Thousands of teaching aspirants in Bihar are protesting a significant reduction in vacancies for the state’s Teacher Recruitment Exam (TRE-4). The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) manages these crucial recruitments. This development has intensified a major political debate across the state, particularly as the 2025 Assembly elections approach.
Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav has publicly accused the ruling Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. Yadav claims the government has failed Bihar’s youth by drastically cutting the number of previously announced teaching positions. This accusation positions job creation as a central election issue.
RJD Alleges Betrayal of Youth
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav used his platform on X (formerly Twitter) to criticize the government’s actions. Yadav highlighted his party’s track record, stating his 17-month government appointed over 2 lakh teachers under TRE-1 and TRE-2. He asserted these large-scale recruitments were completed without any instances of paper leaks.
Furthermore, Yadav noted that his previous administration initiated the recruitment process for an additional 1.30 lakh posts . He then pledged to launch the TRE-4 recruitment process “immediately” if the RJD forms the next government. This promise directly contrasts with the current government’s revised plans and delays.
The controversy stems from a notable shift in the government’s commitment. In March, the new administration announced TRE-4 would soon fill 1.27 lakh teacher positions . However, this figure was abruptly reduced by 1 lakh posts , leaving only 27,000 vacancies. This drastic cut ignited widespread outrage among thousands of job seekers.
Aspirants Mobilize Widespread Protests
The vacancy reduction triggered extensive protests by candidates across Bihar. Demonstrations occurred in multiple cities, including the state capital Patna. Social media platforms, particularly X, became a key forum for their collective voice. Aspirants amplified slogans such as “TRE-4 bhagao” to demand immediate action, transparency, and a faster recruitment timeline.
Adding to the discontent are concerns about other examination schedules. The Bihar State Eligibility Test (STET) 2025 is set for October 14 . Aspirants claim that the overlapping exam dates and persistent delays in TRE-4 signal administrative inefficiency within the Nitish government, further fueling graduate frustrations.
High Unemployment Fuels Political Stakes
Bihar grapples with a significant unemployment rate, which exceeds 7 percent . This challenge is particularly acute among the state’s university graduates. Consequently, the TRE-4 recruitment issue has rapidly become a central political point of contention and a key factor in the upcoming elections.
The RJD’s strong focus on the teacher recruitment drive is widely interpreted as a direct strategy to attract Bihar’s youth voters. The state’s electorate includes approximately 15 million young voters , many of whom are aspiring teachers. Their decisions will heavily influence the outcome of the 2025 Assembly elections, making the TRE-4 controversy critically important.
Public sentiment is clearly reflected in online discussions. One X user, directly addressing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, posted, “Where’s that tweet promising swift TRE-4? Elections are here, vacancies aren’t!” Another comment underscored the demand for concrete results: “Jobs, not promises, will decide Bihar’s future this time.” As election campaigning intensifies, the resolution of the TRE-4 issue remains a significant determinant for these crucial youth demographics.