Hundreds of Sub-Inspector (Daroga) candidates clashed with police at JP Roundabout in central Patna on Thursday, 29 October 2026, breaking through barricades in a fierce demonstration against the abrupt cancellation of a written examination for 1,799 Sub-Inspector positions. Security forces eventually pushed back the core group of protesters and cleared the main intersection, but a large number of candidates remained gathered in surrounding areas, keeping authorities on high alert.

How the Clashes Unfolded

The confrontation erupted when police intercepted the advancing protesters to prevent them from entering restricted zones near the roundabout. Despite the pushback, the protest did not fully disperse — candidates held their ground in adjoining streets, sustaining pressure on law enforcement throughout the afternoon. This marks the second major demonstration by Sub-Inspector aspirants this month alone.

What Triggered the Protest

The unrest traces directly to an official order issued by the Bihar Police Subordinate Services Commission (BPSSC) on 23 September 2026. The Commission scrapped the main written examination — originally conducted in two shifts on 27 May 2026 — citing 'unavoidable reasons,' without elaborating publicly. The BPSSC stated that fresh examination dates would be announced separately, but offered no timeline, triggering immediate outrage among candidates who had already cleared multiple stages of the selection process.

Candidates Demand Immediate Reinstatement

Protesters are calling for the immediate withdrawal of the cancellation order, restoration of the previously declared results, and resumption of the hiring process without fresh examinations. Candidates accused the state government and recruitment authorities of 'deliberately harassing young job seekers,' arguing that months of rigorous preparation and successful performance across earlier stages have been rendered meaningless by the sudden annulment.

A Pattern of Disrupted Recruitment

This is not the first time aspirants have taken to the streets over this issue. On 5 October 2026, candidates launched a similar protest march from Gandhi Maidan toward the Chief Minister's residence and the BPSSC office; police intercepted that rally before it reached JP Roundabout. The recurrence of demonstrations underscores deepening frustration with Bihar's police recruitment process, which critics argue has repeatedly left thousands of aspirants in career limbo. Notably, competitive government job recruitment controversies have sparked similar protests across several states in recent years, reflecting broader anxieties over public-sector employment.

What Happens Next

The BPSSC has not yet announced revised examination dates, and no official response to the latest protest was issued by Thursday evening. With candidates vowing to continue their agitation, further demonstrations — and potential escalation — appear likely unless the authorities provide a concrete resolution roadmap in the coming days.