Candidates preparing for teaching positions and administrative services in Bihar have received major updates regarding the upcoming schedule. Amid ongoing student protests across the region, the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) addressed the media in a press conference. The commission's examination controller, Rajesh Kumar, stated that the highly anticipated TRE 4 exam could be conducted in December or January. The selection process will now follow a two-stage format consisting of preliminary and main examinations, with both tiers featuring objective-type questions.
The press conference was called in response to widespread agitation concerning the fourth phase of teacher recruitment and the 70th civil services examination. Addressing a query regarding the assistant engineer recruitment case, Rajesh Kumar Singh noted that the commission cannot take any procedural action to release related results until the ongoing court litigation reaches a final resolution.
Clarifications on the Two-Stage Examination Structure
Addressing the criticism surrounding the implementation of a two-stage examination, the exam controller pointed out that UPSC, multiple state commissions, and various states across the country conduct examinations in two to three stages. He added that following the NEET UG examination, the Radhakrishnan Committee had also recommended adopting a two-stage testing model.
Refuting various misconceptions circulating about the fourth phase of teacher recruitment, the official emphasized that the commission is not the first institution to implement a preliminary and main exam structure. He clarified that this decision was adopted based on specific recommendations received from the Economic Offences Unit and other investigative agencies.
Addressing Negative Marking and Medium Biases
Regarding concerns raised about negative marking, the commission clarified that negative marking is currently implemented across all competitive examinations and remains uniform for everyone, creating no disadvantage.
Dismissing allegations that Hindi-medium candidates receive lower scores, the official questioned how critics could access such data when the commission itself does not track it. He explained that the application form does not ask candidates to specify the language medium they will use for the exam, rendering claims of bias against Hindi speakers entirely baseless.
Evaluation Guidelines and Timeline for TRE 4
On the grading process, the official mentioned that there is no restriction against awarding more than 60 percent marks, though answer sheets exceeding this threshold are re-examined by a head examiner to ensure accuracy.
Regarding the exact schedule for the TRE-4 examination, the commission stated that a definitive date cannot be announced yet because the total number of applicants remains unknown. The final schedule will be determined based on applicant volume once the application window closes on September 30. Furthermore, the commission reiterated that all future examinations conducted by the body will uniformly follow the two-stage format.
