BPSC hit with question paper leak claims after chaos in Patna centre, chairman denies

After chaos erupted in a Patna centre during the BPSC 70th CCE exam on Friday, claims arose of a question paper leak. The BPSC chairman has refuted the rumours and a probe is underway.

In Short

• BPSC refutes claims of question paper leak in 70th CCE exam on Friday
• Patna exam centre sees chaos, boycott by 300-400 students
• Police investigating alleged conspiracy and disruptions

Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has dismissed allegations of a question paper leak during the 70th combined competitive examination (CCE) held on Friday. Social media posts claiming the leak at the BPSC 70th CEE exam and protests by students at one exam centre in Patna sparked controversy.

However, BPSC Chairman Ravi Manu Bhai S Parmar called it "mischief," asserting the exam was conducted fairly across 911 of 912 centres.

CHAOS AT PATNA CENTRE FOR BPSC EXAM

The trouble began at the Bapu Examination Centre in Patna, where students alleged that question papers and OMR sheets had been leaked. The aspirants also claimed mismanagement, including delayed distribution of question papers and insufficient seating arrangements.

Around 300-400 students boycotted the exam, leading to commotion at the centre.

As the protests escalated, Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh intervened but was caught on camera slapping a student outside the centre.

Singh later clarified that it was unintentional. He noted that the disruption caused a delay in distributing question papers in a few examination halls due to a shortage of booklets.

An additional examination superintendent, Ram Iqbal Singh, tragically suffered a cardiac arrest during the incident and later died at the hospital. A female candidate also fainted at the centre but recovered after receiving medical attention.

Following the exam, a large crowd of students gathered at Buxar railway station, struggling to board trains to return home. Many criticised the state government for not arranging special trains despite knowing the large turnout.

BPSC CHAIRMAN RESPONDS

Chairman Parmar strongly denied any question paper leak. “The examination was conducted fairly in 911 centres. At one centre, some candidates snatched question papers and claimed a leak, which amounts to public property looting. Police action will follow against those involved in this conspiracy,” he said.

He emphasised that mobile phones were banned inside exam centres, raising doubts about how rumours spread.

Parmar also confirmed the exam would not be cancelled, rejecting demands from some students and political figures.

PROBE UNDERWAY

The Bihar Police’s Economic Offences Unit is investigating the matter, reviewing CCTV footage and other evidence. FIRs have been lodged against miscreants who disrupted traffic and caused chaos outside the Bapu Examination Centre.

Patna Police issued a statement addressing the chaos at the Bapu Examination Centre during the BPSC exam, saying that around 1:30 pm, 50-60 unidentified individuals created a commotion outside the main gate, disrupting traffic and affecting ambulances, school buses, and commuters.

The noise also disrupted the ongoing exam. FIRs have been filed against the miscreants at Agamkuan police station.

TEJASWI YADAV SLAMS BIHAR ADMINISTRATION

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has criticised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his "silence" over alleged irregularities in the BPSC 70th CCE 2024 exam. Accusing the government of orchestrating “state-sponsored” question paper leaks, Yadav declared that Bihar’s youth would “show a mirror to NDA leaders” in the 2025 assembly polls.

Yadav slammed the administration for police action against job aspirants protesting the alleged leaks, stating, “This government has failed to conduct any examination without paper leaks, be it Class 10, 12, police constable recruitment, or BPSC tests. This is not the government of the people.”

The BPSC 70th CCE prelims controversy has raised questions about exam management and student grievances. With investigations ongoing, the commission remains firm that the integrity of the exam remains intact.

(With inputs from Shashi Bhushan and PTI)