Patna: The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has come under mounting pressure after the fourth phase of the Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE-4) was left out of its newly released 2026 examination calendar, triggering anger among thousands of aspirants awaiting fresh appointments in government schools.
The commission’s schedule outlines tentative dates for more than 50 examinations and recruitments, including the 70th, 71st and 72nd Combined Competitive Examinations, judicial services, assistant prosecution officer posts and several technical and administrative vacancies. It also mentions positions such as special teachers and assistant education development officers. However, the absence of any reference to TRE-4 has raised questions about the state’s commitment to teacher hiring.
Candidates say the uncertainty has left their careers in limbo, with many preparing for the examination for nearly two years. Student leader Dilip Kumar is due to address a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, where he is expected to announce an agitation strategy. Aspirants allege that the recruitment round has been deliberately postponed, worsening frustration among unemployed graduates seeking teaching posts.
Protests are also being planned on the ground. Khushboo Pathak, leader of the All Bihar Student Union, has called for a large demonstration in Patna on 9 February. The march will begin at Patna College and proceed towards the state assembly, as candidates demand a clear timeline and formal notification for TRE-4. Pathak said repeated delays have eroded trust, with “no concrete action” despite long waits.
The controversy has also revived concerns over vacancy figures. While the government had earlier indicated that more than 100,000 teaching posts would be filled, the number was later reduced to around 26,000. Aspirants fear that even these revised targets may not materialise, accusing officials of making announcements that fail to translate into appointments.
Responding to the criticism, the education minister said nearly 270,000 teachers had been recruited across the state in the past two years through established procedures. He attributed the hold-up in TRE-4 to election-related commitments and pending roster clearances, adding that recruitment for about 25,000 posts could move forward once administrative formalities are completed. For now, however, the lack of clarity has left thousands of candidates waiting and preparing to take their protest to the streets.
