BPSC exam row: Patna HC directs Bihar govt and BPSC to respond to petitions on CCE exam controversy; next hearing on January 31

The Patna High Court has instructed the Bihar government and the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) to file counter affidavits in response to multiple petitions seeking the cancellation of the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) conducted in December 2024. The court has scheduled the next hearing for January 31, 2025, and ruled that the results of the preliminary exam will be subject to the final decision on these petitions.

Justice Arvind Singh Chandel, presiding over the matter, stated: "After hearing senior counsel for both parties and considering the facts and arguments, I am not inclined to grant interim relief at this stage. However, detailed counter affidavits must be submitted by January 30, 2025. The results of the preliminary examination conducted by the commission will depend on the outcome of these petitions."

The petitions filed in the Patna High Court challenge the legitimacy of the CCE held on December 13, 2024, citing irregularities and alleged malpractice, including a paper leak. Earlier, the Supreme Court declined to entertain a writ petition challenging the same exam and directed the petitioner to approach the Patna High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution.

The petitioners’ counsel argued that the examination, conducted across 912 centers in Bihar, was marred by serious issues. Specific allegations included:

• A question paper leak, with the paper being circulated on social media.
• Failure to provide question papers to some candidates.
• Reported irregularities at the Bapu Pariksha Parisar in Patna and 28 other centers.
• Non-functional jammers and last-minute changes to examination centers.
• Failure to adhere to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for conducting the exam. The Advocate General representing the Bihar government refuted the allegations raised by the petitioners. Despite dismissing claims of a paper leak, the state government ordered a re-examination for over 12,000 candidates who appeared at a specific center in Patna, acknowledging irregularities at that location.

The court has made it clear that the outcome of the CCE preliminary examination will hinge on the resolution of the petitions. Further deliberations are expected during the hearing on January 31, 2025.