Bihar's Political Science Teacher Crisis: Over 150 Recruits Stuck in Posting Limbo
In a stark contradiction to the soaring popularity of political science in Bihar's higher education institutions, the state is grappling with a severe shortage of qualified teachers in this discipline. Despite hundreds of students enrolling annually, more than 150 newly recruited assistant professors have been left in bureaucratic limbo for over eight months, awaiting their official postings.
Recruitment Process and Delays
The Bihar State University Service Commission (BSUSC) initiated this recruitment drive back in 2020, advertising for assistant professor positions in political science. After a prolonged gap of nearly five years, interviews were finally conducted from June 17 to June 21, 2025, with results announced on June 24. By July 4 of the same year, university-wise allotments were completed, and the list of recommended candidates was forwarded to the state government in early August.
However, since that time, these selected candidates have been navigating a frustrating maze of administrative hurdles. University authorities have largely ignored their pleas, often citing ongoing verification of teaching experience certificates as the primary reason for the delay. Ironically, only about 10 to 15% of these candidates were appointed based on experience, making this verification process seem disproportionately prolonged.
Human Impact and Age Concerns
The delay is not just a procedural issue; it has profound personal consequences for the aspirants. Candidates like Sanjay Kumar, Birendra Kumar, and Sunita Agrawal are approaching the age of 60, raising fears that any further postponement could leave them with less than five years of service in their assigned institutions. This uncertainty is causing significant mental distress among the group.
Adding to their frustration, they point out that state rural works minister Ashok Chaudhary, born in 1968, recently secured his posting at A N College under Patliputra University, highlighting disparities in the posting process.
University-Specific Challenges
While a handful of universities have managed to complete due screening and allowed teachers to join, six major institutions remain problematic:
- Patna University
- L N Mithila University
- Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University
- Munger University
- Jaya Prakash University
- Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University
These universities have yet to post the selected candidates in their colleges or postgraduate departments. When contacted, registrars defended the delays, noting that verifying experience certificates from various institutions is a time-consuming task. Shalini, the registrar of Patna University, mentioned that the acting vice-chancellor has sought the chancellor's permission to post teachers through a draw of lots, indicating further procedural complexities.
Appeal for Intervention
The aggrieved candidates have now appealed directly to the chancellor, urging immediate intervention to expedite the posting process. They argue that the prolonged delay is not only unfair but also exacerbates the existing teacher shortage, ultimately harming the quality of education for political science students across Bihar.
This situation underscores a critical gap in Bihar's higher education system, where high demand for a subject clashes with administrative inefficiencies, leaving both teachers and students in a state of uncertainty.
