The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) 70th Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) 2024 preliminary exam was held on December 13. While the exam took place without issues at most centres, a few candidates have raised concerns over an alleged paper leak and chaotic scenes at one exam centre in Patna.
Exam Details:
- The BPSC 70th preliminary exam was conducted in a single shift, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, across 912 centres in Bihar.
- Negative marking is applicable for incorrect answers.
- Only those who pass the preliminary exam will be eligible to appear for the main exam, the dates for which will be announced later.
- A total of 2,035 vacancies are to be filled through this recruitment process.
Allegations of Paper Leak and Protests:
- Reports emerged from one exam centre in Patna, where a group of 300-400 candidates reportedly boycotted the exam, alleging a paper leak. They claimed that the question paper had gone viral on the internet.
- Candidates at the Bapu Pariksha Bhavan in Patna reported hearing noises and disruptions inside the exam hall. One aspirant stated that unidentified individuals entered the hall, snatched papers, and threatened candidates not to attempt any further questions.
- BPSC Chairman Parmar Ravi Manubhai responded to the allegations, refuting claims of a paper leak. He explained that the disturbance happened after all candidates had entered the exam hall, and there was no way for those inside to know about the supposed leak.
Other Exam Details:
- The exam was conducted in a single paper format, and scores will not be normalised since the test was held in one shift.
- Candidates from several centres also reported delays in receiving their OMR sheets and question booklets. Some claimed that the question paper was distributed late, and in one case, a torn packet seal was noticed.
Government Response:
- While protests were sparked by these allegations, the local government has not confirmed any re-examination at this time. The Bihar Congress also reacted to the unrest, posting a video that showed Patna’s District Magistrate interacting with the protesting candidates.
