Patna, May 8: In a recent incident, police resorted to lathicharge on candidates demanding the release of the Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE) 4.0 notification from the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). Images from the scene show candidates being chased and beaten by police, with reports of injuries, including a woman candidate who was trampled.
The candidates had planned to march from Patna College to the BPSC office this morning but were stopped by police, leading to the violent dispersal. This marks the first lathicharge on students since the formation of the new government in Bihar. Candidates have faced similar police action in the past while protesting for the same recruitment notification.
Demand for 46,000 Job Notifications
The candidates are pressing for the notification of 46,000 teaching positions, with the last TRE-3 recruitment conducted in 2024. Since then, there has been a growing demand for a new notification, but the commission has yet to release one. The TRE is expected to facilitate the recruitment of 27,000 teachers in the state.
Former Education Minister Sunil Kumar had previously stated in September 2025 that over 26,000 vacancies would be announced for TRE-4, promising that the vacancies would be sent to the BPSC within a few days. However, the recruitment process has not yet commenced, even after the new government took office. The new Education Minister, Mithilesh Tiwari, assured that the issues raised by the protesting candidates would be addressed promptly.
TRE-4 Missing from Exam Calendar, Candidates Outraged
On February 2, the BPSC released a calendar for all competitive examinations scheduled for 2026, notably omitting any mention of TRE-4. This exclusion has sparked further protests among candidates. BPSC Secretary Satyaprakash Sharma clarified that the commission has not received any recommendations from the Bihar government, which is why TRE-4 was not included in the exam calendar. He stated that once the government sends the notification, it will be incorporated into the examination schedule.
New Domicile Policy to be Implemented
For the first time, TRE-4 will implement a domicile policy reserving approximately 85% of seats for local candidates. The remaining 15% will be available for residents of other states and those from Bihar who have completed their matriculation and intermediate education in other states. This policy aims to provide more opportunities for local youth to become teachers, addressing previous concerns about candidates from outside Bihar occupying a significant number of positions.