For lakhs of young people across Bihar, competitive examinations are not merely tests. They are lifelines. In a state where private sector opportunities remain limited, a government job represents dignity, stability and social mobility. For students preparing in cramped lodges and coaching centres across Patna and other districts, cracking an examination is often seen as the only route out of poverty and uncertainty. That is why every cancelled examination in Bihar feels less like an administrative failure and more like the collapse of an entire generation's faith in merit.
Recent Cancellations and Irregularities
On May 1, the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) cancelled two major recruitment examinations — the Assistant Education Development Officer (AEDO) and Assistant Public Sanitary and Waste Management Officer (APSWMO) examinations — conducted in multiple shifts during April 2026. The commission cited serious irregularities, impersonation, cheating attempts and the use of Bluetooth devices at several centres. Although investigators did not officially confirm a paper leak, the commission said the examinations were cancelled to maintain transparency and protect genuine candidates. At least 32 candidates were debarred, one agency was blacklisted and several FIRs were lodged. More than two dozen people, including aspirants and biometric attendance employees, were arrested from districts like Gaya, Nalanda, Munger, Sheikhupura and Begusarai. For lakhs of aspirants, however, the shock carried a grim familiarity.
The latest BPSC controversy was followed by the cancellation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) 2026 amid allegations of paper leaks and organised malpractice. For many students, it revived memories of the NEET-UG 2024 scandal, which had also originated in Patna and exposed allegations of solved question papers being sold for lakhs of rupees.
Endless Uncertainty
Over the last three years, Bihar's examination system has repeatedly found itself at the centre of leaks and cheating scandals. In October 2023, the Bihar Police Constable recruitment examination was cancelled after question papers leaked on the very first day and reports surfaced of widespread cheating using electronic devices. More than 18 lakh applicants were affected. In March 2024, the BPSC cancelled the Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE-3.0), conducted for over 87,000 posts, after allegations of paper leaks emerged within hours of the examination. More than five lakh candidates were impacted. In December 2024, the Community Health Officer recruitment examination conducted by the Bihar State Health Society was also cancelled over similar allegations. Bihar's Teacher Eligibility Test was similarly scrapped that year under “unavoidable circumstances”. Each cancellation has widened the trust deficit between aspirants and institutions.
Behind every examination hall sits a family carrying enormous financial and emotional burdens. Parents borrow money, sell jewellery and cut household expenses to support coaching fees, hostel rent and travel costs. Many aspirants spend years away from home preparing for a single opportunity. A city-based doctor, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he had already spent nearly Rs 70,000 on travel, accommodation and examination expenses before the latest cancellation. “Rejoining coaching has added fresh financial strain. The cancellation has also disrupted personal lives in other ways. Many students had planned well-deserved vacations or family time after the exam, only for these plans to be scrapped,” he said. The emotional toll is equally severe. For many in Bihar's lower middle class, a government job is the difference between respect and humiliation.
An Organised Industry
Academics and investigators believe Bihar's examination crisis is no longer about isolated incidents. They describe it as a sophisticated cheating industry involving middlemen, technology-driven malpractice and weak oversight. “Paper leaks have unfortunately become an organised business,” a senior academic said. N K Choudhary, former principal of Patna College, said, “Corruption has increased at every level in the country and the system is unable to stop it. Everything is happening for money. The system has been designed with so many loopholes that people easily take advantage of them. When the same set of people remain in key positions for years, vested interests develop,” Choudhary said. He added, “Corruption has become the rule rather than the exception. There is no accountability and no real deterrence. The only people who ultimately suffer are the common man, the job-seekers, and the sincere aspirants.” Former Bihar director general of police Abhayanand described the recurring leaks as evidence of systematic failure. “The system is a complete failure. If a house catches fire once, it may be an accident, but if it catches fire repeatedly, then it is clearly intentional. When the same networks and individuals keep surfacing in case after case — like Sanjeev Mukhiya and others — it shows the leaks are not accidental but systematic,” Abhayanand said. “At the root of all this is black money and rampant corruption. Heads must roll — especially the big heads. Only strong and decisive action can bring accountability and end this menace,” he added.
At the centre of several investigations stands Nalanda's Sanjeev Kumar alias Sanjeev Mukhiya alias Lutan, accused of operating one of eastern India's most notorious paper leak networks. Wanted in multiple examination scams across Bihar and other states, Mukhiya was arrested by the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) in Patna's Danapur area on April 25, 2025, after remaining absconding for nearly 11 months. EOU DIG Manavjit Singh Dhillon said Mukhiya was accused in six active paper leak cases in Bihar and one in Jharkhand. “He operated a vast network with dedicated associates handling different examinations. Chargesheets have already been filed in five out of six cases in Bihar, including teacher constable recruitment examination and NEET UG 2017,” Dhillon said.
Can Faith in Merit Be Restored?
The BPSC and the state government have promised stricter safeguards, including AI-based monitoring and enhanced surveillance systems. Education minister Mithilesh Tiwari said stringent steps would be taken to ensure transparency in competitive examinations. “Under the government of PM Narendra Modi, no one will be spared. All those involved in corruption and criminal activities will be traced, investigated and brought to justice by the police,” Mithilesh said. Despite repeated setbacks, Bihar's aspirants continue to fight. Ravi Prakash, who resumed preparation within days of the latest cancellation, said, “They can cancel exams, but they cannot cancel our dreams.” Student activist Saurav Kumar said the crisis would continue unless accountability reached the highest levels. “Until the state and national authorities effectively dismantle the malpractice networks and restore faith through foolproof systems, the aspirations of talented youth will remain under constant shadow,” Saurav said.
