Bihar Teacher Aspirants Demand STET Before TRE 4.0 as Recruitment Tension Rises

The issue centers on the mandatory STET qualification, a prerequisite for most teaching positions in Bihar, except for specific technical roles like computer teachers

A growing wave of discontent is sweeping through Bihar's teaching aspirants as the hashtag #STETBEFORETRE4 trends on X, with thousands demanding the immediate conduct of the Secondary Teacher Eligibility Test (STET) before the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) launches its TRE 4.0 recruitment drive, tentatively scheduled for July or August 2025.

The protest gained momentum following a powerful cartoon posted by @STETBEFORETRE4 on July 16, depicting a crowd of frustrated candidates facing a laughing official outside the gates of the Education Department and BSEB, symbolizing the prolonged delays that threaten the future of lakhs of job seekers.

With BPSC preparing to fill 1.6 lakh teaching posts, including unresolved vacancies from the previous TRE 3.0 cycle, and no confirmed STET schedule from the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB), the standoff has ignited a fierce debate over eligibility criteria and equitable opportunities.

The issue centers on the mandatory STET qualification, a prerequisite for most teaching positions in Bihar, except for specific technical roles like computer teachers, as clarified by biharhelp.in on May 28, 2025. Aspirants argue that without a timely STET, they risk being excluded from the upcoming TRE 4.0, which promises to be one of the largest recruitment drives in the state’s history.

The X thread, initiated by @STETBEFORETRE4, has garnered widespread support, with users like @abhishe93037508 and @NaveenKumarKau8 amplifying calls for action, tagging key officials including Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BSEB Chairman Anand Kishor.

One post by @Amitgolugupta30 urged authorities to "wake up from a Kumbhakarna-like sleep," reflecting the mounting exasperation among the youth.

BSEB Chairman Anand Kishor, however, has urged caution, advising candidates to rely solely on official updates and dismissing rumors. Meanwhile, BPSC has hinted at an imminent notification for TRE 4.0, with careerpower.in reporting on June 18, 2025, that the exam could address over 1.6 lakh vacancies, including primary, upper primary, secondary, and senior secondary teaching posts. The delay in scheduling STET has fueled speculation that the board may be aligning it with TRE 4.0 preparations, a move that has only heightened tensions among aspirants who have been preparing for months.

The eligibility criteria for STET, including a minimum age of 21 and a maximum of 37 with relaxations for reserved categories, as per the Bihar General Administration Department's Resolution No. 294 dated July 4, 2016, adds another layer of complexity. Many candidates, who meet these requirements, now face an uncertain wait, with some alleging that the lack of clarity is a deliberate tactic to favor certain groups.

As the clock ticks toward the anticipated TRE 4.0 timeline, the pressure is mounting on BSEB and BPSC to resolve the impasse. Education experts suggest that conducting STET in the coming weeks could restore confidence among aspirants, while a failure to act may lead to widespread protests. For now, the voices on X reflect a community on edge, determined to secure their right to compete fairly in one of Bihar’s most significant employment opportunities.