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The 70th Combined Preliminary Examination conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) was marred by chaos and allegations of a question paper leak at the Bapu Examination Centre in Patna. The incident, which unfolded on Friday, sparked widespread protests and raised serious questions about the integrity of the examination process. While the BPSC chairman vehemently denied any paper leak, the events at the Bapu Centre painted a picture of disorganization and heightened tension, leaving many candidates feeling frustrated and uncertain about the fairness of the exam.
The scheduled start time of 12 noon was delayed at the Bapu Centre, causing considerable anxiety among the candidates. Reports emerged of significant delays in the distribution of question papers, with some candidates claiming to have received their papers nearly an hour late. Furthermore, allegations of torn question papers fueled speculation about a potential leak, leading to increased unrest among the examinees. This triggered protests outside the examination centre, with demands for a re-examination and strict action against those responsible for the alleged leak. The situation escalated rapidly, requiring the intervention of Patna District Magistrate (DM) Chandrashekhar Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajiv Mishra, along with a significant police presence.
The situation became more volatile when a candidate protesting against the alleged leak was reportedly slapped by the Patna DM. This prompted immediate police intervention, and security was significantly heightened at the examination centre to control the escalating tensions. The DM, in his clarification, explained that while arrangements had been made for 12,000 candidates, a logistical issue arose when a box containing fewer question papers than the number of candidates in a particular hall was opened. This necessitated requesting additional question papers from another hall, causing further delays. The DM clarified that approximately 300-400 candidates chose to boycott the exam in protest, while the remaining candidates continued with the examination.
Despite the chaotic circumstances, there was a divergence of opinion among the candidates regarding the difficulty level of the question paper itself. Some candidates, including first-time examinees, found the questions relatively easy and attempted a significant number of questions. Their caution stemmed from the presence of negative marking. Others found the paper to be of average difficulty, citing factors like their own preparation levels and confusingly close dates mentioned within the questions. This highlights the varying experiences and perspectives among those who took the exam.
The examination, held across nearly 950 centres with approximately 4.83 lakh candidates, was conducted under what was described as tight security measures, including over 30,000 CCTV cameras, jammers, and other safeguards intended to ensure a fair and transparent process. The exam's single-sitting format, from 12 noon to 2 pm, allowed for close monitoring, aiming to address any potential irregularities. This emphasis on security underscores the BPSC's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the examination process, despite the incident at the Bapu Centre.
The BPSC chairman, Parmar Ravi Manubhai, resolutely denied the allegations of a paper leak, stating that the claim was entirely false and that no such leak occurred at any centre. He highlighted the large-scale nature of the examination, with 912 centres across the state, emphasizing that the disturbance was limited to a single centre. He also questioned the feasibility of a leak without the use of cell phones or internet access, further refuting the claims circulating about the paper going viral. The lack of complaints lodged with the commission further supported his assertion, but the controversy continues to generate significant discussion and concern regarding the reliability of the examination process.
The incident at the Bapu Examination Centre serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in large-scale examinations, particularly in the context of allegations of widespread malpractice. The conflicting accounts and differing experiences among the candidates underscore the complexities of the situation. While the BPSC chairman’s denial is significant, the concerns raised by the candidates and the chaos witnessed at the centre raise serious questions about the efficacy of security measures and the transparency of the entire process. Further investigation into the events of that day is crucial to ensuring the integrity of the BPSC examinations and the confidence of future candidates in the fairness of the system. The incident highlights the need for robust measures to prevent and swiftly address any perceived or actual irregularities, thereby maintaining the public trust in the credibility of the BPSC's role in the selection of public servants.
Source: BPSC (prelims): Chaos erupts at exam centre amid allegations of paper leak