Patna High Court
Nitu KumariversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- ALOK KUMAR SINHA
Holding
The writ application is disposed of, granting the petitioners liberty to file a representation before the Director of Secondary Education within two weeks, with the representation to be decided within six weeks and a reasoned order to be issued within four weeks thereafter.
Summary
A group of 79 petitioners, all candidates of the Secondary Teacher Eligibility Test (STET‑2025), filed a writ petition seeking a mandamus directing the Bihar Education Department and the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) to fix the qualifying percentage as per Resolution No. 2374 (16‑07‑2007), to publish a revised result and answer key, and to grant them the marks they claim are correct. The petitioners offered to first file a representation before the Director of Secondary Education and asked the court to set a time‑frame for its disposal. The respondents raised no objection to this limited prayer. The Court, noting the procedural nature of the request, disposed of the writ by granting the petitioners liberty to file their representation within two weeks and directing the Director to decide it within six weeks, with a reasoned order to be communicated within four weeks thereafter. No substantive order on the merits of the qualifying percentage or result revision was made; the writ was simply closed pending the representation.
Issues considered
- Whether the qualifying percentage for STET‑2025 must be fixed in accordance with Resolution No. 2374 dated 16‑07‑2007.
- Whether the BSEB is obligated to publish a revised result and answer key for the petitioners.
- Whether a writ of mandamus can be issued directing the Education Department and BSEB to adopt the said qualifying percentage and revise the result.
- Whether the petitioners should first file a representation before the Director of Secondary Education and what procedural timeline is appropriate.
Subjects
- STET
- qualifying percentage
- mandamus
- writ jurisdiction
- education law
- Bihar School Examination Board
- administrative law
- representation
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.4944 of 2026
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1. Nitu Kumari D/o Krisna Sah, R/o Vill Khalpura Kamala, PO Gultenganj, PS
Mufassil, District Saran, Pin 841211.
2. Mohan Kumar, S/o- Arjun Mahto, R/o-Vill- Nima Kal, P.O.- Dand Khora,
P.S. Dand Khora, District-Katihar, Pin- 855114.
3. Ravi Kumar Sony, S/o- Binod Prasad Swarnkar, R/o- Vill- At and P.O.-
Tupkadih, P.S.- Balidih, District-Bokaro, Pin- 827010.
4. Md. Abdur Rahman, S/o- Md. Abdul Ghani, R/o- At and P.O.- Sanhoula,
P.S.- Sanhoula, District-Bhagalpur, Pin- 813225.
5. Md. Amin, S/o- Ainul Haque, R/o- At-Ekami Balua, P.O. Belsandi, P.S.
Gaunaha, District- West Champaran, Pin-845455.
6. Sridhar Pathak, S/o- Murlidhar Pathak, R/o- At- and P.O.- Lagunia
Raghukanth, P.S.- Samastipur, District-Samastipur, Pin-848101.
7. Krishna Nand Sahu, S/o- Lakhandra Sahu, R/o- Vill- Navbhran Ghat, P.O.-
Sahari, P.S.- Biroul, District-Darbhanga, Pin-847201.
8. Abhishek Kumar, S/o- Akshay Kumar, R/o- Vill- West Naya Chak, P.O.-
Manoharpur, P.S.- Ramkrishna Nager, District-Patna, Pin-800016.
9. Ravi Shankar Ram, S/o- Dharakshan Ram, R/o- Vill- Mirzapur, P.O.- Risiup,
P.S.- Risiup, District-Aurangabad, Pin-824102.
10. Salendra Kumar @ Shailendra Kumar, S/o- Binod Prasad Singh, R/o- Vill-
Bandoh, P.O.- Bhagan Bigha, P.S.- Ruhi, District-Nalanda, Pin- 803118.
11. Amit Kumar, S/o- Surendra Paswan, R/o- Vill- Amera, P.O.- Bhathar, P.S.-
Tharthari, District- Nalanda, Pin-801307.
12. Khushboo Kumari, D/o- Mahendra Singh, R/o- Vill- Gaurapur, P.O.- Kosh
Dihra, P.S.- Paras Bgha, District- Jahanabad, Pin- 804408.
13. Manoj Kumar Manjhi, S/o- Bahadur Manjhi, R/o- Vill- Pirari, P.O.- Pirari
Dih, P.S.- Derhi, District-Saran, Pin-841222.
14. Nasrin Rabbana D/o- Md. Zahid Hashmi, R/o- Vill- Simiriya, P.O.- Kajrali,
P.S. Kajrali, District-Bhagalpur, Pin-812005.
15. Raushan Kumar, S/o- Dilip Poddar, R/o-Vill- Laxminiya, P.O.- Sughrain,
P.S.-Kusheshwar Ashthan, District- Darbhanga, Pin-848213.
16. Navelesh Kumar @ Navalesh Kumar, S/o- Ramchandra Sah, R/o- Vill-
Rohuavirnayan, P.O. Prahladpur, P.S. Mushari, District- Muzaffarpur, Pin-
843119.
17. Sweety Kumari, D/o- Bhagwat Mandal, R/o- Vill- Sour Bazar, P.O.- Sour
Bazar, P.S.- Sour Bazar, District-Saharsa, Pin-852221.
18. Divya Kumar, D/o Sailesh Kumar, R/o Vill Sahajahanpur, PO Benibigha, PS
Bikram, District Patna Pin 801104.
19. Nisha Sinha, D/o- Yugal Kishor Sinha, R/o- At and P.O.- Sanduari, P.S.-
Hajipur, District- Vaishali, Pin-844124.
20. Kiran Kumari, D/o- Ramdhahin Prasad Singh, R/o- Vill- Bichha, P.O.-
Wazirganj, P.S.- Rajwara, District- Gaya, Pin-805131.
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21. Prawesh Kumar, S/o- Sukalu Ram, R/o-At and P.O.- Akodhi, P.S.-
Mohaniya, District- Kaimur, Pin-821109.
22. Amit Kumar, S/o- Rampukar Ray, R/o-Vill- Bajarmara, P.O. Talimapur, P.S.-
Jamu Bazar, District-Siwan, Pin-841407.
23. Vijay Kumar Mandal, S/o- Virendra Prasad Mandal, R/o- Vill- Baratola,
P.O.-Kariho, P.S.- Supaul, District- Supaul, Pin-852131.
24. Manish Kumar Ray @ Manish Kumar Roy, S/o- Kapildeo Ray, R/o- At and
P.O.- Sansa, P.S.- Daudnagar, District- Aurangabad, Pin-824143.
25. Kundan Kumar Mishra, S/o- Harikant Mishra, R/o- Vill- Pattitola, P.O.-
Kothiya, P.S.- Bhairabh Ashthan, District- Madhubani, Pin- 847404.
26. Khushboo Kumari, D/o- Umesh Prasad Sah, R/o- At and P.O.- Pratapganj,
P.S.- Pratapganj, District-Supaul, Pin-852125.
27. Archana Kumari, D/o- Gaurishankar Choudhary, R/o- Vill- Swarshiti Nager,
Ward No.06, P.O.- Saharsa, P.S.- Saharsa, District- Saharsa, Pin-852201.
28. Pinki Kumari, D/o- Ramadhar Ram, R/o- At and P.O.- Taraon, P.S.-
Nasriganj, District- Rohtas, Pin-821310.
29. Neeraj Kumar, S/o- Rajbanshi Paswan, R/o- Vill- Mundichak, P.O.-
Saidabad, P.S. Kako, District-Jahanabad, Pin-804417.
30. Khushnuma Warsi, D/o- Sultan Ahmad, R/o- At and P.O.- Sasaram, P.S.-
Sasaram, District- Rohtas, Pin-821115.
31. Nilu Kumari, D/o- Jaychandra Yadav, R/o- Vill- Khajuarwara, P.O.-
Jahangirtola, P.S.- Kamtaul, District-Darbhanga, Pin-847303.
32. Avinash Kumar Singh, S/o- Birendra Singh, R/o- Vill- Sawan Bigrah, P.O.
Maharajganj, P.S.-Duraundha, District- Siwan, Pin-841238.
33. Shiv Kumar, S/o- Mahendra Das, R/o-Vill- rajopur, P.O. Aigani, P.S.-
Chhaurahi, District- Begusarai, Pin-848204.
34. Manish Kumar, S/o- Subhash Prasad Sah, R/o- At and P.O.- Belhar, P.S.-
Belhar, District- Banka, Pin-813202.
35. Sintu Kumar, S/o- Surendra Prasad Yadav, R/o- Vill- Jaiprakash Nager, P.O.-
Madhepura, P.S.-Madhepura, District- Madhepura, Pin-852113.
36. Deepak Kumar, S/o- Ramsagar Singh, R/o- Vill- rupnarayanpur, P.O.-
Chakhaji, P.S. Karpurigram, District- Samastipur, Pin-848115.
37. Khushboo Kumari, D/o- Santosh Dangi, R/o- At and P.O.- Kurmawan, P.S.-
Barachatti, District- Gaya, Pin-824201.
38. Nirita Kumari, D/o- Dhanusdhari Dangi, R/o- At and P.O.- Kurmawan, P.S.-
Barachatti, District- Gaya, Pin-824201.
39. Md. Murgub Alam, S/o- Md. Qamruddin Shekh, R/o- Vill- Nehuta, P.O.
Chilim, P.S. Dobhi, District-Gaya, Pin-824211.
40. Govind Kumar, S/o- Koushal Kishore Mehara, R/o- Vill- Bhatauni, P.O.
Bansh Gopal, P.S.- Puraini, District- Madhepura, Pin- 852213.
41. Arun Kumar Yadav, S/o- Arjun Yadav, R/o- Vill- Khem Bhatkam
Narendrapur, P.O.- Narendrapur, P.S. Andar, District- Siwan, Pin-841446.
42. Shashi Ranjan, S/o- Fuldeo Ram, R/o-Vill- Dharhari, P.O.- Chaurdano, P.S.-
Patna High Court CWJC No.4944 of 2026(2) dt.09-04-2026
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Chauradano, District- East Champaran, Pin-845302.
43. Shyam Kishor Choudhary, S/o-Rajeshwar choudhary, R/o- Vill- Kaparpura,
P.O.- Chhapra, P.S.-Kanti, District- Muzaffarpur, Pin-843108.
44. Imran Ali, S/o- Manzoor Ahemad, R/o- Vill- Bhopatpur, P.O.- Bagani Bazar,
P.S.- Kateya, District-Gopalganj, Pin- 841441.
45. Ajit Kumar Panday, S/o- Ram Ayodhya Panday, R/o- Vill- Pandeydih, P.O.-
Kumhaila, P.S.- Charpokhari, District- Bhojpur, Pin- 802223.
46. Khushboo Kumari, D/o- Ashok Kumar Singh, R/o- Vill- Balha, P.O.-
Parsoni, P.S. Parsoni, District- Sitamarhi, Pin- 843325.
47. Abhay Raj, S/o- Umesh Baitha, R/o-Vill- Pokhara Mohalla Hajipur, P.O.-
Hajipur, P.S.- Town Hajipur, District- Vaishali, Pin- 844101.
48. Pushpa Sandhya, D/o- Dilip Kumar Singh R/o- Vill- Nand Gaon, P.O.-
Lalbahadur Shashtri Nager, P.S.- Lalbhadur Shashtri Nager, District- Patna,
Pin-800023.
49. Md. Aatif, S/o- Najmal Hassan, R/o- At and P.O.- Garhani, P.S.- Charpokhri,
District- Bhojpur, Pin- 802203.
50. Bibha Kumari @ Bhibha Kumari, D/o- Anil Kumar, R/o-At and P.O.- Gurua,
P.S.- Gurua, District- Gaya, Pin- 824205.
51. Anirban Mandal, S/o- Utpal Kumar Gope Mandal, R/o- Vill- Manbal
Purelia, P.O.- Tedda, P.S.-Manbazar, District- Purelia, Pin-723131.
52. Vimal Kumar Jha, S/o- Mahesh Jha, R/o- Vill- Prem Nager, P.O.- Sugauli,
P.S.- Sugauli, District- East Champaran, Pin-845456.
53. Gyanu Kumar, S/o- Arun Kumar Choudhary, R/o- Vill- Gangaili, P.O.
Maharajganj-2, P.S.-Banmankhi, District- Purnia, Pin- 854202.
54. Krishna Kumar, S/o- Kamleshwari Rajak, R/o- At and P.O.- Samaspur, P.S.-
Maheshkhunt, District-Khagariya, Pin- 851213.
55. Prince Kumar, S/o- Birendra Kumar, R/o- Vill- Dhrubganj, P.O.- Kharik
Bazar, P.S.- Kharik Bazar, District- Bhagalpur, Pin- 853202.
56. Ashit Ranjan, S/o- Narayan Prasad, R/o-Vill- Mahuwa Mukundpur, P.O.-
Mahuwa, P.S.- Mahuwa, District-Vaishali, Pin- 844122.
57. Munna Kumar, S/o- Naresh Mochi, R/o-Vill- Sritala, P.O.- Fathepur, P.S.-
Gaurichak, District- Patna, Pin-803211.
58. Ram Pratap Thakur, S/o- Indrasan Thakur, R/o- Vill- Dhobighat Biratnager,
P.O.- Gajadhar Ganj, P.S.- Buxar, District- Buxar, Pin-802103.
59. Ghanshyam Bahadur Singh, S/o-Harishankar Singh, R/o- Vill- Bhagesar,
P.O.- Gajani Bhagesar, P.S.- Koraon, District- Prayagraj, Pin- 212306.
60. Kumari Amisha Bharti, D/o- Niranjan Prasad, R/o- Vill- Narayanpur, P.O.
Bansdih, P.S.- Tharthari, District- Nalanda, Pin- 801307.
61. Mukesh Kumar, S/o- Teshlal Saw, R/o-At and P.O.- Akhgaon, P.S. Sandesh,
District- Bhojpur, Pin-802161.
62. Shailendra Prasad, S/o- Gagnath Prasad, R/o- Vill- Khori Pakar Nilmi, P.O.-
Paltuhatta, P.S.- Jomo Bazar, District- Siwan, Pin-841413.
63. Rima Kumari @ Reena Kumari, D/o- Sheo Poojan Chaudhary, R/o- Vill-
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Semra Nanhakar, P.O.- Bishunpur Patty, P.S.- Sahebganj, District-
Muzaffarpur, Pin- 843125.
64. Puja Raj, D/o- Kaushal Kumar Yadav, R/o- At and P.O.- Dhanuja, P.S.-
Phulpras, District- Madhubani, Pin-847409.
65. Ajay Kumar, S/o- Sunil Prasad Mahto, R/o- Vill- Mahedev Nager, P.O.-
Shekhpura, P.S.- Shekhpura, District- Shekhpura, Pin- 811105.
66. Srikant Kumar, S/o- Ram Pravesh Sharma, R/o- Vill- Eru, P.O.- Sahiya, P.S.
Wazirganj, District-Gaya, Pin-805153.
67. Sarita Kumari, D/o- Yogendra Singh, R/o- At and P.O.- Mirpur Juara, P.S.
Awatar Nager, District-Chhapra Saran, Pin-841216.
68. Pooja Kumari, D/o- Mahendra Prasad Gupta, R/o- Vill- Gajrarh, P.O.-
Sasaram, P.S.- Sasaram, District-Rohtas, Pin-821115.
69. Somiya Kumari, D/o- Ramanand Prasad, R/o- Vill- Beldnana, P.O.-
Nursarai, P.S.- Chandi, District-Nalanda, Pin-803113.
70. Jancy Kumari, D/o- Naresh Prasad, R/o- Vill- Abumahadmadpur, P.O.-
Bakhtiyarpur, P.S.-Bakhtiyarpur, District- Patna, Pin- 803212.
71. Ajeet Kumar Ganesh, S/o- Makhan Lal Ganesh, R/o- Vill- Dhobibhitta, P.O.-
Pathamari, P.S.- Kurlicort, District- Kishanganj, Pin-855116.
72. Golu Kumar Panday, S/o- Devendra Panday, R/o- Vill- Ghusyar, P.O.-
Dariyapur, P.S.- Sangrampur, District- East Champaran, Pin- 845417.
73. Md. Dilshad Alam, S/o- Md. Masood Alam, R/o- Vill- Salimpur, P.O.-
Noorpur, P.S.- Baruni, District-Begusarai, Pin- 851210.
74. Vikas Kumar, S/o- Gajanand Singh, R/o- Vill- Karmabigha, P.O.- Brauli,
P.S.- Janhor, District-Aurangabad, Pin-824124.
75. Sunita Kumari, D/o- Shiv Kumar Yadav, R/o- At and P.O.- Jamuawan, P.S.-
Daudnagar, District-Aurangabad, Pin-824143.
76. Priyanka Kumari @ Prayanka Kumari, D/o- Satyanarayan Sah, R/o- Vill-
Dhanuli, P.O.- Ghatora, P.S.- Kartaha, District-Vaishali, Pin-844119.
77. Kumari Pallavi, D/o- Parmanand Paswan, R/o- Vill- Amba, P.O.- Bairampur,
P.S.- Biraul, District-Darbhanga, Pin-848209.
78. Shesh Nath Prasad Gupta, S/o- Chanchal Sah, R/o- Vill- Raibati Mahuawa,
P.O.- Jharmaahui, P.S.-Chuttarwa, District- West Champaran, Pin- 845003.
79. Anuradha Kumari, D/o- Ghanshyam Prasad, R/o- At and P.O. Bhutauli, P.S.
Chautha, District-Khagariya, Pin-851201.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar through the Principal Secretary, Education Department,
Government of Bihar, Patna.
2. The Director Secondary Education, Education Department, Government of
Bihar, Patna.
3. The Chairman, Bihar School Examination Board, Patna.
Patna High Court CWJC No.4944 of 2026(2) dt.09-04-2026
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4. The Secretary, Bihar School Examination Board, Patna.
5. The Examination Controller (STET-2025), Bihar School Examination
Board, Patna.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Sita Ram Prasad, Adv.
For the Respondent/s : Mr. Standing Counsel (15)
Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Adv. AC to SC-15
For BSEB : Mr. P.K. Shahi, Sr. Adv.
Mr. Gyan Shankar, Adv.
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ALOK KUMAR SINHA
ORAL ORDER
2 09-04-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioners, learned
counsel for respondent-State and learned counsel for Bihar
School Examination Board, Patna.
2. With the consent of the parties the present writ
application is disposed of at this stage.
3. In the present writ application the petitioners have
prayed for the grant of following reliefs:
“(i) Issuance of a direction,
order or writ, including writ in the
nature of mandamus commanding the
concerned respondent authorities
under the Education Department and
Bihar School Examination Board,
Bihar, Patna to fixed/adopt the
qualifying percentage given in the
resolution No.2374 dated 16.07.2007
of the General Administration
Department because in the concern
guidelines dated 01.09.2025 and
advertisement No. PR 218/2025 dated
09.09.2025 of the STET-2025 exam,
the qualifying percentage is to be fixed
as per the above resolution and
further order to qualify petitioners.
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(ii) Issuance of a direction,
order or writ, including writ in the
nature of mandamus commanding the
concerned respondent authorities
under the Education Department and
Bihar School Examination Board,
Bihar, Patna to published revised
result of the petitioners in connection
with advertisement no. PR 218/2025
Secondary Teacher Eligibility Test
(STET-2025) paper-I and paper-II
because the answer marked by the
petitioners are correct as per the
reference book/NCERT publication
whereas, the same answer is being
declared wrong by the Bihar School
Examination Board and whose
number has not been assigned to the
petitioners.
(iii) Issuance of a direction,
order or writ, including writ in the
nature of mandamus commanding the
concerned respondent Bihar School
Examination Board and its
examination department, 10 release
the revised/final answer key from
which the petitioners booklet has been
marked.
(iv) And for any other
appropriate relief(s) as per the facts
and circumstances of the case.”
4. After advancing some argument, learned counsel
for the petitioners submits that for seeking the aforesaid relief,
the petitioners are prepared to file a representation before the
respondent no.2 i.e. the Director, Secondary Education,
Education Department, Government of Bihar, Patna and prays
that an appropriate direction be issued to the respondent no.2 to
Patna High Court CWJC No.4944 of 2026(2) dt.09-04-2026
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dispose of the representation within a fixed time frame, after
giving an opportunity of hearing to the petitioners.
5. To the aforesaid submission made by learned
counsel for the petitioners, learned counsel appearing for
respondents-State and Bihar School Examination Board do not
have any objection.
6. Considering the limited nature of prayer made by
learned counsel for the petitioners, this writ application is
disposed of granting liberty to the petitioners to to file separate
representations before the respondent no.2 that is the Director,
Secondary Education, Education Department, Government of
Bihar, Patna within two weeks from today. If such
representations are received, the same shall be disposed of by
respondent no.2 within a further period of six weeks, after
giving an opportunity of hearing to the petitioners.
7. Needless to emphasize that the final order which
shall be passed by respondent no.2 should be a reasoned and
speaking order and in case the petitioners are found entitled to
the relief, which the petitioners would be claiming through their
separate representations, the same should be extended to the
petitioners within a further period of four weeks from the date
of passing of the final order by the respondent no.2.
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8. With the aforesaid observation, direction and
liberty granted the present writ application stands disposed of.
Pending I.As, if any will be deemed to have been disposed of.
(Alok Kumar Sinha, J)
Prakash Narayan
U
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