind fresh student protests in Bihar". The Indian Express. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ Tewary, Amarnath (2 January 2025). "BPSC row: As protests continue, some candidates oppose re-exam for all as 'gross injustice'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "BPSC released TRE-4 notification for 32,388 posts; why students are still protesting?". The Indian Express. 19 August 2026. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ "Bihar protesters seek teacher job exam notification in 24 hours, threaten to gherao minister's house". The New Indian Express. 18 August 2026. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ "Will firmly raise students' voices from streets to legislature: Tejashwi Yadav". ThePrint. 24 August 2026. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ "Bihar Police, Students Clash Over BPSC Exam Demands". Rediff. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ "Stone-pelting, lathi-charge, water cannons mark students' protest over BPSC exams". The Hindu. 25 August 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ "Students, cops face off in Patna during march to Raj Bhavan over Bihar civil services exam". Hindustan Times. 25 August 2026. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ "Bihar Students Protest: Tension In Patna As Police Lathi-charge, Use Water Cannons On Protestors". ETV Bharat News. 25 August 2026. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ Harsh, Himanshu (25 August 2026). "Dispute, domicile, and 'dog': What's behind fresh student protests in Bihar". The Indian Express. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ "Bihar CM inaugurates monthly camp to address students' grievances". ThePrint. 25 August 2026. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ "Bihar launches monthly Vidyarthi Sahyog Shivir to resolve student grievances". www.thehindubusinessline.com. 25 August 2026. Retrieved 25 August 2026.