Patna: Hundreds of candidates aspiring for teaching posts under the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE-4) staged a protest in Patna on Monday, alleging delays and reduction in vacancies by the govt. The protest began at Patna College and culminated at J P Golambar, where tensions flared after protesters attempted to breach police barricades.The march started around 11am with candidates assembling at Patna College carrying placards bearing slogans. Raising anti-govt slogans, the protesters marched towards J P Golambar via Kargil Chowk near Gandhi Maidan. Police tried to negotiate with the demonstrators, but the situation escalated after the march was stopped at barricades.Scuffles broke out when some candidates attempted to push through or climb over the barricades, creating a chaotic scene. Although no major injuries were reported, the situation remained tense for more than two hours before the protesters dispersed.DSP (law and order) Krishna Murari Prasad said the situation was brought under control. “After negotiation, the teacher aspirants agreed to send a four-member delegation to the education minister’s office, where they submitted their memorandum of demands. No one was arrested or detained during the protest,” he told TOI.The protesters said their agitation was triggered by the BPSC’s recently released examination calendar for 2026, which includes tentative dates for over 50 recruitment examinations such as the 70th, 71st and 72nd Combined Competitive Examinations (CCE), judicial services and technical posts. The absence of TRE-4 from the calendar has fuelled allegations that the govt is deliberately delaying teacher recruitment.Candidates alleged that the initial promise of more than 1 lakh teaching posts was later reduced to around 26,000, with no concrete action taken despite repeated assurances. “The govt is making empty promises,” one protester said. Another said the agitation would continue until vacancies were announced. “We will surround the assembly and will not let up. The public elected him. We are not afraid of such a minister,” the protester said.
