Patna High Court dismissed the petitions demanding to cancel and conduct a fresh BPSC exam. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

Patna High Court on Friday (March 28, 2025) dismissed the petitions demanding to cancel and conduct a fresh exam of Integrated 70th Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC)-Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination (CCE).

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Massive protests were carried out in the State by the BPSC student supported by political parties for weeks alleging paper leak and irregularities in the exam which was held at 912 centres on December 13, 2024, across State.

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On January 23, the Commission had declared the prelims result in which a total of 21,581 candidates had successfully cleared it. Total 3,28,990 candidates had taken this examination.

During the exam many candidates had boycotted alleging they did not get the question paper on time at Bapu Exam Centre (BEC) in Patna. Later the Commission cancelled the BEC exam and conducted the re-exam on January 4th at 22 centres. 5,943 eligible candidates appeared for the re-exam on January 4.

Many candidates have been demanding that the exams of not just one centre but all the centres should be cancelled and re-exam should take place alleging that irregularities took place at all the centres.

Acting Chief Justice of the Patna High Court Ashutosh Kumar delivered the order directing the Commission shall carry out the Mains Examination, ensuring that the process is peaceful, fair and transparent.

The Mains exam will be held between April 25 to 30 as per the time table declared by the BPSC. 

A petition was filed in the Patna High by Pappu Kumar and others. Not only this, multiple civil writ petitions were filed against the BPSC regarding the alleged irregularities in the prelims exam.

Petitions claimed systemic failures, logistical mismanagement, and potential paper leaks during the examination held on December 13, 2024, and January 4, 2025.The petitioners had sought cancellation of the examination results and a re-examination to ensure fairness and transparency.

In the response, BPSC asserted that the examination was conducted fairly, with minimal complaints and that issues were addressed promptly and called the exam transparent.

In the order, the court found no substantial evidence of widespread malpractice or systemic flaws affecting the integrity of the examination. It acknowledged disturbances at the BEC but ruled that the Commission’s decision to conduct a limited re-examination was justified.

The court also emphasised the importance of maintaining public confidence in the examination process while ensuring fairness for all candidates.

The court dismissed all petitions, affirming the BPSC’s examination process while acknowledging the need for improvements in future conduct. The BPSC has been urged to implement the court’s recommendations to enhance transparency and integrity in the examination process.

The court suggested the establishment of a permanent high-level committee to oversee examination security and management. Its recommendations include implementing comprehensive CCTV surveillance, adopting advanced technology for data security, and ensuring strict adherence to SOPs.

The court highlighted the need for a robust grievance redressal mechanism for candidates to report irregularities during the examination process.