Postponement of Teacher Recruitment Applications

The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has deferred the commencement of the online application process for the Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE) 4.0, through which 32,388 teacher posts are to be filled in government schools across the state, as reported by The Indian Express. The application window was scheduled to open on September 1, but the commission has postponed the process due to "administrative reasons." A revised schedule for registration and submission of applications will be announced, according to the outlet.

The recruitment drive, notified under Advertisement No. 14/2026, covers teaching posts for Classes 1 to 12, including primary teachers for Classes 1 to 5, middle school teachers for Classes 6 to 8, secondary teachers for Classes 9 to 10, and senior secondary teachers for Classes 11 to 12. Of the total posts, 3,847 are for primary teachers, 8,563 for middle school teachers, 3,877 for secondary teachers, and 16,101 for senior secondary teachers, as detailed by The Indian Express.

Meanwhile, The Times of India reported that the BPSC is likely to start the online application process from September 21, 2026, after necessary amendments are made to the revised advertisement. The outlet also noted that candidates will be able to apply through the official BPSC website, with the application fee set at Rs 100 for all categories. Eligibility criteria, as per the report, include educational qualifications ranging from Class 12 to postgraduation, teacher-training qualifications such as Ed or Ed, and age limits varying between 18-37 years for primary and middle school posts and 21-37 years for other posts.

Government's Rationale and Single-Exam Decision

Bihar Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari, speaking to ANI, attributed the postponement to the need for a unified single-test pattern, following direct intervention from the state leadership. He said, "The BPSC is making full preparations. The Chief Minister intervened following students' demands, and it was decided to conduct a single exam instead of two. Since the number of candidates is very high and the BPSC requires time for preparations, the exam has been postponed. They will announce the dates once preparations are complete."

Tiwari also addressed critics, stating, "I have little to say to those politicising this matter, but all of this is being done for the better. No one should rush this process; if we want an exam that is transparent and free of irregularities, the BPSC must be given adequate time."

In a related development, Samrat Choudhary, a BJP leader, announced, "The government has been serious about the students' demands from the very beginning. Now, a decision has been taken regarding the students' demands that this year's TRE-4 examination will be conducted in a single phase. Along with this, 9 other important decisions have also been made." The state government has also constituted a 'Special Expert Committee on Examination Reforms' chaired by a judge of the Patna High Court, which will hear students' complaints, as reported by ANI. Additionally, the Bihar Education Department has decided to initiate action for starting recruitment for the post of Librarian, according to the same source.

Protests and Allegations

The postponement comes amid protests by teacher aspirants over several aspects of the recruitment process, including the examination pattern and negative marking, as reported by The Indian Express. On Saturday, members of the Azad Samaj Party (Kanshiram) and the Bhim Army staged a protest at Gandhi Maidan in Patna over alleged irregularities in the BPSC examination, according to ANI. Barricades and police personnel were deployed at the site, and protesters announced a march to the Raj Bhavan.

A protester told ANI, "The demand is based on the fact that rampant corruption took place during the BPSC examination. We demand that the state government immediately dismiss the BPSC Chairman, constitute an inquiry committee to investigate the matter, and immediately halt the training of the candidates currently undergoing it."

Another protester alleged discriminatory treatment, saying, "Our demand concerns the discriminatory treatment—akin to untouchability—meted out to students and young people regarding the BPSC; a bias favouring the wealthy over the poor has been evident, and the results themselves appear to have been rigged. The BJP government intends to keep the poor impoverished, preventing them from advancing. That is why we are marching to the Raj Bhavan today; we will not leave until the exam process is revoked. Furthermore, we demand the resignation of the Education Minister."

ANI also reported that police had deployed water cannons a day earlier to disperse students marching towards Raj Bhavan and the Chief Minister's residence.