Teacher aspirants staged a strong protest for TRE4 in Patna on May 8, 2026. Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui
By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Police resorted to a lathi charge on teacher aspirants in Patna on Friday, leaving several injured, as protests intensified over delays in the notification for the fourth phase of the Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE-4).
The aspirants had taken to the streets alleging undue delay in the release of the recruitment advertisement. Protesters accused the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) of misleading nearly 13 lakh candidates.
According to official figures, a total of 46,882 posts are to be filled under TRE-4, including 9,082 in secondary schools, 16,774 in higher secondary schools, 10,778 in primary schools, and 8,583 in middle schools, along with vacancies in other departments. The examination is tentatively scheduled between 22 and 27 September. However, candidates claim that the notification has yet to be issued.
Reports indicate that the aspirants marched from Patna Science College to JP Golambar and were proceeding towards the BPSC office to stage a gherao when police intervened and used force to disperse the crowd. During the protest, student leader Dilip Kumar was detained by the police.
Before his detention, Dilip Kumar stated that the patience of lakhs of candidates awaiting the fourth phase of teacher recruitment had run out. “We have been waiting for over two years. The Education Department has repeatedly misled us regarding vacancies. The BPSC Controller had assured that the notification would be issued by April 25, but the deadline has passed,” he said.
He further alleged that the commission was jeopardising students’ futures to conceal its own failures. Referring to irregularities in the AEDO examination, which was later cancelled, Kumar said the commission cited fairness as the reason but failed to acknowledge internal lapses.
Kumar added that an earlier examination calendar had scheduled the TRE-4 exam for August 24, 2025, which did not materialise. A revised calendar now mentions September, but uncertainty continues. “It is already 8 May, and there is no clarity. The recruitment process has been pending for two years,” he said.
Another aspirant, Abhishek, highlighted the mounting financial burden on candidates preparing for competitive exams in Patna. “Expenses such as rent, coaching fees and food are steadily rising. Many parents are no longer in a position to support prolonged preparation, forcing some students to abandon their studies and return home,” he said.
Responding to the agitation, Bihar Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari, who assumed office recently, appealed for dialogue. He urged protestors to send a delegation for discussions, stating that he believes in resolving disputes through communication.
“I have been a teacher myself and understand the concerns of students. No recruitment will be stalled. A meeting regarding TRE-4 will be held soon, and the notification will be issued shortly. A solution will be found within a week, and arbitrariness will not be tolerated,” Tiwari assured.
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