New Delhi, April 23, 2025: In a significant setback to thousands of protesting aspirants, the Supreme Court of India on Tuesday rejected pleas to cancel the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) 70th Preliminary Examination, dismissing allegations of a paper leak and irregularities. The apex court’s verdict confirms that the BPSC 70th Mains Examination will proceed as scheduled, putting an end to months of uncertainty for candidates across Bihar.
Students’ Movement Draws National Attention
The controversy around the BPSC Prelims 2025 began shortly after the exam was conducted on December 13, 2024, and January 4, 2025. Allegations of question paper leaks, unfair practices, and even audio clips of answers being broadcast over loudspeakers at some centers triggered massive protests across the state. Students, coaching institutes, and civil society groups joined hands, calling for the exam to be scrapped and reconducted.
The protests gained momentum when popular educator Khan Sir lent his support, galvanizing aspirants across Bihar and making it a widely discussed issue.
Legal Battle Reaches Supreme Court
The matter initially reached the Patna High Court, where all petitions seeking cancellation of the prelims were dismissed. Unwilling to give up, the aspirants knocked on the doors of the Supreme Court, expecting relief and a fresh examination.
However, the Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan took a firm stance during the hearing. Justice Manmohan remarked that the judiciary is witnessing a worrying trend where every competitive exam is being dragged to court, which is stalling the recruitment process across sectors.
“Everyone is playing with each other’s insecurities. Examinations are not reaching logical conclusions anymore. There’s a lack of trust in the process,” said Justice Manmohan during the hearing.
Court Rejects Leak Claims Due to Lack of Solid Proof
Senior advocates Anjana Prakash and Colin Gonsalves, representing the petitioners, argued that the question paper had been leaked in advance and that 24 out of the exam’s questions matched those provided by coaching centers. They also cited video evidence allegedly showing answers being announced via loudspeakers at certain centers.
But the bench found no substantial digital proof of a widespread malpractice, noting that the evidence submitted was limited to one exam center — Bapu Examination Complex — where a re-test had already been conducted.
The court added that matching questions with coaching materials is not unusual, as many mock papers are designed in sync with official exam patterns.
Recalling his own academic experience, Justice Manmohan quipped:
“Back in college, we used to buy the ‘Duggi’ outside Delhi’s Campus Law Centre. Almost 90% of the questions in the exam used to come from that booklet.”
What Now for Aspirants?
With the Supreme Court’s ruling, it is now official that the BPSC 70th Mains Examination will be held on its pre-announced date. This verdict ends the months-long legal and social agitation but has left many aspirants disappointed and disillusioned with the system.
For others, especially those who cleared the prelims without controversy, it brings clarity and relief, allowing them to focus on the next stage of the examination.
Background of the Controversy
The BPSC 70th Prelims, conducted in late 2024, quickly became embroiled in allegations of malpractices. Protests intensified in January and February 2025, with students sitting on indefinite dharnas, burning effigies, and submitting petitions to state authorities.
The demand was simple: Cancel the prelims and hold a re-exam. But with both the Patna High Court and now the Supreme Court rejecting these demands, the movement has effectively hit a legal wall.
While the Supreme Court has offered its final word, the episode reflects deep-rooted trust issues in India’s examination system. It has also sparked a wider debate on exam reforms, transparency, and the role of digital evidence in courtrooms. For now, aspirants are urged to move ahead with their preparation for the mains. However, the call for systemic reform remains louder than ever.
